Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) 2030 partnership between Dualtech and Lao Foundation extends to communities in Mindanao

Dualtech Center and Lao Foundation have expanded their partnership to bring opportunities to students in Ozamiz City and Marawi. The team met with local leaders, educators, and advocates from the Zero Extreme Poverty 2030 (ZEP2030) movement to discuss how training in Electromechanics Technology could open new doors for these communities. Through career talks, scholars’ success stories, scholarships, and partnerships, the team demonstrated that with the right support, dreams can indeed become reality.

From April 17 to 20, 2024, Dualtech Center conducted career talks in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, and Marawi, Lanao del Sur. The team engaged with key LGU and DepEd officials, as well as ZEP2030 Local Convenors in Lanao del Sur, to explore potential collaboration on training and scholarships in Electromechanics Technology. This visit provided students with insights into the program and encouraged them to consider a career in this field.

In Ozamiz City, where ZEP2030 scholars graduated from high school, Dualtech Center and Lao Foundation, Inc. visited Jose Lim Ho National High School. Here, they conducted a career orientation for Senior High School (SHS) learners about the Electromechanics Technology program. Dr. Jean Alindo, the principal of Jose Lim Ho NHS, welcomed the team, along with two Dualtech graduates who had once been students at the school. These graduates, now holding stable jobs after their training, returned to share their success stories, inspiring current students to consider following a similar path.
James Manunday and Joseph Cebedo, LAO Foundation scholars under the ZEP2030 program, shared their experiences at Dualtech and its company partners. They emphasized that with determination and the right opportunities, a brighter future is within reach for the students. Their stories resonated with the learners, offering a glimpse of what they could achieve through hard work and perseverance.

Further showcasing the success of the program, Dualtech and Lao Foundation, Inc. collaborated on a project in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, to document the success stories of Joseph Cebedo and James Manunday. During the filming, Joseph’s mother, Teresita M. Cebedo, shared heartfelt words, recalling her son’s past struggles—from skipping classes to being labeled the family’s “bugoy” or black sheep. Now, he has transformed into a supportive son who contributes to his family’s finances.

Early last year, everyone got to glimpse the story of James: of how he started working at a young age to support his studies, and finally leave home to be a Dualtech scholar. At that time, he was looking forward to finish his training in Cummins Sales and Service Philippines, and expressed his gratitude for his scholarship grant from Lao Foundation, Inc. under Zero Extreme Poverty 2030. Recently, the dream of James graduating finally became reality, but was clouded over as James and his family came to terms with his mother’s sudden passing away. James’ story will soon appear in an AVP courtesy of Dualtech and LFI. It truly is an important feature that aspires to share hope and perseverance into the lives of many youth.

Building solidarity in Marawi through ZEP2030, Dualtech and Lao Foundation, Inc. visited Lanao del Norte in coordination with the Lanao ZEP2030 Convergence and met with ECOWEB to initiate the ZEP2030 partnership in Marawi, Lanao del Sur. During this meeting, the team also connected with other ZEP2030 members, such as Lombay Ka Marawi and the IMCC Center for Community Extension & Social Development Services, Inc. Zero Extreme Poverty 2030 is a long-running advocacy supported by various public and private sector representatives committed to alleviating poverty in the country.

After the meeting with ECOWEB, the team proceeded to Marawi, Lanao del Sur, to meet SHS learners from four schools. The city, largely destroyed by armed conflict in 2017, continues to face significant challenges. However, thanks to the dedication of generous stakeholders, many are ready to pay forward the valuable opportunities they have received, helping to rebuild the community.