News Story

Urdaneta LGU Supports LDS Self-Reliance Services

Local government leaders and the private sector recently attended the launching of the Self-Reliance Services project of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Urdaneta City.This project is in partnership with theDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) to achieve a goal in providing resource to the public for employment, education and self-employment.

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Among those who attended the ceremony were Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim, Urdaneta Mayor Gregorio “Bobom” Perez III, Provincial Employment Service Office Chief Alex Ferrer, Department of Trade and Industry Pangasinan Dir. Peter Manabat, and TESDA Pangasinan Dir. Manuel Wong.

“The SRC is here to assist with the programs of the government. Let’s build our nation by empowering people throgh self-reliance,”  SRC Manager Gerardo C. Guerra said during the program. 

DTI Provincial Director, Peter Mangabat said that in support to the SRC their agency is “willing to offer our various entrepreneurship trainings and programs to SRS such as starting a business up to the operating stage to help the self-employed."

“The opportunities are boundless,” Mangabat added.

TESDA Provincial Director Manuel Wong also said, “TESDA is envisioning to be the leading partner to help Filipinos become skilled and world-class with a positive attitude.” 

He further explained that skills and competency are not enough to be employed.  Positive work values are also a requirement by employers. 

“We would like TESDA and SRS to really work hand in hand to help our citizenry not only to be skilled and competent but to attain the right work skills,” Wong said.

TESDA offers free training through their scholarship programs.  However, the scholarship is given on a competency basis.  They also certify those who have been trained with the qualifications that suit their interests and have passed the assessment by TESDA.  The certification will help the applicant in finding gainful employment.

Engineer Wong also expressed assistance and support in helping SRS attain its objectives.

PESO Provincial Manager Alex Ferrer on the other hand said, “The Bible teaches we should be self-reliant and not be lazy.  We should work to help others.” 

He cited that one of the thrusts of government is human resource development.  He shared that their office has started the Manpower and Enterprise program in support of TESDA and DTI’s programs.  He congratulated the Church for its SRS office.

DOLE representative Fresnida Gundan said, “We are partners as far as employment program is concerned.  We hope that through this office we will be able to help more people get employment.”

Hon. Vice-Governor of Pangasinan, Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr, said, “If you give a man a fish, you will only feed him for a day.  But if you teach him how to fish, you will give him a life.” 

He continued, “Who will help man but man himself." 

Calimlim added, “as Christians this is our chance to extend our hand and bless other people’s lives and make an extraordinary life of those around us.”

“We are not just empowering individuals and families but we are teaching people about parenting.  We teach people to be good parents,” Calimlim explained.

Pangasinan according to Vice Gov. Calimlim has poverty level of 12% in 2006 to 9.1% in 2012. 

“We cannot do it alone.  You need us and we need you,” he said.

Pedro Adurru of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints admonished the members to follow the instruction from the messages of the speakers to be blessed.

Quoting a verse from the scriptures, he said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”  He encouraged everyone to render whatever kind of service they can offer to their neighbours and they will never be forgotten. 

“If we use what we have learned here today, we will rise above poverty,” he added.

 

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