Hundreds of disadvantaged and out-of-school youth in Mindanao are expected to benefit from a new technical-vocational training center built by BDO Foundation at the Don Bosco Training Center (DBTC) in Mati City, Davao Oriental. The construction of the building and the provision of tools and equipment for the training of students were made possible by donations from BDO employees.
Located in Barangay Dahican, the two-storey structure was turned over to school administrators and students in an event led by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa and BDO Davao-Mati branch head Gail Lawas. The new training facility was graciously accepted by the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco represented by Cebu Province provincial superior Fr. Godofredo Atienza, DBTC – Mati training director Fr. Rex Carbilledo and DBTC – Mati rector Fr. Rey Jude Albarando.
According to Fr. Albarando, “We Salesians work hard, but we know that without the assistance of others, we could only go so far. We are grateful to people who have a heart for the needy. Thank you BDO family for your support. You have given us Salesians not only the reassurance that God never abandons us. You have also given hope to hundreds, even thousands, of youth in Mindanao.”
In the next three years, around 560 senior high school students from Don Bosco and neighboring public high schools are expected to learn technical-vocational skills through workshops conducted in the new facility. Graduates of DBTC – Mati are hired by some of the biggest industries and companies in the country.
The construction of the tech-voc center in Mati is in keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. 8 to promote sustained economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Through this corporate citizenship initiative, BDO Foundation hopes to contribute to the mission of Don Bosco to capacitate students and make them employable in the Philippines and abroad.
The initiative is also in line with the foundation’s advocacy to support communities marginalized by disasters. In 2012, Typhoon Pablo battered Davao Oriental, devastating thousands of residents in coastal areas. One of the strongest to hit Mindanao, Pablo damaged homes, infrastructure and school buildings.
Photo caption: Donations pooled by BDO employees made possible the construction of a new technical-vocational training facility at Don Bosco Training Center – Mati, an initiative that contributes to the efforts of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco to educate and evangelize underserved youth.
