Development projects in 42 priority villages all over the country were simultaneously implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in its recently-concluded week-long celebration of its 26th anniversary.
The 42 barangay development projects kicked off in 16 Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) prioritized barangays, 12 barangays identified by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and 14 Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC)-identified barangays.
As the lead agency of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), TESDA has already consulted all of these Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and identified the livelihood support they need to improve their living conditions.
In Luzon, among the projects launched was the Turn-On-The-Sun (TOTS) project for the village of Puray in Montalban town which is one of the priority barangays under the Retooled Community Support Program of the NTF-ELCAC.
The Project TOTS in Rizal Province enrolled 23 IPs, one Barangay Kagawad, and a member of Philippine Army.
In Barangay Pudong, Kabangan, Benguet, TESDA-CAR launched the 3rd batch of its Project SILAW which will provide beneficiaries free training on solar lights installation.
TESDA-Sorsogon launched "Livelihood Community Based Food Production Project" in the Municipality of Prieto Diaz where baking apparatus and other toolkits were distributed to their scholars.
Several agri-related programs were also launched in Quezon City, and in Ilocos region.
In Visayas, TESDA-Region VI launched a PRLEC convergence program at Barangay Boloc, Tubungan, Iloilo attended by representatives from the Cabungaan Farmers’ Association who will undergo skills training on Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Masonry NC I, Carpentry NC II, Animal Production, Poultry-Chicken NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, and Backyard Tilapia/Catfish Production.
A Training Induction Program was initiated by TESDA-Region VIII in Barangay Kahupian, Sogod, Southern Leyte where 25 scholarship slots in Carpentry NC II and Driving NC II, and another 20 slots in Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II were given to identified beneficiaries of the community.
In Mindanao, TESDA-Region XI inaugurated the FIRST Bread Basket Bakeshop in Barangay, Magwawa, Sto.Tomas, Davao del Norte which is now managed by the Magwawa Skilled Workers Association.
Magwawa was provided by TESDA Davao del Norte with skills training for bread making last December, 2019, in partnership with Philippine Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion.
To maximize their market, a brand-new motorcycle was donated by a partner private company, Ecner Banana Corporation, which will be used for the delivery of baked products to nearby sitios.
TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña led the distribution of allowances for 50 IP scholars at Survival Garden, Barangay Tablu, Tampakan, South Cotabato who are currently taking Pest Management and Organic Agriculture Vocational Courses.
"We will provide more agricultural programs for Tampakan. I am happy to know that Region 12 is addressing the agricultural concerns of our IP communities," he said.
Together with Senator Manny Pacquiao and local officials, the TESDA chief also led the inauguration of the newly-built TESDA-XII Regional Office located in Barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City.
Lapeña is the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).