(Photo courtesy of Office of MP Diamila Disimban-Ramos) MANILA - At least 50 Bangsamoro scholars who came from vulnerable sectors in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City graduated from the "ANOGON KO PAGTAW: 2021 Bangsamoro Scholarship Program for Technical Vocational Education Training on Dressmaking and Bread and Pastry NCII". The graduation rites of the program which was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education- Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) and the Office of Bangsamoro Member of Parliament (MP) Diamila Disimban-Ramos took place last January 20 at the Marawi Resort Hotel inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. The skills training which commenced on Nov. 8, 2021, has benefitted 25 scholars for the Dressmaking course which ran for 38 days, and 25 scholars for the Bread and Pastry course that ran for 21 days. In addition, the scholars have undergone rigid training on basic skills in dressmaking and bread and pastry through blended learning such as Modules, face-to-face classes for the actual training, and Values Transformation Training facilitated by the Bangsamoro Development Agency. In her welcome address, Ramos extended her warm felicitations to the 50 scholars who have endured all the struggles and successfully finished the skills training. "To our graduates, may this BSPTVET programs that you have undergone, capacitate and equip you with the necessary skills and hone your talents to become competitive and productive Bangsamoro skill-oriented learners and professionals. Nawa ay magsilbing inspirasyon at oportunidad ito sa inyong hakbang upang umunlad at mapalago ang inyong kabuhayan (May it serve as an inspiration and opportunity as you strive to grow and develop your livelihood)," she said. MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal, through lawyer Dayang Akirah L. Sansarona, extended his congratulations to the graduates. "I congratulate all of our 50 graduates for completing the skills training. You should be proud of yourselves for achieving this milestone since this is the beginning of a career path that will help you grow professionally, support your family and contribute to our society's progress," he added. Furthermore, the MBHTE-TESD provincial director's representative Jalilah Sapiin underscored the significance of the training. "Naniniwala po kami na wala po ang opisina namin kung wala kayo na aming pinagsisilbihan. We are actually inspired by all of you, we are happy that at least in our own way we are providing new light to your lives (We believe that our office would not exist if not for you. We are actually inspired by all of you and we are happy that at least in our own way we are providing new light to your lives)," Sapiin said. Meanwhile, Mujahid Disimban from the Cooperative Development Authority (lauded the collaboration of the agencies and partner institutions for the successful conduct of the training and further challenged the graduates. "Gawin niyong instrumento itong pagtatapos niyo upang magsimula, magexplore ng bagong oportunidad para sa inyong kinabukasan (Take this as an instrument to start and explore new opportunities for your future)," he added. On the part of the trainees, Nashrima Alimoden shared her experience during the training and thanked Ramos' office, the MBHTE-TESD Lanao del Sur, Everly Sisters Multi-Skills, and Learning Center, Datu Daud Learning Center and other partner institutions for the learning and livelihood opportunity extended to them. "Sobrang malaki po ang tulong ng programang ito saamin dahil matutulongan niya po kami sa aming paghahanapbuhay (This program is a great help for us because it can help us in augmenting our livelihood)," she added. Meanwhile, the guests, graduates, trainers, and partner agencies were given certificates of participation and appreciation. Aside from the tool kits that the Office of MP Ramos will provide, the trainees also received their allowances as part of the Training Support Fund by the MBHTE-TESD Lanao del Sur. (PR) }