Eight participants from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Marillac Hills – National Training School for Girls have completed their training on digital solutions under IBM’s SkillsBuild Program.

From learning basic computer functions, the girls progressed to coding and later developed two functional web applications—an online quiz app and a to-do list app.

During a ceremony marking the end of the training on Friday, 21 November, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the eight graduates that the Department will continue supporting them as they prepare for life after residential care.

“Hindi pa tapos ’yung istorya nyo. We’re looking at that employment angle and additional assistance para makabalik kayo sa mga komunidad nyo,” Gatchalian told the learners.

("Your story isn’t over yet. We’re looking at employment opportunities and additional support so you can return to your communities.")

The activity marked the completion of their SkillsBuild journey, part of the DSWD's efforts to equip children in residential care with foundational technical skills.

Gatchalian praised the learners for their progress and noted their significant transformation since their initial meeting at Marillac Hills.

"It's not every day that you see raw talent converted into real talent. We started very raw, but now you can see the vast potential of what they've become," he said.

Beyond technical skills, the most meaningful outcome was the learners' renewed sense of hope and direction, the DSWD chief noted.

“'Yung learning to regain hope, o yung makamit niyo ulit yung pag-asa na nawala, at sabihin nyo na gusto ko nakatingin ako sa harap, kesa sa lilingon ako sa nakaraan, ‘yun mahirap talaga gawin yun. Kaya ako natutuwa ngayong hapon kasi may walo kaming kasama ngayon—eight hopeful individuals who are excited to live for the future. ‘Yun yung pinaka-importante sa akin ngayon,” Gatchalian said.

("Learning to regain hope, or to recover the hope that was lost, and saying ‘I want to look forward rather than look back at the past’—that is really hard to do. That’s why I’m happy this afternoon because we have eight individuals with us now—eight hopeful individuals who are excited to live for the future. That is the most important thing for me today.")

He assured the group that the program will continue even after the ceremony. The Department will continue working with them, particularly as they prepare for age-out and reintegration into their communities.

“Ang assurance ko sa inyo, hindi matatapos ito with the 8 of them. Meaning, the 8 of them, upuan namin ulit ng team namin because alam ko mag-e-age out na sila ngayon, o next year. Pero ang pangako namin sa inyo is now that you have the skills, you have to move to the next part of the pilot program. Hopefully, employment and hopefully independent living," he added.

("My assurance to you is that this does not end with these eight. Our team will continue working with them because I know they will age out now or next year. But our promise to you is that now that you have the skills, you have to move to the next part of the pilot program—hopefully employment, and hopefully independent living.")

Gatchalian said assessment results from IBM and its training team reinforced the learners' potential in technical fields.

"Ang daming nakalagay dun, highly recommended for technical skills or technical employment. Sinasabi nila nakitaan nila kayo ng galing at ng passion to do this," he said.

("Many things are written there—highly recommended for technical skills or technical employment. They said they saw your talent and passion to do this.")

The DSWD chief thanked IBM Philippines for collaborating on a program that gives vulnerable youth access to digital learning.

"Thank you to IBM. I hope you guys don't tire of DSWD knocking at your doors to bring more children to hone their future into technical, productive members of society," Gatchalian said.