Palawan Gov. Socrates tours Dualtech, encourages over a hundred Palawan scholars to set good example

Palawan Gov. Dennis Socrates visited Dualtech on February 19, 2024 to observe the progress of the province’s Electromechanics Technology scholars, as well as toured the school and got updates on the current scholars. As of February, the scholars were already the sixth batch so far from the province’s program called the “SPS Alay sa Kabataan- Programang Pang-Edukasyon para sa Palaweño” Program.

The delegation from Palawan LGU met scholars from d different municipalities in Palawan such as Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Sofronio Española, Bataraza, Aborlan, Narra, Roxas, San Vicente and Dumaran. Their ages range from 18 to 30, and many of which were out of school youth. The visitors witnessed and interviewed the trainees while they were actively engaged in mechanical, automation, welding, electrical, and electronic activities. Later, during the get-together which was attended by over a hundred scholars, the students were thankful how training at Dualtech gave them a new sense of direction, and not just that it was a means to help their families back in the province.

According to SPS program manager Ms. Maria Victoria Baaco, the Electromechanics Scholars are projected to complete the course within two years, wherein the provincial government will subsidize the training fees, accommodation and food for six months. After six months the trainees will undergo OJT and will be able to earn the appropriate allowances.

Many of these Palawan trainees and scholars wrote about their individual stories. Mark Francis Abayan began his written testimony by describing his family’s financial struggles in the past years: “It was hard for me and my brother to find money for our schooling, and that is why I have been working since high school and college. When I was in college I had to spend time as a part-time worker in construction projects, or to be a helper in canteens and in supermarkets to continue going to school. Midway through college I had to divert my savings for the needs of my mother and brother. At some point I even went to Manila to find work as a merchandiser in the supermarkets, and I even became a call center agent. But my mind was always on finding a way to go back to school. I’m thankful for the scholarship which came when it was most needed.”

Raymond Haro not only shared how thankful he was for the scholarship and for Dualtech, but he gave his own insights of the struggle to stay focused despite the pressure of poverty: “I’m so lucky that I was one of those other scholars for the SPS scholarship program by the Palawan provincial government…  Being poor is not easy because you can get exhausted thinking of so many things. I have no choice because I need to try to take care of so many things as much as possible to pay bills. I learned how to be a responsible and prudent person… Overthinking is the biggest waste of time and human energy, and spending time wondering ‘what if..?’ ”

Jayvie Sumagaysay ended his own narrative with the goal of securing a diploma, but he also shared that he was motivated by the need to make up for lost time when he did not take seriously high school and his past scholarship: “I am really remorseful and have so much regrets about all my wrongdoings when I wasted all my time as a student. When I learned about the scholarship from the government I did not hesitate anymore and I applied but when I was about to leave, I really felt sad having to leave my family but then I assured them that they’re just time around I will do my best to study and I will return home with my diploma.”

Gov. Socrates encouraged even newer batch of scholars in March 2024 before they were accompanied to Manila. That new group will soon be echoing the hopeful words Mark, Jayvie, Raymond and so many others, as they “persevere in exchange for the generous help received.”