 |
| DELFINO Nicanor Néquiz, Mexican master mason and instructor at Escuela Taller, (left) reviews the plans for the stone carvings of the grand staircase of the Paseo de Paoay with one of his students while working in Paoay, Ilocos Norte last November 15, 2013. The PGIN will partner with Escuela Taller, an Intramuros-based trade school established by a Spanish agency, in implementing a free six-month basic masonry training for Ilocos Norte youth. (Alaric A. Yanos) |
By Jennifer T. Pambid
PGIN-CMO
For the first time in Northern Luzon, a free six-month training for
basic masonry will be offered by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte
(PGIN) Task Force Trabaho to at least 30 Ilocano youth starting July this year
in Paoay.
According
to June Arvin Gudoy, Communications and Media Office head, the program is in
partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as well as the Escuela Taller, a
school established by a Spanish agency that teaches trades within the
construction industry that will help in the restoration of built heritage sites
in the Philippines.
“Each
trainee will be given an initial daily allowance of P150.00 and PGIN is
planning to provide additional assistance such as free board and lodging. We
therefore encourage our youth here in Ilocos Norte, especially the
out-of-school youth, aged 17 to 24 years old to avail of this great
opportunity,” Mr. Gudoy said.
Masonry,
the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by
mortar, is a highly durable form of construction and is in demand in Manila and
abroad.
However,
Mr. Gudoy said the free training will focus on restoration particularly of
heritage sites including buildings, museums and churches.
“After
the program, the trainees will be hired for the restoration projects of the
various heritage sites in the province. They can also use the skills, which are
very in demand, if they wish to work outside the province and even abroad,” he
added.
Aside
from its aim of providing additional job opportunities, the program is also in
line with PGIN’s vision to further strengthen the promotion of Ilocos Norte as
a top tourist destination.
One
of the most visited sites in Ilocos Norte is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Paoay
Church renowned for its distinct architecture with the enormous buttresses on
its sides and back.
In
her State of the Province Address last year, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee”
R. Marcos highlighted that in Ilocos Norte, culture sells and has become a
livelihood rather than leisure to the locals.
“People
come to see this special culture that is unique and different from anything
else from the world… We must urgently put in place a cultural strategy not
merely to protect heritage sites and museums, but to promote art galleries and
spaces, endow the schools of architecture, design, literature, gastronomy, and
renew vanishing indigenous cultures,” Ms. Marcos said.
Interested
applicants may contact 0948-290-0772 or visit the Sirib Youth Office at the
Marcos Stadium, Laoag City.
Comments
Post a Comment