SENATOR Joel Villanueva on Tuesday (21 May 2024) led the graduation ceremony of 125 Philcare Janitorial staff who passed the Housekeeping NC II certification after their Free Skills Training.

The training started last February and was held inside the Senate building aiming to help the janitorial staff to gain additional abilities.

In his message, Villanueva, known by his moniker Tesdaman, shared his gratitude and admiration for the janitors, utility workers, and elevator operators who completed their course despite their work in the Senate.

“Hindi ko ma-describe ‘yung kakaibang galak at kasiyahan bilang isa sa mga instrumento na ginamit ng Diyos para itouch ang buhay ng mga janitorial services natin na naririto. Kayo mismo nasaksihan kung ano ang feeling nila magkaroon ng National Certification,” Villanueva said during the Senate media interview.

“Ito na ang pasaporte nila hindi lang para magkatrabaho sila kundi para magkaroon ng dignidad ang kanilang pagiging isang de kalidad na manggagawang Pilipino,” he said.

“So for me, it’s such a great honor and blessing to be part of it. And you know very well na kapag lumipat na kami doon sa kabilang building ng Senado, hindi sila pwedeng ma-hire uli kung wala silang National Certification. I’m sure most if not all of them will be part of our would-be new employees in the new Senate Building. So I’m happy for that. To God be the glory,” the senator added.

Supporting Villanueva in this project were the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and SLDM Colleges of Quezon City.