In an innovative move to enhance self-reliance and community engagement, police officers in Mandaue City are exchanging their handcuffs for baking tools as part of a comprehensive livelihood training program. This initiative aims to equip them with practical skills that can serve both in their professional duties and as a supplementary source of income.
Hands-On Training for Police Personnel
Twenty-five personnel from the Mandaue City Police Office are currently participating in an 18-day Bread and Baking Production training program. During this intensive course, they are learning to create a variety of baked goods, including bread, cakes, and pastries. On the third day of training, held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the officers engaged in a hands-on session at the Opao Barangay Hall, where they baked chocolate cakes and butter cookies.
Support and Goals of the Initiative
The program is supported by Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon and represents the first livelihood project launched for MCPO personnel. According to Cirilo Acosta Jr., the training is designed to help officers acquire new skills outside of their regular police work. "This livelihood project was initiated by the Mandaue City Police Office to help our personnel acquire new skills such as bread and pastry making," Acosta stated.
He emphasized that the program could provide an extra source of income for police officers while also reducing costs within police stations. "One of our goals is for the snacks served in police stations and during conferences to be prepared by our own personnel so we can ensure both cleanliness and quality," he added.
Community Impact and Outreach
Beyond benefiting the police force, the trained personnel are expected to share their newfound skills with the communities they serve. "They will share these skills with the community to help improve livelihood opportunities in the areas where we serve," Acosta explained. Graduates of the training may also volunteer to prepare food for community outreach activities, such as feeding programs in Mandaue City.
Acosta highlighted the timing of the program, noting that it comes at a period when many are facing financial difficulties. "At this time, when the world is facing economic challenges, we believe this training will help us learn how to prepare our own food and become more self-sustaining," he said.
Training Details and Certification
The training is being conducted by the TMJ Technology Skills Training Institute and Assessment Center Inc. Trainer Luis Gerunda mentioned that this is the first batch of police personnel to undergo the program. Participants are attending eight hours of training daily from April 14 to May 7, covering the fundamentals of bread and pastry production.
After completing 114 hours of training, they will undergo an assessment. Those who pass will receive a National Certificate II (NCII) from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. While the trainees in this batch are not receiving the P160 daily support allowance typically given to beneficiaries, Gerunda confirmed that the training and assessment costs are fully covered under the program.
Strengthening Skills and Opportunities
The MCPO stated that this initiative not only strengthens the skills of its personnel but also creates opportunities for officers to support their families and extend livelihood knowledge to the communities they serve. This holistic approach aims to foster greater self-reliance and community resilience in Mandaue City.
