In celebration of October as Cooperative Month, the Davao City government opened six skills and livelihood training programs to help local cooperatives during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Edna V. Haspe, the program coordinator of the Cooperative Livelihood and Training Center (CLTC), said the four Skills Training Program includes Basic Fruits and Vegetable Processing scheduled on October 26; Basic Perfume Making on October 12; Basic Meat processing on October 15 and 16; and Basic Chocolate (Tablea) Making on October 28.
The two Livelihood Development Programs are the Duck Raising Production scheduled on October 21 and 22 and Basic Homecare Skills Training With Provision of Seed Capital which is set on October 29 and 30.
Besides the six skills and livelihood training, the city government through the CLTC also offered the Basic Candle Making and Basic Bakery Products Preparation conducted in September at the CLTC in S.I.R. Matina.
Haspe said all free training programs are designed for members of different cooperatives in Davao City, especially their members whose jobs were affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These programs aim to give livelihood through skills training to people who are in need especially marginalized coop members, women, PWDs, and the disadvantaged,” she said.
She said their annual skills and livelihood training programs were initially set in September, October, and November but were moved due to Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the skills and training programs under the new schedule will push through with 10 participants per session in compliance with the social distancing protocol.
“Based on our evaluation, marami naring nagnenegosyo (many have engaged in business) from those who have joined our training in the past,” Haspe said. As of 2019, Davao City has over 400 cooperatives.
The City Cooperative and Development Office (CCDO) is also currently processing its accreditation with Tesda so that by 2021 the office can award TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) certificates to their training beneficiaries.
Also, CCDO is completing the construction of its three-storey training center building and set to partner with the City Council in livelihood training programs such as backyard egg production for identified women beneficiaries of the city councilors. Start-up capital will also be provided to beneficiaries.
In celebration of the Cooperative Month, CCDO will also hold the Coop’s Tiktok Dance Contest from October 15 to 27 while the Cooperative Development Authority Regional Office will host the virtual Gawad Parangal 2020, a recognition of Koop Bayanihan efforts for the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This year’s theme is “Cooperatives Amidst the Pandemic, Stand for Resiliency, Strive for Sustainability”. CIO
