FAMILIES living near the construction site of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan are expected to get some financial boost once they start working after finishing courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority.

On Wednesday, 58 residents have completed their month-long training and assessment initiated by TESDA in partnership with San Miguel Corporation.

Their graduation ceremony was held at the Regional Training Center Central Luzon in Guiguinto town.

Twelve of the graduates took Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II; another 12 took Cooking; 11 finished Dressmaking NC II; 11 finished Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II; and another 12 trained on HEO-Hydraulic Excavator NC II. All of them received certificates of completion and tool kits from TESDA.

TESDA Secretary General Isidro Lapeña congratulated the graduates for finishing the training program despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

“We strive to continue serving our kababayans. I am confident that the TESDA skills training will reinforce your ability to adapt to the new opportunities in your community. The National Certificate from TESDA will be your stepping stone to a more comfortable life and sustainable future,” he said.

Lapeña also thanked SMC and the provincial government of Bulacan for their support.

To ensure the safety of the trainees, SMC provided them with service vehicles. Free lunch was also provided during their training.

The P735 billion airport complex project in Bulacan is in line with the Build, Build, Build Program of the Duterte Administration.

TESDA and SMC joined hands in helping those who may be relocated to provide them free skills training so they can find other means of livelihood or employment.

One of the graduates, Geraline Cunanan, thanked TESDA and SMC for the training and the toolkits, respectively.

“Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang tanda ng ating tagumpay. Hudyat din po ito ng pagdiriwang at pasasalamat. Pagdiriwang, sapagkat pasimula rin po ito ng panibagong kabanata sa aming buhay.  Pasasalamat, sapagkat sa patuloy po naming pag-abot sa aming mga pangarap, may San Miguel Corporation at TESDA na handang gumabay sa amin,” Cunanan said.