FREE LIVELIHOOD TRAININGS IN OLONGAPO, STILL ONGOING!

Under the leadership of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., the free Livelihood Training is still ongoing and growing strong further for Olongapo City residents who are interested and eager to learn to make a living.

‘’Dalawang klase ang trabaho, ang una ay sa pamamagitan ng pag-eempleyo o pamamasukan at ang pangalawa naman ay ang self-employment o mismong ikaw ang nagpapa-takbo ng iyong sariling negosyo at iyan ang mas maganda dahil ikaw ang boss ng iyong sariling negosyo at walang amo,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon.

Free livelihood trainings are conducted continuously in Olongapo administered by the city local government through Mayor Gordon’s HELPS Program. ‘’Dapat rin nating tandaan na ang Livelihood ay isa sa mga programang kabilang sa HELPS program ng aking administrasyon kaya dapat nating tutukan iyan,’’ Mayor Gordon added.

The following is the list of livelihood training schedule for the whole month of June given by the lead agency of the program, the Livelihood Cooperative Development Office (LCDO):

June 7 & 8 - Meat Processing

June 10 & 11 - Chinese Dimsum

June 14 to 25 - 10 days Whole Body Massage

June 16 - Chocolate Candies Making

June 22 & 23 - Sweet Pastries

June 29 & 30 - Squash Based Products

In September 2009, the Livelihood and Training Center at Ohio St., Brgy. Kalaklan formally opened. The construction of the tw0 (2) story training center is proof of Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Anne Gordon’s pursuit to give Olongapeños a better training environment and, at the same time, a place that can accommodate more trainees for the program.

Since the livelihood training started in 2005 up to the present, over eight thousand (8,000) trainees have graduated from the program and a lot of those graduates have started their own little businesses and projects from which they earn a living.

For those who are interested to join the aforementioned livelihood trainings, visit the LCDO or the Livelihood Training Center at Ohio St., Brgy. Kalaklan or call tel. Nos. 222-5401 loc. 4123 for more details.

LIVELIHOOD TRAINING GRADUATION

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. with the recent graduates of Basic MassageTraining. The graduates were among the thousands of trainees who benefitted from Mayor Gordon’s Free Livelihood Training Program to augment the skills of jobseekers or help budding entrepreneurs to start their own business.

LCDO CONDUCTS FREE LIVELIHOOD TRAININGS

‘‘Inaanyayahan ko ang mga Olongapeño na magparehistro at makinabang sa patuloy na livelihood training na ibibigay ng lungsod,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Thru the Livelihood Cooperative and Development Office (LCDO), the city continuously conduct free livelihood trainings to provide supplemental skills to jobseekers or ideas to those who want to start their own business.

“Para sa buwan na ito lamang ay nakapagpatapos na ang LCDO ng mga trainess sa Fashion Accessories Making (Peb. 5), inumpisahan na rin ang Massage Therapy Training nitong ika-8 na magtatapos sa ika-19 ng Pebrero at nakahanay naman ang Soap Making sa ika-23 at baking sa ika-24 ng buwan,” Aileen Sanchez, head of LCDO explained.

Presently, beneficiaries of the said program has reached more than six thousand and counting, including the out-school-youth, Small to Medium Entrepreneurs and the producers of Gawang Gapo which provides the opportunity to budding entrepreneurs to showcase their products for 5 days at the lobby of the Olongapo City Hall.

“Nanawagan ako sa mga kababaihan lalo na sa mga ina ng tahanan na samantalahin ang mga ganitong pagkakataon sapagkat ang mga libreng pagsasanay na ito ay maaaring maging daan upang makatulong sa pagtataguyod ng kabuhayan ng pamilya o maging daan upang kayo ay magkaroon ng sariling negosyo ,” said Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, a known advocate of women empowerment.

For more details and inquiries about the free livelihood trainings, visit the LCDO at the second floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

Pao/sara

Team Gordon Inaugurates a livelihood training center

Images of Team Gordon Activities

• Livelihood and Skills Training Center at Ohio Street Kalaklan Inauguration
• Blessing and Inauguration of Mercury Street at Brgy Sta Rita
• Blessing and Inauguration of Footbridge at Lawin Street New Cabalan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EuuIrU7cKY

FOUR YEARS OF GAWANG ‘GAPO

In an aggressive move to help push Olongapo’s own products in the market, the City Local Government headed by Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. launched Gawang ‘Gapo (Made in Olongapo City four (4) years ago.

