16 drug surrenderees now top hollow blocks maker

FROM BEING a public menace, 16 drug surrenderees are now one of the suppliers of hollow blocks in San Juan town in Abra Province.

The journey of the 16 drug surrenderees started when the municipal police station tapped the services of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ( TESDA Abra Provincial Office with an orientation/ advocacy of TESDA programs to the different barangays of San Juan in February 2020.

The 16 drug surrenderees decided to undergo skills training in hollow block making.

The training was conducted by TESDA-Abra on June 10 to 17,2020 coordinated by Marietta Ta- a, PESO manager and Community Training and Employment Coordinator (CTEC) of the municipality of San Juan.

After the training, the group had an initial production of 832 pieces of concrete hollow blocks and sold it to various business establishments and private individuals.

They earned P65,748 from their sales and used the money to improve their production facilities such us putting shades in their work areas, water source connection, and purchase of screen for gravel.

To date, the group is one of the suppliers of hollow blocks in the municipality of San Juan, Abra and they are now completing their orders of 2,650 pieces.

According to Maricon Taclaoan, Community based training focal of TESDA Abra hopes the surrenderees will value the government gave them and continue the right path and share the skills training they have acquired to their family.

“TESDA is always open and will offer programs especially to our special clients,” added Taclaoan.