ILOILO City – At least 66 drug surrenderers who completed the city government’s Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Program have started livelihood skills training at the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) Molo campus.
“We want to equip our drug surrenderers with skills for them to start a new life. Want to help them provide for their family through legal means,” said Mayor Jose III Espinosa.
TIIC Molo school administrator Ma. Mathilde Octavio said 14 surrenderees chose the training on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), 12 picked the training on massage while 40 chose to learn how to drive.
“After the values formation and counseling, we offer them livelihood skills training. Their new skills will help them land jobs. This will also encourage them not to go back to using or peddling illegal drugs,” said Octavio.
Morning classes from 8 a.m. to 12 noon every Thursday and Friday will last for two to three months.
Octavio also said drug surrendereres would be taught along with the regular TICC students provided they pass the psychological test.
“We want to merge them with our regular students. They must have that sense of inclusion. This is why we require them to take psychological test to ascertain they are fit to study,” said Octavio.
After completing the livelihood training skills, drug surrenderers will be given certificates of completion and even recommended for an NCII certificate. (Merianne Grace Ereñeta, Iloilo City PIO/PN)
