DAVAO CITY —Mayor Ernesto Evangelista of Sto. Tomas town in Davao del Norte has bankrolled its training on meat slaughtering program in partnership Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for Tomasinos who want to land a job abroad.
Evangelista said his administration began the implementation of the training after TESDA-Davao del Norte has approved the Santo Tomas LGU’s proposal earlier this month.
Under the Evangelista administration’s “Aksyon Sa Kabuhayan” program, local residents will be trained to perform Butchery/Meat Cutting as part of the Santo Tomas LGU’s job-creation program which is expected to help Tomasinos who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Naningkamot kita na makahatag og training sa katong gusto mugawas abroad. Mapasalamaton ang Santo Tomas LGU sa TESDA kay natuman ang atong gipangayo na training para sa mga Tomasinong gusto mahimong OFW. Kining butchery training mao kini ang first batch na gihatag na slot sa TESDA og kina himuon by batches para ang tanan naay equal opportunity na maapil sa training,” Evangelista said Monday, July 26.
There were 20 beneficiaries of the program who went through a program orientation on TESDA’s Butchery/Meat Cutting.
The Santo Tomas LGU through the auspices of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) headed by Ms. Joy Gonzaga, Municipal Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office headed by its manager Mr. Gary Recto, and with the TESDA conducted the orientation on Slaughter Operation Virtual Orientation last July 15, 2021 at Municipal Covered Court, Santo Tomas Davao del Norte.
According to PESO’s Joy Gonzaga, the short term course is intended for the acquisition of skills and training on how to expertly perform Butchery/Meat Cutting that are considered livestock like Pork, chicken and beef which will be purposively done for food. The course would also include butchering that follows Dhabiha Halal procedures.
Gonzaga said the 20 beneficiaries had been profiled last year and they have to complete the 35-day training at the LGU-owned Slaughter House in Brgy. Bobongon which will be supervised by New Orleans as the program service provider.
For her part, Municipal Administrator Atty. Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña said the Evangelista administration would also request other trainings that are suited for the employment needs of Tomasinos who want to work abroad.
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the livelihood of Tomasinos, Lapiña said the Evangelista administration is more determined to push through with the implementation of livelihood projects and programs to boost local economic growth and provide employment to many Tomasinos who have been rendered jobless.