Some 34 persons with disabilities have completed a year of social and vocational training courses at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas.

DSWD formally recognized them as graduates in a ceremony at the AVRC II Covered Court in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City, on September 27, 2024, with the theme “Innovating and Flourishing in the Golden Horizon, Excellence in Transforming and Empowering Lives” graced by Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education-Cebu City, Nimfa D. Bongo, EdB, CESO V, as keynote speaker.

The graduates received a certificate equivalent to a TESDA National Certificate Level II for completing courses on massage therapy (12), commercial cooking (11), computer systems servicing (2), dressmaking (4), commercial arts and crafts (1), and domestic work (4).

According to Dr. Jera C. Armendarez, AVRC II center head, because of the employment facilitation of the center’s placement services, most graduates even have work before the graduation ceremony.

Apart from the free training courses, persons with disabilities were provided with other interventions, which include psychosocial services, to prepare them for joining the competitive workforce in different fields.

“We remain to be the best service to our advocacy and passion. Thanks to the staff, faculty, and partners who have committed–and will continue to help the center and our trainees land a job,” she said.

The dedication to move forward by the graduates is a symbol of inspiration for the center to inspire other Persons with Disabilities.

The AVRC II in Cebu is one of the four area vocational rehabilitation centers of DSWD in the country: AVRC I in Pangasinan, AVRC III in Zamboanga City, and the national AVRC in Quezon City, all offer a wide range of social and vocational activities to maximize the potential of Persons with Disabilities to become productive members of society. ###

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