A total of 300 learning tablets were handed over by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) sa Mindanao to the Unlad Kabataan Program (UKP) beneficiaries or the DepEd's Alternative Learning System-Education and Skills Training (ALS-EST) learners during the ceremonial joint signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Abot Alam Intensified Program (AAIP) between PLGU-Davao de Oro and DAP sa Mindanao held at the Activity Hall, Provincial Capitol.
Parts of the AAIP program are the ALS-EST project and the provision of digital learning tablets, thereby reinforcing quality education for the vulnerable and marginalized Out-of-School Youths (OSYs) in the province.
DdO Youth Development Office Division Head Alexis Micutuan, in his message, underpinned that the UKP program, together with the AAIP Program, aimed for the development of disadvantaged youth in terms of spiritual, psychological, and social development.
"Our goal in UKP is to establish 3 exit points for the OSYs, first; to enroll in college or technical skills education, second; to engage in entrepreneurial activity and become an entrepreneur, third; to increase employability. We wanted to provide competent and skilled na mga young people dito sa probinsya" Micutuan said.
Micutuan added that for the school year 2022-2023, there are already 1000 learner-beneficiaries under the program and they will be enjoying the digital tablets coming from DAP as well.
In a speech by DAP Senior Vice President Bernardo Dizon, he expressed gratitude to the local government, TESDA, DepEd, and DSWD among others for the support given in the realization of the program.
"Salamat for your cooperation, these efforts enabled DAP to provide some assistance to your local government. ALS-EST project is indeed one of the approaches that look into how the lives of our chosen beneficiaries can be improved" Dizon said.
Meanwhile, Jemmar Mangapas, one of the learner-beneficiaries, extended his appreciation to the governing bodies for the provisions given such as the skills training interventions and most especially, the chance to continue their education.
Governor Dorothy Gonzaga represented by Acting Provincial Administrator Fatima Montejo congratulated the beneficiaries for taking the risk of allowing themselves to improve their lives. "Since this is a given opportunity, you should utilize it well and hopefully maayu inyung kahimtang after all of these activities. The government will support as always in whatever we can provide as long as needed sa mga tao ang serbisyo" PA Montejo said.
On September 1, 2022, DAP sa Mindanao already turned over 300 learning tablets also intended for the UKP learner-beneficiaries.
(Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by A. Dayao)
