TUBLAY, Benguet, Philippines — Today’s youth must venture on technical-vocational (tech-voc) courses to help them land high-paying local and overseas employment, Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan said here recently.

Cosalan said it would be wise for youth to consider the opportunities opened for them by tech-voc courses rather than try their luck in degree courses that could render them unemployed for a long period of time.

He also announced the allocation of at least P13 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) next year for the scholarship of poor but deserving students in the province.

The lawmaker is working out a partnership between his office, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to give students a better chance to be competitive in the job market by taking tech-voc courses. (Dexter A. See)

VIZCAYA’S POOR FOLK GET GIFTS

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines (PNA) — More than 1,000 poor families in various upland barangays here recently received medical services and other assistance package from government officials and employees.

The recipients received the assistance through the yearly “Pamaskong Handog” (Christmas offering) by the Association of Provincial Executives(APEX) and the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Employees Association (NVPEA).

Alejandra Dacumos, provincial budget officer and APEX president, said the activity is a yearly project intended to provide assistance to poor families especially those living in upland and remote areas.

“This project is also being done in time for the Christmas season to bring the spirit of the yuletide season among the poor families,” Dacumos said.

This year’s project, which targeted the villages since last week entails the provision of free medical and dental services and giving of gift packs.

BINGA RECEIVES 70,000 FINGERLINGS

ITOGON, Benguet, Philippines — The Cordillera office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) here donated over 70,000 tilapia fingerlings which were subsequently released in the Binga dam reservoir as part of the agency’s commitment for food security in the region during the recently-concluded 110th foundation anniversary of the town.

The donation is aimed at making fish, which is expensive in the mountain regions like the Cordillera, affordable in the region so that there will be abundant source of protein for the people.

For the past several years, the agency has been focusing on small fisherfolks to boost the fishery sector in the region so that it will serve as an added source of income for the people. (Dexter A. See)

MITRA EYES STRONGER TIES WITH WESCOM

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The Western Command (WESCOM) celebrated an early Christmas and received more inspiration to do better next year as the Provincial Government headed by Governor Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, assured a stronger partnership with the Command in bringing development and progress in the province of Palawan.

Mitra, who was among the special guests in the WESCOM Christmas party, said he recognizes the important contribution of the command in keeping peace and order in the province, which are indispensable factors in ushering progress and development in any place.