“We don’t know what will happen after Nov. 2011, but we can always acquire livelihood skills so we can help sustain our family,” he said during the graduation ceremony in the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa on Sunday evening.
Once the umbrella permits issued by the CNMI government to nonresidents expire in November next year, guest workers will have to be hired through the federal process, which has more restrictions.
Macaraeg is hoping that Filipino workers on Saipan would use what they’ve learned in the skills training class so they can have their own business in the Philippines.
Labor representative Carmelina Velasquez encouraged the graduates to attend the reintegration program that will be held on Dec. 19 at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Garry Legaspi, a graduate of the building and fixing computers class, said the skills he acquired are very important for his current and future employment.
Adoracion DLC. Torres, who studied basic fruit carving, said she “plans to have a catering business. I’m already using my skills for the benefit of my family and the church.”
United Filipino Workers president Olive Yana, who has already finished several training sessions, this time completed the financial literacy course.
Accountant Melvin J. Malvar, one of the financial literacy teachers, said the students were very enthusiastic.
“I am very confident that the students can practice what they’ve learned in the class because the lessons were about financial management,” he said.
The other teachers of the financial literacy course were Velasquez, Ignacio D. Banadera, Jr., and Remil D. Oca.
Tailoring class teacher Domingo S. Del Rosario said most of his students have the potential to excel.
“They can open their own business now,” he said.
Eduardo “Edong” M. Elenzano, a well-known tattoo artist in the CNMI, was the teacher of the 41 students who attended the basic fruit carving course.
“As a volunteer teacher, I am very happy to see their success and I feel compensated by their good performance,” he said.
The building and fixing computers class, which ran from Oct. 2 to Nov. 20, was administered by Marcelo V. Masilungan.
Edgardo Caronan, a building and fixing computer graduate, is hoping that the Philippine Consulate General will continue the training program.
