Government, private sector ink MOA on community livelihood projects

MANILA, Philippines – Two government agencies and a business group – the Philippine Council of Students in Intrapreneurship (PCSI) – signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that aims to boost community projects that would provide livelihood opportunities dubbed “Youth Entrepreneurship Support Project (YES).”

The MOA was signed recently by representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), and the PCSI.

The YES program empowers the youth through entrepreneurial skills development. YES aims to reduce unemployment by creating viable and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the youth.

DOLE partnered with the DTI and PCSI to maximize result on establishing jobs and opportunities for the youth.

Undersecretary of Workers’ Welfare Social Protection (WWSP) Lourdes Transmonte represented DOLE while Undersecretary for Regional Operations Development Group (RODG) Merly Cruz represented DTI. On the other hand, Cyber City Teleservices Senior Executive Vice President George D. Sorio represented the PCSI.

Sorio, who is also PCSI chair, said “PCSI provides the youth opportunities and needed support to start a business. By starting a business, the youth can create jobs. By creating jobs, the youth can provide livelihood, which in turn, stimulates economic development.”

DTI promotes and develops micro small and medium scale enterprises to ensure a focused approach towards entrepreneurship development while PCSI’s records of support to entrepreneurship programs for the youth are beyond reproach, Sorio said.

Cruz said DOLE, being the lead agency, will provide funds for the project. –Ma. Elisa P. Osorio (The Philippine Star)