LEGAZPI CITY - “Bangon Bikol” was launched Tuesday at the Albay Astrodome here by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in cooperation with the Filipino Hairdresser Cooperative (Filhair CoOp) as the main convenor of the multi-skills projects.

Photo Caption: CROSSING PARTY LINE. Naga City Councilor Julian Lavadia shakes the hand of DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral as CSur Vice Governor Salvio Fortuno and hairstylist Ricky Reyes look on during the launching of Bangon Bicol.


        The official launching of the Bangon Bicol Skills Training project was led by DSWD Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral and well-known hairdresser Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Reyes, president of Filhair CoOp.

        DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said Bangon Bicol project will enhance the capacity of the beneficiaries to engage in gainful employment and eventually become self-reliant and move on from their situation brought by the disaster that hit the Bicol region.

        Under the project, the DSWD will provide the beneficiaries with capital assistance through its Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program to start their livelihood project.

        Through the livelihood project Bicolanos were offered seven free training courses that will arm them with different skills, which in turn, would give them the opportunity to earn money.

        Reyes told residents of this city and from the towns of Daraga and Guinobatan who attended the project launching that “it’s enough with dole-outs. It’s enough with relief goods. We need to survive and stand on our own two feet”

        Reyes brought along a team of expert trainers from Metro Manila who would equip 2,000 Bicolanos with the different skills required in the different trades. “They will not stop until you have learned the skills.”

        Cabral urged the enrollees to the training courses to put their utmost dedication to learning the skills, telling them of the wide opportunities to give them.

        The Bangon Bicol Skills Training project offers tracing on Home Care or-Housekeeping, Hotel and Restaurant Services, Food Technology, Massage. Hair Cutting, Computer and Cell Phone Repair and Commercial Bread Making.

        A commercial bread making machine arid equipment needed in the two-week training were viewed by Albay Governor Fernando V. Gonzalez and Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal.

        The two officials thanked the project organizers for the concern to Bicolanos, who are reeling from the devastation brought about by typhoon Reming. (CLMartinez, DSWD/MSArguelles, PIA)