The women beneficiaries of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program in Almeria, Biliran underwent plumbing and masonry training courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In a statement on Friday, Jan. 27, DSWD said that the skills training program targeted to remove the prejudice toward women and increase their involvement in construction work since it is one of Kalahi-CIDSS' sub-projects for the community.
"In Almeria, it was noted that the participation of women, especially in the implementation of sub-projects was low as construction work was seen to be the role of men," it added.
The beneficiaries received capacity-building and scholarship grants for the training of skills deemed to be only fit for men through a signed partnership among DSWD, TESDA, and the local government unit (LGU) of Almeria.
"All the trainees passed the National Competencies Level II (NC II) Exam administered by TESDA. They have demonstrated competence in all units of competency and became certified plumbers in their barangay," DSWD said.
Upon completion of the training, Kalahi-CIDSS hired the graduates along with their male counterparts to construct a community-identified water system and drainage canal in Barangay Pili.
They were paid P38.12 per hour or P305 a day, said DSWD.
"Significantly, the number of female workers involved in Kalahi-CIDSS project implementation increased, helping achieve the program’s ideal target of 85% participation rate of all community members," it added.
One of the scholars, Lolinda Bagdoc, expressed her appreciation for the knowledge she gained during the program.
"Sa training, nahibalo ko pandugtong sa mga hose. Daghan among nakan-onan (In the training, I learned how to connect hose. We learned a lot)," she said.
DSWD noted that it is closely working with the Almeria LGU to find more opportunities where training graduates could use their skills through the Public Employment Service Office.
Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the government's poverty alleviation programs implemented by DSWD.