Thirty-five people, including 33 women from Carmen, Surigao del Sur, graduated from the first welding skills training conducted under the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Caraga Region (DSWD-13) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program on Thursday.

The DSWD-13 said Friday that the 34-day training, with a budget of PHP1.6 million, distributed welding toolkits and certificates.

“The program aimed to equip participants with technical skills in a field traditionally dominated by men, while promoting economic empowerment and gender inclusivity,” the DSWD-13 said in a news release.

The initiative marked a shift in KALAHI-CIDSS programming, expanding beyond infrastructure development to focus on human capital.

“The program reflects a growing emphasis on inclusive, community-driven development,” the DSWD-13 said.

Among those who completed the training was Leonor, 24, who recognized the importance of the training and the opportunities it provided.

“Learning welding gave me the confidence and skills to pursue a decent job and help support my family. I’m deeply thankful to the government and DSWD for believing in our potential,” Leonor said in an interview on Friday.

KALAHI-CIDSS Deputy National Program Manager for Operations, Rolando Villacorta Jr. urged the graduates to take initiative in applying their new skills and encouraged them to form an organization to sustain opportunities and access further support.

“The impact of this project will echo in your work, your communities and in future generations,” he said. (PNA)