Recently, Mayor Bong Gordon, Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo and Livelihood Cooperative and Development Office (LCDO) head Aileen C. Sanchez led the observance of the ‘‘Gawang ‘Gapo 4th Year Anniversary’’.

In connection with the observance, a 21-day product exhibit 0f over twenty (20) exhibitors on August 10 to 31, 2009 at the Olongapo City Mall lobby featuring a wide array of products made exclusively by Olongapeños in food, novelty items, accessories and other products has been launched.

Gawang ‘Gapo is a flagship program of Mayor Gordon and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Marie Gordon that aims to promote small entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities for the local community.

Likewise, the livelihood project aims to make local and foreign tourists, alike, patronize products that are proudly made in Olongapo by Olongapeños.

Since 2005 over one hundred (100) exhibitors had availed of the chance given by the city government to display and sell their products for a week at the Olongapo City Hall lobby.

For more information regarding the Gawang ‘Gapo products and exhibits, call 224-8390 local 4123 or visit the Livelihood Cooperative and Development Office (LCDO) at 2nd Floor Annex Building, Olongapo City Hall.

Olongapo City Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo delivers an inspirational message during the Gawang ‘Gapo (Made in Olongapo) 4th Year Anniversary held on August 10, 2009 at the Olongapo City Mall.

Pao/rem

86 COMPLETES LIVELIHOOD TRAININGS AT BRGY. GORDON HEIGHTS

Eighty-six (86) residents of Barangay Gordon Heights will graduate on July 3, 2009 after completing several free livelihood courses offered by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. through the Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO).

Gordon has been encouraging community-based trainings to directly involve barangay officials and residents.

A one-day mini trade-fair will highlight the said event which will showcase the end-products of fruit, meat and fish processing, dimsum making, iodized salt making, baking and sweet pastries.

“Sa pamamagitan ng munting trade fair na ito, maipapakita natin sa iba pa nating kababayan na mapapakinabangan nila kaagad ang kanilang natutunan upang pagkakitaan,” said Barangay Kagawad and Livelihood Committee Chair Ed Garcia.

“Lubos ang pasasalamat ng Barangay Gordon Heights kay Mayor Bong Gordon sa libreng pagsasanay na ipinagkakaloob niya sa ating mga mamamayan,” said Barangay Chair Ed Gingco. “Ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagkakaroon ng libreng kursong pangkabuhayan dito sa Gordon Heights para mas marami pang residente and makinabang.”

Gordon continues to provide livelihood trainings to Olongapeños to equip them with the necessary skills and competencies that can promote self-employment and assistance to would-be entrepreneurs.

“With the different livelihood training programs we are offering, we hope to alleviate poverty by offering poor residents the means to raise their incomes,” Gordon emphasized.

PAO/chay

SBMA holds livelihood seminars for laid off workers

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced it will hold a series of livelihood training seminars for those who lost their jobs as a result of the global economic downturn.

“Our target participants are workers and heads of families who have been displaced, or whose incomes have been severely reduced by the present economic slowdown. And we won’t be charging them for these. We just intend to help provide them with some new means of earning a living to cope with the crisis,” SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said.

Salonga said they will be holding a series of seminars to educate displaced workers and unemployment residents on how to start micro businesses of their own.

The seminars which are being organized by the SBMA in cooperation with Sipag at Tiyaga Foundation, Divine Mercy Apostolate, Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), and the 132nd Squadron of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), will be conducted for free.

The first training sessions, which were held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), were conducted by technical experts from the BPSU and lasted for three hours each.

The training focused on candle making, as well as the production of powder detergent, dishwashing liquid, and fabric softener. Among the more than 350 participants who joined the first seminar were residents of the Nagyantok fishing community in barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales.

The training was also attended by members of the SBMA Landfill Recyclers Association who were economically affected by the recent closure of the landfill in the Subic free port; Indigeneous people from Kanawan village in Morong and Pastolan village in Hermosa, both in Bataan; and members of the Pro-Poor Livelihood Project.

