Archie trains as an automotive mechanic.

Baganga Davao Oriental -In the continuing ‘Pablo’ recovery and rehabilitation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), more livelihood projects are being accessed to Typhoon Pablo survivors.

Some 43 students whose parents are graduating from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program are now enrolled in community based vocational and technical training on Automotive Servicing NC II under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and funded by DSWD.

“This is a big opportunity for us especially for me since I was not able to pursue my education because of financial problem. I believe this course will help me and my family to rise from poverty,” Archie Buo of Barangay Kinablangan shared.

Archie, 26 years old, is the eldest of the six siblings. He serves as the bread winner in the family. His father is a farmer and his mother drowned during the typhoon.

“The death of my mother is still painful and vivid in my memory because I was not able to save her. She hid under the table but suddenly vanished when the water rose and soaked our house. We found her dead under the table. She was trapped when trees smashed our house to the ground,” Archie lamented.

His family is now living in their new house built through the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) of DSWD in partnership with the Provincial Government.

“I will do my best to graduate from this course and land a job. This is all for my mother. I know she is proud of me,” Archie said.

DSWD provided P 18, 000.00 cash assistance per student for the payment of their tuition fee for the 6-months Automotive Servicing course.

Other livelihood projects for ‘Pablo’ survivors in Baganga include micro financing, skills training and cash for building livelihood assets (CBLA).

Baganga Mayor Arturo Monday confirmed that through this experience the people of Davao oriental are now united and resilient, having learned their lesson.

“I thanked DSWD for the undying support. DSWD was the first responder among all agencies and was able to sustain its help through the years especially in building the permanent shelters. Typhoon Pablo may have shattered many houses, but in the end we were provided with a much better and a much beautiful home and livelihood programs to start our new life. Indeed, DSWD is our hero.” Mayor Monday joyfully declared. (DSWD)