Robles, M. T. (2014). Livelihood training on electricity for young adults of Bato, Catanduanes (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management Development Program Senior Executives Class Batch 2 Thesis (SEC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Like other towns in the Pacific Island, Bato is frequented by typhoons. This can happen up to 20 times per year, with some typhoons developing into really devastating calamities that can level the entire town. Flooding ensues in the Poblacion due to the river overflowing its bank. Bato is in the Bicol area, the seventh poorest region in the country (Philippine Statistical Authority, 2014). The proponent has chosen Bato as the locale of the plan because of the proximity to the TESDA operated institution: the Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industries (CSHCI). It is the fifth class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, politically subdivided into 27 barangays with a population of 19,984 people (2010 Census). It is located at the south-eastern portion of Catanduanes and is bounded on the north by the municipality of San Miguel; on the east by the Philippine Sea; on the south by Cabugao Bay and, on the west, by Virac, the capital town of Catanduanes, which is just 8 kilometers from Bato. The Municipality of Bato is fully energized with 90% of the households enjoying the luxury that electrically-powered appliances can offer. Despite this situation, the demand for the services of barangay electricians is still high, especially in remote barangays where the services of the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO), Inc. cannot be accessed outright. Given these conditions, the youth of Bato are deemed important assets to promote the welfare of the community, as well as to enhance the young's opportunities for a useful, worthy and happy life. Since resources are limited to provide formal tertiary education in this fifth class municipality, alternative education that can address the town's practical needs is looked into. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is one of the principal agencies tasked to carry out plans and programs for civilian development (United Nations, 2002). The Livelihood Training Program is the AFP's support to the country's education in the countryside. Its primary objectives are to reduce illiteracy rate, provide clientele with basic academic tools, and generate or augment income through the integration of skills training. Selected soldiers are trained as teachers or literacy facilitators, who in effect disseminate government activities and goals, develop self-reliance, create worthwhile endeavors, and integrate the graduates into the formal education system. In Bato, the 83rd Infantry Battalion, operating for internal peace and security in the entire island province of Catanduanes, has been previously directed by higher headquarters to give emphasis on livelihood training programs to help the soldiers, their dependents, and civilians in the remote areas to have an alternative or additional source of income and for daily consumption. The livelihood are low cost and low maintenance, but highly profitable with high market demand. In compliance with the command guidance, these projects were carried out in various areas in Catanduanes. The proponent aimed to enhance the existing informal training, starting with the inter-agency coordination to fit the livelihood program within the community as part of the collaborative efforts among multi-stakeholders: the Civil Military Operations Group or CMOG together with 83rd Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, and with the support of the provincial and municipal government, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO), Incorporated. More that this, the main intent of this project was to help the provincial government of Catanduanes, specifically the municipality of Bato, to provide learning opportunities to young adults in order enhance livelihood skills for gainful employment here and abroad.. The Re-Entry Project or ReP was able to teach twenty-five young adults, of ages between 17 to 20 years old, for the period of fifty-five (55) days that involved classroom instruction and practical exercises for Electrical Installations and Maintenance. At the of the program, the participants were recognized graduates of Electrical Installations and Maintenance NCII Skills Training Program.