As was intended by the SBMA, the project was well received by the SBMA, the project was well received by the beneficiaries and community leaders in the Subic Bay area.

“Maganda itong proyekto ng SBMA, the nahihikayat ang lahat na magsimula ng negosyo mula sa maliit na puhunan, gaya ng candle making na mabiling-mabili
Para pangregalo o pang-dekorasyon. (This is a good project because everyone is encouraged to start a business using small capital like candle making which is very marketable as gift or for decoration),” said Laureano Artagame, chairman of Subic Municipal Federation of Aquatic Resource Management Committee (MFARC).

Luz Estandian, chairman of the SBMA Landfill Recyclers’ Association, lauded the SBMA fro coming up with a scheme to help participants earn while staying at home.

“Napakaganda ng ideyang ito. Marami sa mga miyembro naming ang hindinaman puwedeng magapply ng trabaho sa factory.

Dito, pwede kaming kumita kahit nasa bahay lang, (This is a good idea. Many of our members cannot apply for work in factories. Here, we can earn even at jome)” she said.

Last month, the SBMA also facilitated the grant of full scholarship to some 1,000 displaced workers from the Subic free port through the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program in cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

--By: Ma. Elisa P. Osorio – Philippine Star

FREE LIVELIHOOD TRAININGS CONTINUE

The Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) is steadfast in providing free livelihood trainings.

A two-day training on Meat Processing was conducted in New Kababae recently which was attended by 30 individuals who learned the process of making tocino, longanisa ang ham.

Meanwhile, Barangay Barretto was the beneficiary in the training on rugs and potholder making using the five sewing machines available in the barangay with 10 women completing the training.

The free trainings are still in line with the program of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. to help alleviate and uplift the lives of the Olongapeños.

“Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para umangat sa buhay. Immediately after the training, they can already start selling their end-products and start earning extra income,” said Mayor Gordon.

The LCDO is all set to conduct free trainings in Barangay Pag-Asa and Barangay Gordon Heights for the month of May.

Other interested barangays may choose from the following training modules which they deem fit in their area:

Meat Processing
Fish Processing
Fruit Processing
Dimsum Making
Atchara Making
Basic Cosmetology
Massage Therapy Course/ Basic Reflexology
Scented Candle Making
Baking Seminar
Sweet Pastries
Recycled Materials Seminar
Curtain and Throw Pillow Case Making
Liquid Detergent, Powder Detergent and Fabric Conditioner Making
Backyard Farming

The Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office is located at the 2nd Floor of the City Hall Complex or call telephone number 222-3301 local 4123.

PAO/chay

20, GRADUATED FROM BASIC MASSAGE THERAPY COURSE BATCH 3

Twenty (20) aspiring massage therapists consist the 3rd batch of graduates in the Basic Massage Therapy Course of Olongapo City. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. acknowledged the graduates during the flag raising ceremony on December 22, 2008.

The 3rd batch of graduates has brought to 134 the total number of new massage therapists who earned their skills through the city’s skills training and development program.

Part of the training include sub-courses on Swedish Massage, Shiatsu Massage and Whole Body Massage .

“Masuwerte kami dahil ang batch ngayon ay may natutunan pang karagdagang lesson sa aromatherapy at pinoy hilot,” Veronica Labrador said, one of the new massage therapists.

Certified Massage Therapist and Technical and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Accredited Omar Zeus Beltran and Trainor Gerardo Manio gave lectures and trainings to the massage therapists.

Inquiries on the training course are being entertained by the Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO,) at the 2nd floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. with the 3rd Batch of graduates of the Basic Massage Therapy Course of Olongapo City after the flag raising ceremony on December 22, 2008 at Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.
pao/nmm

UNFPA plans expanding micro-finance program in Olongapo City

OLONGAPO CITY - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is planning to expand coverage of its micro-finance program for marginalized women in Olongapo City.


"We plan to assist beginning 2009 five more women's groups in the city," said UNFPA City Project Coordinator Bel Dado.

UNFPA will select one women's group each in the city's Mabayuan, Sta. Rita, Baretto, New Cabalan and Gordon Heights villages.

"To qualify, group members must have entrepreneurial capability and income below the poverty threshold," Dado said.

