Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (November 11) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently launched the Kabataan-Information Technology Opportunities (K-ITo) project in Santiago City.

Grace Ursua, DOLE regional director for Cagayan Valley region said the launching features the employment of at least 80 Information Technology (IT) - enabled mentors and volunteers to teach more than 640 young people who belong to the disadvantaged and informal sectors in the society.

The launching was attended by some 40 mentors, trainees, local chief executives & their representatives the cities of Cauayan and Santiago and the town of San Mateo, school officials and other guests was held at the Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT).

The mentors will teach an IT module consisting of a preparatory lesson on computer hardware familiarization, computer operation, MS Word processing application, and a final lesson on the use of the Internet for research and communication. The IT sessions will be for 22 hours. Every mentor will be entitled to a stipend of P25.00/hr/beneficiary.

Part of the launching was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the project between the DOLE and partner agencies, followed by the signing of the service contract by the mentors and regional director Ursua.

Partner agencies for the implementation of the special project are the Isabela State University (ISU) Cauayan City and SICAT for providing the venue and computer units to be utilized by the mentors, and the city government of Santiago and Cauayan, and the Municipality of San Mateo for the screening of the mentors and identification of the beneficiaries/trainees for the project.

Santiago City mayor Amelita S. Navarro of Santiago City expressed support and appreciation on the implementation of the project with the DOLE to help provide employment opportunities for the youth. "This project is one of the best mechanisms in addressing the dwindling participation of youth in employment", she said.

Navarro also released some P90,000 pesos to the SICAT to defray expenses during the courses of the learning sessions such as the electric consumption, maintenance cost, supplies among others.

Ursua also expressed gratitude to the partner agencies for their support in mobilizing youth mentors and provided computer facilities for the familiarization and appreciation sessions on information technology for the disadvantaged out-of-school youth and other members of the society who are interested to learn the basics of computer operation.

In her speech, Ursua underscored the objective of the project, which is designed to teach young people with proper knowledge and skills in basic information technology without joining the formal education system.