AVRC II caters to training needs of PWDs in Visayas regions

CEBU CITY – The Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II (AVRC II), a non-residential facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Central Visayas located at Barangay Labangon, Cebu City has catered to the livelihood training needs of the Persons with Disability (PWD) sector in the Visayas regions.

DSWD-7 senior manpower development officer, Florita Dabon said that the facility was established on September 30, 1974 under Republic Act 1179 of 1954 and Republic Act 2615 of 1959 that mandated the DSWD to establish vocational rehabilitation centers to serve the PWDs.

“Presently there are only 28 active trainees enrolled in the different courses due to the pandemic and the AVRC II is preparing for the next batch of trainees under the new normal setting,” Dabon said.

Dabon bared that the facility has been renovated to suit the needs of the time and to cater to the growing needs of the PWD trainees, after it had been operating for the last 45 years.  

Today, it has its new staff’s office and the training rooms. Included in the improvement of the AVRC II are the main drainage, road network, electrical system of the compound, storage building, guardhouse, canteen, front gate canopy, and water pump. 

“The old AVRC II building was a silent witness of the many success stories of our trainees. I also have profound memories like my interaction with my former supervisors who guided and mentored me, and with my co-staff who helped me along the way,” Dabon said.

The AVRC II caters to those who have impairments in their vision, hearing, speech, mobility, and other forms of physical, mental and social impairment.  Considered are those aged 18-59 years old, willing to acquire vocational skills, and eventually find decent employment and other income-generating activities, Dabon said.

The AVRC II has catered and continues to cater to clients from the Visayas regions – Regions 6, 7, 8. Other AVRCs in the country are in regions 1 for Luzon, region 9 for Mindanao and Quezon City for the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to Dabon the vocational center provides various courses ranging from Commercial Arts and Crafts, Massage Therapy, Dress and Apparel Technology, Commercial Cooking, Consumer Electronics, Housekeeping, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Computer Technology, and Basic Cosmetology.

Aside from the training courses offered, the AVRC II also provides social adjustment services, psychological and vocational guidance services, vocational placement services, medical and dental services, prosthesis services and in-house physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services, Dabon added.

“After 45 years, the AVRC II has changed for the better, and this would help elevate the standards of instruction of our teachers and this would provide a conducive learning environment to our PWD trainees,” Dabon said.

As overseer of the the day to day instruction, Dabon underscored the importance of having a good and proper physical environment to improve the learning of the trainees.  The new building, she bared complies with the accessibility law, its spaces are user-friendly for everyone, especially for the PWD trainees who use wheelchairs, canes and other mobility devices.  

It is equipped with barrier-free facilities and features. The ramps, handrails, tactile(s), braille signs and graphic signs are conspicuously installed in every access from the entry point to the connecting destination.

“Dako akong pasalamat nga gipanindot ang AVRC II kay mas komportable na kini sa amoa nga mag-training diri.” (I am grateful for the improvement of the AVRC because it is more comfortable for us who undergo trainings here),” according to Glenn Tuñacao, an active trainee who hails from Lapulapu City.

“Daghan kong nakat-onan sa AVRC, dili lang sa kung unsay sakto nga pagmasahe, apil pud ang pag-develop sa imong kinaiya o character building.” (I have learned a lot at AVRC, not only on how to properly massage but also developing one’s character or character building),” Glenn added.

Despite being visually-impaired, Glenn is determined to achieve his dream in life. He enrolled in the Massage Therapy course and said that he wants to inspired other PWD, especially those who are just staying at homes and cannot go to school.