Bangued launches First Mega NIC program
by Maritess Beņas
Bangued, Abra (21 July) -- The first livelihood support program of the Bangued local government unit dubbed as "Mega NIC Program" was launched by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) last July 8.
The Mega NIC Program is a special training program coined from the nickname of Mayor Dominic 'Nic' B. Valera. NIC stands for "Nayon the Income Cacailian" means income augmentation for the constituents.
According to Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ma. Jocelyn V. Bernos, and daughter of the mayor, who conceptualized the Mega NIC Program, the five components of the project are Training for livelihood by the TESDA; Jobs Fair; distribution of wheelchairs; educational assistance; and medical and dental mission and feeding program for daycare pupils.
The TESDA training program covers trade areas like cosmetology, massage, electrical rewiring and motorcycle maintenance. Out of the 125 enrollees, 94 made it to the 10-day training period. TESDA provided the trainers while the LGU sponsored all the expenses in the conduct of the trainings including the procurement and provision of the training kits to the trainees.
The Department of Education also contributed to the first Mega NIC Program. The training for electrical rewiring was conducted at the Bangued West Central School Social Hall while the training for cosmetology and massage were conducted at the auspices of the DepEd Division Office in Bangued.
The jobs fair is participated by local businesses both for domestic employment and abroad for the Abrenios.
The wheelchairs, on the other hand, were given free to the disabled persons who have expressed desire to avail of said support, while the educational assistance is a cash assistance to the 31 selected high school students coming from the 31 barangays of the municipality. The students were chosen based on the recommendation of the barangay captains.
All the above-mentioned activities were supposed to be carried out on July 18 on the occasion of the birthday of Mayor Valera. However, the medical/dental mission and feeding program for the 3,000 daycare pupils will be undertaken on Monday, July 21, 2008 due to typhoon Helen.
The Mega NIC Program is the LGU's contribution to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's anti-poverty alleviation program through jobs creation and better education and health care services. (PIA-Abra) [top]
