‘Building a Future
Away from Home
by Carla P. Gomez

A future for their children and a decent home their families.

This is what drives Negrense trainees working as steelmen, carpenters, masons and cargo handlers to adopt to the Japanese work ethic and culture,  and endure loneliness away from their families, especially through Christmas and winter.

They are among the about 280 Negrenses currently in Japan, brought there by the Negros Japan-Human Resource Exchange Association Inc. for three-year on the job training through the Multi-Contractors Cooperative of Japan.

The trainees are given an allowance of  $850 a month and free lodging,  and a lump sum bonus of more than P100,000 each at the end of their training to start livelihood ventures on their return to the Philippines, Roberto Montelibano, president of the  NJ-HREA Inc. said.

The skills they learn in Japan also prepare them for future jobs abroad or in the Philippines, Montelibano added. 

Early this month 28 new trainees comprising the 15th batch brought to Japan by NJ-HREA Inc. arrived in Narita, accompanied by the association’s corporate secretary Jose Maria Zayco and vice president Leah Tinsay, and Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco.

Among those in the 15th batch was Rodevi Betila, a welder from Silay City , who said he had gone to Japan to learn new skills and earn money for the future of his 2-year-old daughter, Nicole.

When he comes home he hopes to have enough money to start raising chickens, to sell frozen food and buy two tricycles, he said.

Harold dela Torre, 27, of Barangay Cabug, Bacolod, said he was in Japan to train as a mason. He said back home he had part time jobs and he wanted to earn more for his wife Monina and 2-year-old daughter Hannah so she does not have to go through the hardships he has gone through.

His dream is to start his own piggery when he comes back to the Philippines.

I want to build a house for my future, said Paquito Ignacio Jr., 27, of Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod, who has gone to Japan to work as a steelman.

Eduardo Palencia Jr., 35, of Barangay Alegria , Murcia , said he was in Japan because he needed to earn money for his wife’s goiter treatment and for the education of his children.

The members of the 15th batch have been provided rigid training by NJ-HREA Inc. in the Japanese language, culture and laws to prepare them for their three-year stay in Japan.

Gov. Zayco during his brief visit to Japan early this month aside from observing how the new trainees are prepared to ease into the Japanese work force also met with Negrenses already working there.

He wanted to know if they were being treated well and were happy where they were working.

At the Matsuo Corp. in Narita that makes construction materials the governor met with two Negrenses – Arnel Vinson, 35, of Barangay Alegria, Murcia, and Sammy Alindog Jr., 26, of Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod.

They told the governor that they were happy where they working and kept in touch with their families through their cellular phones.

Vinson said his first three months in Japan were really lonely but he has gotten to use to life there now.

Alindog said there employer was good to them and they were even provided with accommodations that included a karaoke room.

While in Japan the governor also met with Negrenses working for Fujita Airport Co. at the Narita Airport who also assured him that they were happy with their work there, too.

In Japan the governor rallied  the new trainees to show the Japanese that they can learn fast, work hard and can be trusted, so other Negrenses in the future may have the same opportunity as they have.

   He said  while their being away from home and their families for three years will be difficult, it is a sacrifice they will have to make to ensure better opportunities for the future.

Make Negros and the Philippines proud of you, he challenged.

Montelibano said more than 400 trainees from Negros since 2002 who have benefited from the program.

NJ-HREA Inc. is under the Philippine-Technical Skills Development Association Inc.  started by Vicente Paterno in 1989, while the  Multi Contractors Cooperative  implements the training from the  Japan end.

Kunimori Saito, training consultant of the Multi Contractor Cooperative, said it is hoped that more trainees from the Philippines  can be brought to Japan next year with an expected improvement from the worldwide economic slump, that had affected their country, too.

back to top