SENATORS Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano merged their assistance programs with those of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Department of Social Welfare and Development, providing 253 TESDA graduates from Albay with additional livelihood assistance.

The 253 Albayanos who took up various courses at the Sunshine International School in Daraga were part of the scholarship program of the Cayetanos under TESDA.

They graduated taking the Special Training for Employment Program and Training for Work Scholarship Program.

The livelihood assistance, which was provided in partnership with DSWD through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program, is part of the Cayetanos’ convergence of social protection programs to ensure the welfare and livelihood of Filipinos.

This convergence program by the senator siblings is provided to beneficiaries or a group of beneficiaries who receive multiple assistance under various government programs. It is not a one-time help extended by the senators but can be done in several phases to ensure the sustainability of their income.

For the TESDA graduates, this is the first-ever convergence program of the Cayetanos to help them move forward from being students to practitioners.

The help came in the form of tool kits, capital, and other forms of assistance.

The senators provided assistance to 253 TESDA graduates and to members of a women’s sector, and youth.