Fourteen barangays across Zone 9 in Tondo, Manila were turned over two sets of Bread and Pastry Production tools by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday, September 18, to strengthen local vocational training and community employment prospects.
The machinery will support the Manila Manpower Development Center’s (MMDC) “Manpower sa Barangay, Kaagapay sa Kaalaman” initiative, a community-based effort designed to teach practical, marketable trades to local residents.
Following the distribution, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso encouraged local business owners to give preferential hiring treatment to qualified city residents when filling open positions.
“Kapag maraming naghanapbuhay at muling bumalik ang kapanatagan at tiwala sa pamahalaang lungsod, maghahanap sila ng trabahante. At hangga’t maaari, ang lagi kong ipinakikiusap sa kanila: kung maghahanap kayo ng trabahante at naghahanapbuhay kayo sa Maynila, kung puwede, taga-Lungsod ng Maynila ang i-prioritize ninyo,” Domagoso said.
Target beneficiaries for the upcoming baking courses include senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Mayor Domagoso emphasized that expanding access to technical skills training gives residents a stronger edge in securing formal employment opportunities right within the capital city.
“Sige, i-train natin. Para ang mga taga-Maynila, skilled worker, hireable. Puwedeng maging empleyado ng mga negosyante sa Lungsod ng Maynila,” the mayor said.