SIFI conducted its 2018 Annual Assessment and Budget Planning at Seda Centrio, Cagayan De Oro last September 26-29, 2018. All 17 Project Staff presented their accomplishment reports for the current year and raised their problems and concerns related to project implementation. This was followed by their proposed 2019 budgets according to SIFI’s four pillars of development namely; Education, Health, Livelihood and Advocacy.
Among the major concerns and challenges aired by the project officers, the priority courses recommended by DOLE-BWSC posed as a constraint to some of the newly-recruited scholars of SIFI. Aside from agriculture, engineering, accountancy, etc. which are courses needed by the sugar industry, Education, Nursing, HR, Criminology or Marine Transportation were among the preferred courses by the SIFI Scholars as these were also in demand in their respective locations.
TESDA will also be providing free technical skills trainings (welding, automotive) in 2019 which will task SIFI to look for alternative trainings. Moreover, the probability of rate increases in SIFI’s Health Advantage Plan may prevent beneficiary clients from renewing their hospitalization enrollment plans.
