24 Mindorenos pass exam for BEST-PANDAYAN scholarship program
Twenty-four successful applicants are now enrolled in an intensive six-month technical/vocational course under BEST-PANDAYAN (Bridging Employment through Skill Training- Pangkabuhayang Dalubhasaan ng Bayan) scholarship program of Malampaya Foundation Inc. and the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro (PGOM).
Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso V. Umali, Jr., personally extended his congratulations to the aspiring youth welders during a send-off ceremony at provincial capitol square in Calapan City last July 24 before their departure en route to Keppel Shipyard in Bauan, Batangas where they will be housed while attending training in Shielded Metal Arch Welding (SMAW), also at the same site.
Gov. Umali said the scholarship program has exemplified one of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s scheme to achieve his long-term economic agenda through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The governor, who is a close ally of the President and also heads the League of Provinces of the Philippines, has described Malampaya as a truly responsible corporate citizen which continues to look for means on how to fill up government’s responsibility to provide quality technical education to the people and alleviate poverty in the countryside.
Karen H, Agabin, executive director of Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI), announced during the said orientation that Malampaya is committed in supporting this endeavor to produce quality technical-vocational graduates which Malampaya has been advocating since the start of its commercial operation in 2001.
Agabin said the demand for welders in some countries like Canada is high and the training at Keppel could serve as a passport for Filipino youth to achieve their dream.
“Make the most out of this training and this will change your life entirely for the better,” Agabin said as she thanked Gov. Umali for his full support to all educational and livelihood initiatives of MFI in Oriental Mindoro.
The trainees were selected from among 101 applicants from the different town of the province after a qualifying examination given last May 21 in Calapan City.
Teddy Bolivar, program manager of MFI in Mindoro and Batangas said the scholars will receive P60.00 as daily stipend and after two months of theoritical training, this will be increased to P232.00 while they are undergoing actual job assignments at Keppel.
This year’s Malampaya-PGOM scholars are Edrico F. Ramos, Mansalay; Aaron Galit, Calapan; Myralyn Calderon, Calapan City; Samuel Laudencia Jr., Calapan City ; Shiela Manato, Calapan City; Ralph Reyes, Puerto Galera; Ryan James Perez, Calapan City; Louisito Fabregas, Pinamalayan; Angelico Luarca, Pinamalayan; Bernard Locquaio, Calapan City; Jay-Ar Baral, Bongabong; Jhojanes Mendoza, Calapan City; Ace Darrel Bolor, Calapan City; Rodolfo Luvindino, Baco; Remo Salansang, Calapan City; Joy Ramirez, Calapan City; Rodulf Guimera, Pinamalayan; Marino Badal, Baco; Rogen Mark Bunag, Bongabong; John Kelvin Magadia, Calapan City; Leo Roxas, Naujan; William Cruz, Calapan City; John Rey Ilagan, Bongabong; and John Anthony Cruz, Calapan City.
