BORONGAN CITY, June 3 (PIA) – – The Agrikultura at Kabuhayan tungo sa Kaunlaran at Pangkapayapaan (AKKAP) program of the TF ELCAC-Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) led by TESDA continues to implement the program that will benefit 150 scholars in conflict-stricken barangays.

The TF-ELCAC-PRLEC launched the AKKAP program on May 26, 2021 in Brgy. Pinanag-an, and on May 27, 2021, in Brgy. Benowangan and Brgy. Hebacong, Borongan City.

Dr. Antonio C. Waniwan, TESDA provincial director, said that through Executive Order No. 70 of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte, the whole-of-nation approach mandates to deliver the government services to the identified conflict-stricken barangays.

He added that some 150 scholars who were identified as beneficiaries of TESDA will benefit from the said program.

The scholars will benefit from the TESDA program Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).

They will be trained by TESDA through the different courses starting May 27, 2021. For Bread and Pastry – NC-II there are 25 scholars for 18 days from Brgy. Baras, Borongan City. As to Organic Agriculture Production – NC-II some 25 scholars for 20 days come from Brgy. Patag, Maydolong, E. Samar.

Another Bread and Pastry – NC-II course will have 25 scholars for 18 days from Brgy. Pinanag-an, Borongan City. Another 25 scholars will study Animal Production – (Poultry Chicken) – NC-II for 29 days from Sitio Bagong Barrio, Brgy. Pinanag-an, Borongan City.

Meanwhile, in Brgy. Benowangan they have 25 scholars for Animal Production (Swine) – NC- II to be trained for 39 days while Brgy. Hebacong has 25 scholars for Dressmaking to be trained for 35 days.

In his message during the launching, Dr. Waniwan said that the skills they learned from TESDA are for a lifetime.

“The skills you learn will be used for your future. It can be for self- employment, for livelihood, or for wage employment.”

“The concept of the said training is a training with output, if there is an output that is already your source of income,” Dr. Waniwan added.

TESDA is the lead agency of the TF ELCAC-PRLEC – it will give P5,000.00 for the instructional materials, Protective Personal Equipment (PPEs), Internet Allowance of P500.00, and a Daily Living Allowance of P160.00.

The Philippine Army (PA) is the one who identified the barangays.

Dr. Waniwan said that in Borongan there are nine barangays and one sitio that are identified by the army.

These are Pinanag-an, Baras, Benowangan, Hebacong, Canyupay, Banuyo, San Andres Lower, San Mateo, San Gabriel, and Sitio Bagong Barrio while in Maydolong town, there are two barangays, Brgy. Patag and Canluterio.

In an interview with PIA, Ms. Judy Ann D. Casimo, one of the scholars from Barangay Baras said she wants to learn bread and pastry making.

On the other hand, Brgy. Captain Nelly D. Andia of Brgy. Pinanag-an, a far-flung barangay of Borongan City said, that for so many years their barangay is considered a ‘land of promise’ as politicians never deliver their promises, but with the PRLEC’s return after two months, the promise has finally been delivered.

“The government  is already here in our barangay to deliver the government services especially the livelihood program to my poor constituents,” Andia said.

The Punong Barangay is very thankful to the different agencies who came to deliver the government services especially TESDA who leads the PRLEC.

Some members of the PRLEC such as DTI, DAR, DA, DepEd, PIA, and PA gave their commitment of support to the AKKAP program.

AKKAP is a five-year development project that started in July 2020 until July 2025.