Ending the workweek has been a very satisfying day for Mayor Alice as she led the opening ceremonies of the Mobile Skills Training Project (MSTP) to provide job and livelihood opportunities to the underprivileged San Nicolanians.
Held at the municipal gymnasium, the Basic Electrical and Basic Plumbing Course is a scholarship training program facilitated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in partnership with the Pangasinan Provincial Government and the local government of San Nicolas.
Joining Mayor Alice at the ceremonies is Ms. Rachel San Jose of the Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) who represented Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino III. She facilitated the Orientation of the MSTP Training Rules and Procedures.
Graduates of these courses will be issued certificates by TESDA which they can present to any company or firm they intend to work for.
After the ceremonies, Mayor Alice made a round of the usual fieldwork and this time visited the employees working under TUPAD Program in charge for the clean-up at the Barangays of Calaocan, San Jose, and Siblot. After which, she dropped by Agpay Falls to check on the continued face-lifting and clean-up drive as part of the initial preparations for the waterfall’s rehabilitation.
Also during the day, Mayor Alice conducted a site visit of the possible areas for the temporary relocation of the vendors occupying the streets and sidewalks. This after she issued on September 3 a “Notice to Vacate” for vendors to clear all illegal structures along the downtown area. She is joined by the municipal councilors .
Initially, Mayor Alice is considering either the vacant lot near the town’s Fire Station or the vacant fronting the Roman Catholic Church as relocation site.
The move is in accordance with the order of the DILG to reclaim in favor of the government all public roads that have been used for private purposes,
“This order is hereby given to vacate the space which vendors have been illegally squatting for decades already to give way for a smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in our public market,” she noted.
“The provision of a temporary relocation site is actually an additional leeway on top of a 10-day grace period as our humanitarian consideration for them to find a place of their own to continue selling their wares,” she said.
It may be recalled that President Duterte, in his recent State of the Nation Address, gave the DILG a specific order to enforce the clearing of all illegal structures of vendors along all streets and sidewalks in order to give it back for the use of vehicles and pedestrian.
Alicia L. Primicias – Enriquez