Providing livelihood opportunities for the Sama-Bajau community, key stakeholders collaborated to launch the Huy-anan nan Bajau Carpentry and Masonry Skills Training on July 17 in Ecovillage, Barangay Lipata, Surigao City.
As part of the broader Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao Project, the 15-day training that will run until August 7 was organized by UN-Habitat Philippines in collaboration with the City Government of Surigao through the Public Employment and Skills Development Office (PESDO), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The skills workshop is a key component of the Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao (Homes for the Bajaus in Surigao) Project formally tagged as Supporting Blue-Green Recovery, Strengthening Resilience, and Promoting Sustainable Growth in Philippine Cities and Communities through Nature-Based Solutions and Circular Economy project.
Funded by the Government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the project aims to provide sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations in the Philippines, especially the Sama-Bajaus in Surigao City who were affected by Typhoon Rai in December 2021. Government partners for this initiative include the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Province of Surigao del Norte, and Surigao City.
Held at the Ecovillage where the new homes of the Sama-Bajau community will be located, the training will culminate in the construction of a 4×5 meter bunk house, which will serve as a warehouse for materials during the building of stilt houses for the indigenous group.
DOLE, through its TUPAD program, will provide daily allowances to the participants for the training period, while the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has contributed sacks of rice to support meals during the training.
Expert trainers from the Livelihood Training and Productivity Center (LTPC) of Surigao City are leading and conducting the sessions.
Forty-four participants, including members of the Sama-Bajau community and informal settlers from Sitio Panubigon, Barangay Lipata, are benefiting from this training.
Romy Catdula, a member of the Sama Bajau community, noted that the skills they acquire will be invaluable as they take on roles as construction workers in building their new stilt houses. This initiative not only provides them with employment opportunities but also empowers them to actively participate in the construction of their homes, fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement. Ronald Amad Bastiong, the alternate representative of the Project Advisory Committee of the Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao Project, noted that while they have been constructing their homes for generations, the training provided them important skills on identifying and computing the materials used in construction as well as introducing them to new technologies like the use of reinforced concrete for stilts on which their homes will be built.
The Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao project goes beyond constructing homes and creating livelihood opportunities. It likewise aims to strengthen the capacities of government agencies in supporting vulnerable populations displaced by disasters and extreme climate events using nature-based solutions. This comprehensive approach ensures sustainable growth and resilience for the communities in the city.
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