THE UNITED States Agency for International Development and the Philippine Business for Education sealed a partnership agreement through Youthworks PH with the local government units of Polomolok, Malungon, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to train out-of-school youth in South Cotabato.

Youthwork PH, represented by its chief of party, Rhea Peñaflor, and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. formalized the collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement will expand the implementation of flexible training for work in their communities by recruiting 600 out-of-school youth into the program and providing support for training subsidies equivalent to at least P3 million.

The collaboration anchors on the assistance of the Youth Affairs and Development Office, Public Employment Service Office, Sangguniang Kabataan, and other youth organizations for employment opportunities after the trainees have completed the program.

“It is such a delight that because of local government partners like the Municipality of Polomolok, we are able to continue serving our communities and bring opportunities to the youth where they are,” Peñaflor said.

The team also headed to Malungon and the field office of DSWD where they signed another MOU.

“Our mandate is to provide our services to the vulnerable sectors especially those at the grassroots. We are thankful for YouthWorks PH and we are hoping that this partnership will just be the start of bigger initiatives,” DSWD Regional Director Loreto Cabaya Jr. said.