San Miguel Corporation (SMC), in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), launched on Wednesday its free livelihood and skills training program for residents here.

The initial beneficiaries of the training program were 60 former residents of Barangay Taliptip in Bulakan town, who have accepted the relocation offer of SMC for the construction of its PHP734-billion New Manila International Airport in the said municipality.

Governor Daniel Fernando, TESDA Regional Director Jesus Fajardo and lawyer Micaela Rosales of SMC graced the event held at the Regional Training Center-III along McArthur Highway, Barangay Tabang, in Guiguinto.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang, in a statement, said the training program, which is open for all Bulacan residents, is part of SMC’s job creation initiative to help Filipinos adapt to changing demands and benefit from opportunities that will emerge with the construction of the airport project in the province.

Ang said the company will pay for the tuition, assessment, trainor’s honoraria, meals, insurance, and transportation allowance of the initial participants, who will undergo 20 days of training in their chosen courses and three days of entrepreneurship training.

Courses being offered include shielded metal arc welding, electrical installation and maintenance, and heavy equipment operations.

The beneficiaries will be provided with tool kits like welding machines and sewing machines, among others.

On the other hand, courses such as dressmaking and cookery are to be offered for residents, who want to be self-employed.

“This airport project will be a game-changer, not only in terms of its effect on the economy of Bulacan and the entire Philippines. More importantly, this will change the lives of Bulacan residents even beyond the pandemic. These courses are for free and open to all residents of Bulacan who are willing to learn,” Ang said.

“By helping them develop new skills, we equip communities with the means to become resilient to rapid changes and future needs and empower them to be able to transform their lives for the better. We also want to make sure that the benefits of this project are shared equitably among our kababayans,” he added.

After the initial batch of 60 individuals, Ang said that they will immediately expand the program to include all residents of Bulacan subject to government’s health protocols, that include wearing of protective equipment and physical distancing to avoid infection with the coronavirus disease. (PNA)