CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Stakeholders coming from the public, private, and business sectors come together for the Kahigayonan Caravan Skills Training Expo and Job Fair, a flagship event of Out-of-School Youth Development Alliance (OSYDA) of Cagayan de Oro. The caravan held last July 13 at the University Gym of the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) is intended for the out-of-school youth of the city. Through his representative, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando A. Uy started his speech by stressing the value of education and productivity. “Pinaagi sa edukasyon, makakuha ug makaangkon kamo sa gahom nga mubag-o, dili lang sa inyong kaugalingong kinabuhi apan sa kapalaran sa atung hinigugmang dakbayan. Employment is not just a means to earn a livelihood but an opportunity to contribute to society and shape the future (Through education, you can earn the power to change not just your life but the destiny of our dear city),” the mayor said. He further told the job seekers to make the most out of the job fair and skills training expo. “As you explore the Job Fair, envision a career that aligns with your passions and values. Seek the opportunities that will enable you to make a meaningful difference, both in your own lives and in the larger fabric of our community,” the mayor said. The mayor also emphasized the importance of seeing the essence of business and development, as well as innovation. Hence, he encouraged the youth to be confident in being bold and creative and to dare to dream of establishing their own pictures. “Our City is right with potential and with your entrepreneurial spirit, you can be the catalyst for change and progress… Success is not a solitary journey. It is a collaborative effort. OSYDA stands as a testament to the power of multisectoral partnership and the strength of our community. Cherish the support of your fellow youth, mentors, organizations, agencies, and stakeholders from the public, private, and business sectors who come together today to uplift and guide you toward a brighter future,” he said. City Administrator and lawyer Roy Hilario Raagas shared the challenge the city is facing in the matters of out-of-school youth. “Dili man jod malikayan, tungod sa kawad-on, naa gyud mahimo nga maglangkob sa atung gitawag nga out-of-school youth ug mao ni ang dakong challenge dili para lang sa national government, kun dili apil na ang local government units, ug ang atung partners sa private sector. Mao na namugna susama ani nga programa through the OSYDA, kani nga gitawag nga Kahigayonan. Just the same sa gibuhat sa USAID Opportunity 2.0, ikaduhang higayon para sa kabataan. In the same way as Kahigayonan naghatag ug dugang oportunidad para sa mga kabatan-onan (Poverty is the reason why there are out-of-school youth and this is the challenge facing both the national government and local government units, as well as private partners. This is the why the City Government through the OSYDA, conducted this Kahigayonan Caravan),” he said. In his part, OSYDA Co-chairman and SK Federation President, Councilor John Michael L. Seno, shared with the job fair and skills training expo beneficiaries about having good character, being God-fearing, and showing gratitude wherever a person is in his life. “Kung makatrabaho namo, hopefully dili ninyo kalimtan ang Labawng Makakagahom kay tungod pod niya, gitagaan mo’g giya nga anaa mo’y character nga magpadayon ug bisan pa unsay kalisod inyong maagian (Once you get a job, hopefully you will not forget the God Almighty for He gave you the character of being resilient and perservering),” he said. The OSYDA official also told the out-of-school youth and jobseekers that they have to learn to stand on their own because parents are not always there for them and the City Government supports them through the implementation of different programs and activities, such as the Kahigayonan Caravan. “Ang labing mas importante, labi na sa akoang kapwa kabatan-onan, nga atung hunahunaon nga atung mga ginikanan dili na sila perminte sa kalibutan. Kanihanglan nga mubarog kita para sa atung kaugalingon kay naa gobyerno nga naglantaw kaninyo (It is as well important for the youth to realize that parents are not always there for them, they have to learn to stand on their own and the government will be there for them),” he said. USTP System President Ambrosio B. Cultura II also delivered his message during the opening ceremony of Kahigayonan Caravan Skills Training Expo and Job Fair. “We at USTP are always at the forefront of educating the youth and this mandate has never faltered throughout the year. We are mandated to provide and expand access to education and training to students with the greater vision of contributing to the pool of experts and service providers who shall be the key players to the growth and development region and the nation,” Dr. Cultura said. He also reported that in just three years, USTP can expand different programs in the university in support of the youth. This year’s Kahigayonan Caravan is the second leg conducted by the OSYDA. (PIA-10/IJBD)
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