The Department of Social Welfare and Development and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University held the culmination of the KALAHI-CIDSS cash-for-work program Oct. 24, benefitting a total of 720 students and alumni.
With a budget of P20,304,000 for CHMSU, the program hired 441 students and 279 alumni from the university.
The cash-for-work program (CWP) hires students and alumni to render a paid 90-day service to government offices.
In her inspirational message during the culmination Oct. 24, social welfare officer Linafe Tibe congratulated the CWP workers for completing their tour of duty.
“This opportunity is especially valuable for alumni and students seeking professional experience right after graduation or while still in school,” Tibe said.
She said she hopes that the salary that the workers received will help their respective families.
Rhoderick Samonte, director of the Center for Internationalization and External Relations (CIER), in his message, thanked DSWD for choosing CHMSU as one of the state universities in the province of Negros Occidental to implement the CWP.
The other academic institutions were the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas and the State University of Northern Negros.
Samonte acknowledged the hardworking CHMSU and DSWD staff, coordinators, and CWP workers across all four campuses – Alijis, Binalbagan, Fortune Towne, and Talisay – who helped manage the workers, monitor document submissions, and facilitate initiatives under the program.
Student Affairs and Services director Maria Victoria Violanda, meanwhile, reminded the workers to share their blessings with their parents and to not spend their salaries all at once.
Violanda added that the students and alumni must also share their blessings with those in need, especially those affected by Tropical Storm Kristine and CHMSUans, who are requesting assistance through the CHMSUcares initiative.
Two representatives on behalf of the workers also shared their experiences working in government offices.
Bachelor of Arts in English Language student Jan Christopher Aurelio highlighted his experience working at the CIER.
He added that the most significant part of working at CHMSU was the Friday cleanups, which taught him to be more environmentally-conscious.
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science graduate Mia Nicole Ruiz also shared her experience working under the Talisay CSWD Office.
She shared that working in a city government office exposed her to opportunities to host events, lead initiatives, and participate in government activities. | CHMSU CIER photos
