The Cebu provincial government targets to implement a short-term technical-vocational training program for the youth in the province next month, an official said on Tuesday.

Glenn Anthony Soco, provincial board member for Cebu’s 6th district, said the program is aimed at creating a new pool of skilled workers to answer industry needs as third phase of a similar program launched in 2021.

Soco said the program comes with the institutionalization of the “Sugbo Kahanas” (Cebu Skills) program which will be funded from the capitol’s coffer in the amount of PHP100 million.

It will be implemented as soon as the fund is released, possibly in September, but Soco said screening of the participants is now ongoing.

The provincial government, he said, partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 7 (Central Visayas) in the implementation of the program.

The young participants of the program must be registered voters of the province whose applications would be screened, validated, and evaluated by the office of Vice Governor Hilario Davide III and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Soco said the ordinance on Sugbo Kahanas which he authored was approved in third and final reading on Monday.

“Institutionalizing Sugbo Kahanas shall improve its implementation and management, and promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the conduct of its activities,” he said.

The program provides skills training to Cebuanos on massage therapy, driving, welding, baking or pastry making, and dressmaking, among others, to help them gain employment or start their own businesses. (PNA)