NOLITC graduates 57 trainees

An 18-year-old mother, Betzaida Mari de la Cruz Ocampo, from Barangay Nagasi, La Carlota City, who completed her high school education through the Alternative Learning System, led the latest graduates of contact center service NC II course for prospective call center agents and the English language proficiency program of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center's Training-for-Work Scholarship Program.

The 57 successful trainees yesterday received their certificates during the NOLITC graduation rites, attended by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., a press release from NOLITC said.

Vocational school administrator, Ma. Cristina Orbecido, who heads the 7-year-old NOLITC that was opened as an IT-based training center by the late Gov. Joseph Marañon, said the new batch of trainees brings to 2,463 the total number of graduates, 80 percent of whom are gainfully employed in IT-BPO firms in Bacolod City.

Marañon paid tribute to the workforce in the IT-BPO sector, saying that because of the potentials of this industry, the provincial government has made substantial investments to further propel its growth in the province.

Board Member Salvador Escalante of the second district recounted how NOLITC was started by the late governor, who had envisioned the transformation of the storied yet out-dated Paglaum Sports Complex into an IT Park.

NOLITC EXAPANSION EYED

NOLITC is here to help young Negrenses acquire jobs because the IT-BPO is one of the most dynamic industries in the country today, Marañon said, adding that based on forecast of industry leaders, the IT-BPO sector and its workforce are expected to surpass the contributions made by overseas Filipino workers in three years' time, the press release said.

He assured that under his administration, the services of NOLITC will continue to expand apart from the first barangay-based extension school that was recently opened in Barangay Suay, Himamaylan City, and the previous partnerships forged with the local governments of Kabankalan and Cadiz.

PITCH FOR DAANG MATUWID

Marañon said the nation's economy today is on the upswing, and all these gains, economically, were because of the successful programs of President Aquino in weeding out corruption.

We could only be able to sustain these gains if we continue the “daang matuwid” or straight path governance that he had championed, and by supporting a successor with untarnished image as a public servant, he added.

EMOTIONALLY-CHARGED

Emotions ran high as graduate-trainee Ocampo, who at 17, became a single mother, took the microphone. A daughter of a driver-laborer from Himamaylan City, she recounted the hardships of her family in giving her good education, only to end up as a “prodigal daughter”.

But after giving birth to her daughter, she said she started anew, enrolled under the ALS and finished her secondary education June 2015, and inquired at NOLITC if she can qualify as candidate for the contact center service course.

She passed all the tests, validation exams, assessments and final interview, and starting Sept. 15, she will start working at Teleperformance as technical support representative, the press release added.*

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Underweight
kids get milk packs
BY KARLA PANGANIBAN

Seven hundred milk packs were given yesterday to 100 underweight pre-school children in several local government units in Negros Occidental, as part of the Milk Feeding Program of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, in coordination with the Provincial Veterinarian's Office.

Ma. Teena Pineda-Abecedo, supervising home management specialist IV of OPA, said that through the program, they could help severely underweight children aged 0-5 years old, gain normal weight.

Forty-one children from Hinigaran received 287 milk packs, 12 from La Castellana were benefited with 84 packs, 38 kids in Valladolid got 266, and nine in San Enrique received 63 packs, she said.

Dr. Maria Regina Gawan, dairy development program coordinator, said that the PVO, led by provincial veterinarian, Dr. Renante Decena, is doing its role by supplying milk to LGUs.

We deliver twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays; the supplies are sustainable for the whole week of feeding the children, she said.

She said that last Thursday, they distributed 1,515 packs to Murcia, EB Magalona and Manapla.

Gawan said the milk packs were produced from the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm at La Granja, La Carlota City.

Meanwhile, Abecedo said the program runs from September to December, and is being led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan.*Karla Panganiban

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LCC Bacolod celebrates
66th alumni homecoming

The 66 th general alumni homecoming of La Consolacion College Bacolod was held September 6, and organized by the school's alumni association, on the theme “LCC Bacolod Sinadya Pa More”, its press release said.

The day began with sports events at the quadrangle, with the basketball and volleyball games played among alumni classes and students. The volleyball teams of boys and girls won the match with the teams of Class 1975. In basketball, Class 1998 bested Class 1990.

A Eucharistic celebration followed at the auditorium, presided over by Msgr. Louie Galbines. After the mass, LCC Bacolod president, Sr. Gavina Barrera, welcomed the alumni, and praised their achievements and contributions to the community.

A city-wide motorcade kicked off the afternoon activities, that included a flag raising event where the celebrating classes of 1965, 1975, 1970, 1960, 1980, 1985 and 1990 were introduced and cheered by classmates and friends.

The high school class of 1990, that is celebrating their 25th year jubilee, is the main sponsor of the homecoming. They presented their donation of sports equipment to the Integrated School of LCC Bacolod. Dr. Jojit Araña, their class representative, said the donation is intended to support the institution's sports program that has produced award-winning players in external competitions, the press release also said.

Sr. Magdalena Tallafer, regional superior of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, and former principal of LCC Bacolod, received the donation.

Four alumni from the sponsoring classes were also honored. They are Dr. Jennifer Muyco-Lim and Jocelyn Conti of Class 1975; and Joel Jaranilla of Class 1980. A posthumous award was given for Ambrosio Borromeo of Class 1965, that was received by his classmates.

The second Search for Homecoming Queen was also held, and Theresa Macainan of Class 1980 won the title. Other title bearers were Chuchi Martinez of Class 1965, crowned the “Queen of Unity”; Beverly Bautista of Class 1968, “Queen of Charity”; and Teresa Faeldonea of Class 1997, “Queen of Truth”.

Homecoming highlight was a variety show of original Pinoy music, and each class presented song and dance numbers. Before each performance, a tribute was presented by the main sponsor for the celebrating class, that highlighted stories from when they were students at LCC to their big achievements after graduation.

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