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Partnerships Against Poverty

ovpA project to provide the participants with technical vocational skills to boost their employment opportunities and improve the quality of life and that of their families.

Last June, there was a MOA signing ceremony and Launch of the Angat Buhay Youth (ABY) Upskill Program. The event was held virtually among the Office of the Vice-President (OVP), Dualtech Training Center (www.dualtech.org.ph) and ING Bank. The project would not have materialized had it not been for “a pitch by Vice-President Leni Robredo” to many corporate institutions in several fora about Dualtech’s program,Mr. Arnolfo Morfe, President of Dualtech mentioned.

ABY is a program that aims to mobilize the Filipino youths to join the fight against poverty. ABY, acts as a conduit through which partnerships may be forged like the Duatlech-ING tie-up. With the three offices working together, “the youth will be able to acquire the skills and support needed to implement development projects for local communities” (ABY primer).

Mr. Morfe couldn’t be more pleased with the ABY partnership project. He cited that the OVP was “not bothered by some hiccups on previous attempts” on poverty alleviation projects. He thanked ING Bank for becoming “another pillar of support” in the renewed endeavor. Lastly Mr. Morfe praised the heroism of the OVP and ING. They have not stopped and have been even more generous in investing on the youth. Heroic efforts in spite of the on-going health crisis.

For his part, Mr. Hans B. Sicat, Chairman and President of ING Foundation and, ING Bank Country Manager stated “This partnership with Dualtech aligns with our vision by providing the participants with technical vocational skills to boost their employment opportunities and improve the quality of life and that of their families.”

Overjoyed with the project was Vice-President Leni Robredo. “This is one project that gives me a lot of fulfilment.” VP Robredo exclaimed. Her office returns to Dualtech because of the better-than-expected results of previous scholars who graduated from the school. She was witness to the scholars’ transformation as she had a chat with them before and after their schooling. “When they became scholars of Dualtech, the training was not only in skills but overall.” she observed. “Naka-kausap mo bawat isa may pagmamahal na sa sarili at may pride. Pride not just in the work they are doing already but pride in the persons they have become. Because of the training.” VP Robredo continues.

The OVPs partnership with Dualtech not only taught the scholars the skills and competencies needed for employment but also built character. In her words, “It was a very good investment in the sense that when the scholars get their on the job training and finally get employed, yung nagbabagong buhay hindi lang sa kanila, but their family and the community as well…Ito yung investment na hindi sayang. “Hindi sayang” because when you talked to them, they [have] become different person already.”

In the eyes of Vice-President Robredo, the character formation of the scholars was a big bonus. She repeated the words of scholar Renz Talha, from Veruela, Agusan del Sur, referring to the character transformation of the scholars as: “binihisan kami.” A figurative yet graphic description of what Renz went through to be a better person.

Renz is already employed and he reinforced the impression of the Vice-President. What stuck to him during his education at Dualtech was “pinaka best sa lahat, mapapalapit ka sa Panginoon.” He adds the motto of Dualtech, Virtue and Work, “isa-puso ang tatak Dualtech.”

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