Basilan inaugurates new livelihood center in Tipo-Tipo

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 24): Basilan inaugurates new livelihood center in Tipo-Tipo

Basilan Gov. Jum J. Akbar spearheaded the inauguration and turn-over of the newly-constructed buildings of Basilan Livelihood Assistance Center (BLAC) during formal ceremonies held recently.

Akbar expressed gratitude over the significant support coming from the American government, Tipo-Tipo local government and Armed Forces of the Philippines for ensuring the realization of this project.

This P18 million project that comes from the taxes of the American people features six buildings in a compound with an administrative office, classrooms, comfort rooms, a dormitory, kitchen and mess hall, water reservoir, and a spacious ground area – the only one in Basilan with amenities of its kind.

This project aims to be a training center for skills development for the out-of-school youth in order to stabilize their economic condition. BLAC is nestled in a land area of what has been a rubber plantation in Tipo-Tipo proper. Considered a strategic location for its services, the facility site can also be extended to the nearby municipalities such as Tuburan, Akbar, Sumisip and Ungkaya Pukan.

“If we look at the profile of the criminalities here in Basilan, most of them [criminals] came from this southern part of the area. Most of the out-of-school youth have no knowledge no opportunities to look for permanent jobs because they lack technical know-how or skill,” said Tipo-Tipo Mayor Ingatun G. Istarul.

Army’s Brigade Commander Col. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista also shared his dream of reaching out to other conflict-prone communities outside Tipo-Tipo, so that similar facilities could be erected.

Nagdilaab Foundation Executive Director Miriam Suacito stressed that, “This is not only a livelihood center. This is a formation center because we will give capacity–building not only to the out-of-school youth but to all others from different agencies.”

Suacito also assured that they will continue their community-based trainings in Tipo-Tipo. Since they are also implementing projects with USAID through its Mindanao Youth Development Program, working with TESDA will heighten any program and project they will embark on.

With the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) as its leading light, relevant capability-building programs/trainings now await its beneficiaries.

TESDA-ARMM Director Muida S. Hataman said that this facility in Tipo-Tipo “is an answered-prayer.” Since all of their TESDA-registered schools are based in Lamitan City, conducting community-based trainings outside this city is tough for they have to find suitable venues first.

Hataman added that TESDA scholarships and courses are all set to be offered. “We are just waiting for the training calendar from the center’s administrator for a go signal for implementation. We are looking forward to conduct trainings here,” Hataman disclosed.

In retrospect, the idea of a micro-enterprise and community empowerment center was developed in 2007 to address the need to alleviate poverty by providing a facility that will give capacity-building among its youth and those in other nearby municipalities..

The BLAC is a U.S. Pacific Command-approved and funded Humanitarian Assistance (HA) project that took-off in 2014. This project involves the solicitation, award, and execution of a U.S. Government construction contract, utilizing construction and design firms properly licensed in the Philippines and legally contracted by NAVFAC Pacific for the construction of warehouse, classroom building, dormitory structure, administrative office space, a kitchen and male/female comfort rooms in barangay Poblacion, Tipo-Tipo Proper, Tipo-Tipo Municipality, Basilan.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421456465950/basilan-inaugurates-new-livelihood-center-in-tipo-tipo