By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.

Selected government officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development – Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), together with CPU officials, participated in the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of the CPU Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center.

On July 8, 2025, the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CPU Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center, also known as the University Tailoring Shop and Training Center where the personnel are trained by former 4Ps beneficiaries from the Asosasyon ng Pantawid Pamilyang Mananahi (APPM).

Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, led the dedication ceremony, which was followed by messages of support. Government officials were present, along with selected outreach coordinators, CPU faculty and officials, and APPM members.

This training center is based on the call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Western Visayas to help the government orchestrate social development initiatives for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) so that they can have an income source if ever they are out of the conditional cash transfer program of the government. At the same time, the APPM was organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program and former CESL Director Engr. Levi O. Delos Santos, Jr. in 2015.

With the Republic Act No. 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007, aiming to promote Philippine volunteerism, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development – Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) encourages various higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country to integrate volunteerism in the three mandated functions of instruction, research, and extension and where CESL Center commits to craft, implement, and incorporate volunteerism initiatives into its outreach activities and community engagement initiatives.

The Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center will announce to the public when the CPU Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center is ready to accept training and workshops on sewing and tailoring for individuals with an interest in these topics. Also, the tailoring shop and training center is now accepting the tailoring and sewing services needs of the CPU faculty, staff, students, and the public.