THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) emphasized that one of the key factors for the success and sustainability of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is skills and livelihood training of beneficiaries.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar pointed this out, saying that employment and sustained livelihood for the program’s beneficiaries can spell the difference when it comes to the sustainability of the flagship program.
This is why the DHSUD and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as part of the highlights of this year’s National Shelter Month celebration.
Secretary Acuzar said that having the necessary skills will ensure 4PH beneficiaries of livelihood and stable employment.
The housing czar stressed that it is important that 4PH beneficiaries are able to establish livelihood or stable jobs within the vicinities of government housing projects, which is what President Marcos’ concept of sustainable human settlements and township development is all about.
“Hindi lamang po basta pabahay ang 4PH kundi pagkakaroon ng stable livelihood para sa matatag na pamumuhay sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga poorest of the poor. Sila ang mas kailangan natin tulungan at sila po ang palaging nasa isip ng Pangulo,” Secretary Acuzar said.
“Mas magiging sustainable po ang Pambansang Pabahay kapag may stable livelihood o employment ang mga beneficiaries. May sources of income ang ating mga kababayan. At lalong dadami po ang makikinabang dahil sa pagsulong ng programa,” he added.
The MOA between DHSUD and TESDA is expected to fill in the gaps in existing industries in areas where the beneficiaries of housing projects are located.
Under the MOA, DHSUD will gather data on the preferred skills of beneficiaries and provide TESDA the list of participants for the training, among other related responsibilities.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na akma ang makukuhang training ng ating mga beneficiaries para makapagtrabaho sa mga industriyang malapit sa kanilang pagbabahayan…naniniwala po ako na bigyan lamang ng tamang oportunidad ang Pilipino, kakayanin nito na tumayo sa sariling paa at umunlad ang kabuhayan,” Secretary Acuzar said.
Apart from skills and livelihood training, TESDA, will also provide other forms of technical assistance as necessary, subject to government rules and regulations.