Seventy-one persons with disabilities (PWDs) from the different regions in the Visayas and Mindanao recently received their diplomas as graduates of the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center 11 (AVRC), a facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based in Labangon, Cebu City, during their 36th graduation exercises.
DSWD-7 information officer, Jaybee Binghay said that of the total number of PWDs, 14 finished therapeutic massage; nine in consumer electronics; two in electronic motor repair ; 14 in computer technology; seven, commercial arts and crafts; nine , basic cosmetology; eight, commercial cooking; five, basic sewing; one, food processing, and two in furniture and cabinet making.
During the graduation rites, Training Center Superintendent Herminia Cabahug of the AVRC 11 challenged the graduates to enhance their skills and capabilities and explore the bigger working world by availing of the wide variety of services and trainings designed by DSWD made available for them to compete with the growing demands and opportunities in the market.
Aside from their graduation certificates, nine outstanding trainees received training tools that would help them develop their skills, namely Olymer Adiva for massage, Renen Naason for consumer electronics, Glicerio Escuadro for electronic motor repair, Melvin Rule for commercial arts and crafts, Cherrylyn Linao for computer technology, Evelyn Taboada for basic cosmetology, Ryan Joseph Orrilaneda for commercial cooking, Roselo Dejan and Jesus Eyana for furniture and cabinet making.
On the same occasion, the Department of Education also released the certificates of 29 trainees who have successfully passed the examination for the Alternative Learning System, both for elementary and secondary. Of this number, 15 of them are blind, said Binghay.
AVRC is a vocational training center operated and maintained by the DSWD since l974 which serves persons with physical and social disabilities like the visually impaired, physically handicapped, negative hansenites, mentally challenge, released prisoners, and other disadvantaged sector.
The center aims to maximize the residual capacities of PWDs through assessment and guidance, social adjustment, medical, vocational training and placement services as well as bring maximum functioning of PWDs for their eventual integration into the community.
Interested PWDs who wish to study or enroll in AVRC may approach their municipal or city social welfare office. (MBCN/JCT/PIA)
