ZAMBOANGA CITY — Some 20 persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs) underwent a Social Preparation and Entrepreneurial training initiated by the Employees Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit IX (ECC REU 9) last September 24, 2019 at the Department of Labor & Employment IX Office, Zamboanga City.

The training forms part of ECC’s “Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang May Kapansanan” or KaGaBay Program which is an assistance project to PWRDs which provides vocational skills and entrepreneurial training and other assistance that will allow PWRDs to find employment or self-employment.

“It is vital for the PWRD-beneficiaries to undergo this training so as to sustain the said livelihood projects that they will undertake. Thus we encouraged the participants to put to heart all the knowledge they can get from the training,” shared DOLE 9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo during her opening remarks.

Program Manager, Mr. Mark Madarang, shared that the training is in preparation for the livelihood cash assistance of P 20,000.00 each which will be provided to the beneficiaries after complying with requirements.

ECC 9 invited Mr. Ricardo J. Apolinario III, Science Research Specialist from the Department of Science and Technology to equip the beneficiaries with valuable know-how on starting a business.

Most of the beneficiaries intend to delve into the following livelihood projects – trading (commissary store), agri-business, manufacturing and provision of services. END