CAPIZ – The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) spearheaded a youth empowerment campaign in Roxas City to support out-of-school youth (OSY) through livelihood and skills training opportunities.
The initiative, carried out under the program Aton Mamumugon kag Mangunguma Organisahon Manggad na dapat Amligan (AMOMA), combines DOLE’s livelihood assistance with training support from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The campaign aims to equip OSYs with both income-generating opportunities and practical skills for long-term growth.
Atty. Michelle Yotoko, chief of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Western Visayas Regional Legal Service, stressed that AMOMA aligns with the Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) framework. She noted that empowering the youth not only strengthens police-community relations but also helps prevent crime by engaging them in constructive activities.
Roxas City Police Station chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Jomuad Jr. welcomed the campaign, describing it as a holistic strategy that addresses both livelihood and education needs. Similarly, Lieutenant Colonel Lumayaen Lidawan, commander of the 1st Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company, encouraged participants to choose livelihood projects that match their skills to ensure sustainability and personal fulfilment.
Civil Service Commission-Capiz director Vizur-Ty Gaitano also inspired the youth, reminding them that poverty should not hinder their education. He underscored that programs like this give OSYs a second chance to pursue studies while earning to support their families.
Mary Chris Medina, DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) focal person and information officer, introduced the Job Start Program, which offers career coaching, life skills training, technical instruction, and paid internships. She said the initiative is designed to boost employability and prepare youth for long-term career success.
“This program aims not only to help young people secure jobs but also to provide them with skills that will sustain their growth in the workforce,” Medina said.
The campaign highlighted the collective effort of government agencies to open pathways for education, livelihood, and empowerment for Capisnon out-of-school youth./PN