She noted women's groups interested in availing of the program can submit their proposals to UNFPA so the organization can evaluate these.

UNFPA is now coordinating with local authorities concerned regarding social preparation activities it plans to commence in January for groups to be chosen, she continued.

The organization came up with the program to help alleviate poverty in the countryside.

Such program also seeks to empower women financially by providing them with seed capital for livelihood activities.

Last year, UNFPA granted PhP50,000 seed capital to Barangay Sta. Rita Women's Smoked Fish Producers' Association so its members can produce and sell smoked and dried fish.

"This is the first project to be financed under such program," Dado said.

She reported the group is doing well and its earnings from daily production of both smoked fish ("tinapa") and dried fish ("daing") enable it to have bank savings.

Fish processed include bangus, galunggong, tilapia and matang baka.

"The group was able to double in one year the amount of seed money it received," Dado also noted.

Group members now also earn extra that they can already avail of Olongapo City's reproductive health (RH) services.

"We didn't even seek such services before as our money then was insufficient even for our food and other basic needs," said group member Emelita Evangelista.

She noted each member began earning an extra PhP200 on the average daily when the project began.

Such earning eventually rose to PhP300 a day at present, enabling members to gradually access RH services and commodities, she said.

"Some of us can now afford to buy birth control pills," Evangelista noted.

Population program coordinator Generosa Josafat said such pills cost about PhP30 per pack. "Each pack is good for a month's use."

Through UNFPA's program, husbands and other kin of group members were able to help produce smoked and dried fish.

Josafat estimated the group's daily production at some 10 "banyera" each containing 50 kilograms of fish.

Fish processor Ricardo Balingit said they sell the produce at PhP20 per three pieces or PhP25 per four pieces depending on size.

"This project is helping send my children to primary and secondary school," he said. (By Catherine J. Teves - PNA)

35, NAGTAPOS SA 2ND BATCH NG BASIC MASSAGE THERAPY COURSE

Tatlumpu’t lima katao (35) ang nagtapos sa second batch ng Basic Massage Therapy Course ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Olongapo.

Ipinakilala ni Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. nitong Ika-3 ng Nobyembre 2008 sa flag raising ceremony ang mga nagtapos ng kurso na ginanap simula Ika-27 hanggang ika-31 ng Oktubre 2008 sa Olongapo City Convention Center.

Matatandaang sa unang pagsasanay sa naturang kurso noong Oktubre 13-17, 2008 ay 79 massage therapists ang nagtapos.

Magkakaroon muli ng ikatlong batch nitong ika-17 hanggang 21 ng Nobyembre, 2008 at sa Nobyembre 24-28, 2008 ang ika-apat na batch.

Kabilang ang Basic Reflexology, Seated Massage at Foot Massage sa isinagawang Basic Massage Therapy Training.

Nanguna sa pagsasagawa ng training si Omar Zeus Beltran , isang Certified Massage Therapist at Technical and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Accredited.

Para sa iba pang impormasyon at registration, magsadya lamang sa Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office(LCDO) sa 2nd Floor, Olongapo City Hall.

pao/nmm

79 FINISH BASIC MASSAGE THERAPY COURSE

Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) head Aileen Sanchez proudly presented the first batch of graduates of the Basic Massage Therapy Course to Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. on October 20, 2008. The graduates finished a five-day training program held on October 13 to 17 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Twenty one (21) men and fifty eight (58) women who graduated, totaling to seventy nine (79), comprised the first batch of graduates.

“We were overwhelmed by the response, ang daming gustong mag-train sa course na ito at hindi namin inaasahan na marami pala ang gustong mag-training ng basic massage therapy,” paliwanag ni Sanchez.

“Tatlo po ang dahilan ng ating mga graduates kung bakit nila kinuha ang training na ito. Una, for personal reasons, dahil may mga kamag-anak sila na kailangang i-massage therapy para hindi na sila kumuha ng massage therapist. Pangalawa, para magkaroon sila ng employment at panghuli, para magtayo sila ng sarili nilang business,” Sanchez said.

Courses discussed during the training include ‘Basic Reflexology’, ‘Seated Massage’, at ‘Foot Massage’. On October 20, 2008 the graduates performed a practicum where they performed a free 30-minute seated massage to willing customers.

