NGCP to fund TESDA’s drug rehab program

By Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 26, 2017 - 12:00am

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/11/26/1762445/ngcp-fund-tesdas-drug-rehab-program

MANILA, Philippines — Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is spending P10 million to fund the skills development training of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for reforming drug users.

NGCP is providing assistance to recovering drug users by giving them a second chance at life through its Bukas na Pintuan Tungo sa Pagbabago (“Open Door Towards Change”) program.

NGCP has allocated a P10 million for the program in 2017 and 2018, which will go towards funding the operational expenses and the supplies and materials needed for the skills development training under TESDA.

It will also cover the honoraria of the program trainers and the assessment fee of the trainees to acquire National Certification II (NC II) in Scaffolding Erection and Pipefitting.

The program, as envisioned by NGCP president Henry Sy Jr., is to develop skills training and employment opportunities and address the need for more skilled workers in the country, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said.

Under the program, NGCP aims to have up to 2,100 program beneficiaries over the two-year period.

 “Our end-goal is for the beneficiaries to become TESDA-certified, so that they have a better chance of securing viable employment and livelihood opportunities,” NGCP said.

In 2015, the National Anti-Poverty Commission said around 26 percent or one in four of the 2.3 million drug users in the Philippines are unemployed, based on figures from the Dangerous Drugs Board in 2015

To date, information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reveals there are already 1.2 million drug users who have voluntarily turned themselves in for rehabilitation.

NGCP said it would work closely with the local government units of the host municipalities to identify the beneficiaries, and coordinate with TESDA for the training programs and the Public Employment Service Office for the employment of the program graduates.

By working closely with the LGUs, NGCP can also closely monitor the skills training and the employment status of the beneficiaries. This, in turn, will strengthen the grid operator’s partnership with the LGUs of its host communities.

The program will initially be piloted in Bataan, supporting the Bahay Pagbabago Reformation Centers of the provincial government of Bataan, which were designed to actively help former drug dependents who have voluntarily surrendered for rehabilitation.

Bukas na Pintuan’s pilot projects will be implemented in three Bahay Pagbabago Reformation Centers located in the municipalities of Dinalupihan, Orion and Balanga City.