The training was facilitated by Omar Zeus Beltran, a Certified Massage Therapist accredited by the Technical and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Because of the huge demand for the course, the LCDO has now opened the registration for the second batch of trainees for the October 27 to 30, 2008 training at the OCCC.

For more information, visit the LCDO office at the 2nd Floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. delivering a message during the ‘Basic Massage Therapy Training’. The five-day training course was held from October 13 to 17, 2008 at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

PAO/Don

GAWANG ‘GAPO, TATLONG TAON NA!

Pangungunahan nina City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. at Olongapo First Lady at Zambales Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon ang 3rd Year Anniversary ng ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo’’ (Made in Olongapo).

Bubuksan ang selebrasyon sa pamamagitan ng siyam (9) na araw na trade fair ng mahigit dalawampung (20) exhibitors sa ika-22 hanggang 31 ng Agosto 2008 sa lobby ng Olongapo City Mall.

Magpapakita ng kani-kanilang mga natatanging produkto ang mga ito na sadyang ‘made in the city’ tulad ng food, novelty items, accessories at marami pang iba.

Ang ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ ay sa inisyatiba ni Mayor Gordon at Vice Gov. Anne Gordon na palawigin ang livelihood sa Olongapo na ang pangunahing target ay ang mga nagsisimula at maliliit na negosyante.

Sa ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ ay binibigyan ng tig-isang linggong pagkakataon ang mga mga lokal manufacturers na i-display at ibenta ang kanilang mga produkto sa lobby ng City Hall.

Layunin ng Livelihood Project na makilala at tangkilikin ng mismong mga taga-Olongapo at mga bumibisita rito tulad ng Lakbay-Aral Delegates ang mga produktong gawa sa lungsod.

Buhat ng simulan ang ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ noong 2006 ay umabot na sa mahigit isangdaang (100) exhibitors ang nabigyan ng pagkakataong ipakita at makilala ang kanilang mga produkto.

LIBRENG LIVELIHOOD TRAINING SA BARANGAY

Livelihood Trainings ang patuloy na isinusulong ni City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. kaya naman nitong ika-13 at 14 ng Mayo 2008 ay nagsagawa ng ‘’Squash Based Products-Free Training’’ ang Livelihood Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) sa mahigit limampung (50) mga kababaihan ng Barangay West Bajac-Bajac.

Mga residenteng may edad na labing-walo (18) pataas na interesadong magnegosyo ang tinuruan ng mga kasanayan na maaaring pagkakakitaan tulad ng Food processing at cooking demo.

“Ang mga kababaihan ang kadalasang magaling sa pagnenegosyo dahil sa pagkamasinop at kasanayan sa pagba-budget. At ang mga panimulang negosyo ay yung mga nangangailangan ng galing ng kababaihan tulad sa pagluluto, food processing at iba pa, kaya’t matuto kayo dahil pakikinabangan ninyo ito at ng inyong pamilya ,” mensahe ni Mayor Gordon.

Ang livelihood trainings na umiikot sa labingpitong (17) barangay sa lungsod ay bahagi ng kabuuang programa ni Mayor Gordon sa pangkabuhayan na pinangungunahan ng Livelihood & Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) bilang in-charge sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng iba’t-ibang trainings na pangnegosyo.

Naglalaan din ng pondo si Mayor Gordon upang matulungan sa pinansyal na aspeto ang mga nagsisimulang negosyante. Dito ay nagbibigay ng financial assistance ang pamahalaan upang higit na maging kabahagi na makamit ang naisin na magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan ang isang pamilya.

Tuwang-tuwa ang mga dumalo sa training at nabigyan sila ng pag-asa para matupad ang negosyo na talaga namang desidido nilang simulan at palaguin. “May pagkakataon na kaming umasenso. Salamat sa tulong ni Mayor Gordon,” sambit ni Mrs. Fatima Santos, isa mga dumalo sa training.
Si Mayor Bong Gordon habang nagbibigay ng mensahe sa mga kababaihang suma-ilalim sa free livelihood training ng ‘’Squash-Based Products’’. Isinagawa ang training nitong ika-13 at 14 ng Mayo 2008 sa Brgy. West Bajac-Bajac. Pao Photo/rem