CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Supporting the government's move to end local communist armed conflict, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-10 provided free skills training to 9,026 former rebels in the region.

"Kami sa TESDA nagpadayon mi sa atong mga programa nga suportahan gayud ang inisyatiba sa gobyerno against aning insurhensiya so nagsugod ta aning skills training kay mao mana ang mandato nato sa TESDA ug uban pa nga livelihood intervention partikularmente sa agrikultura ug construction nga mga pagbansay-bansay," TESDA-10 Regional Director Ashary Banto said.

(TESDA continuously implements programs to support the initiative of the government against insurgency, thus, we started the skills training since this is the mandate of TESDA, and other livelihood interventions particularly on agriculture and construction training)

During the CORDS-X Podcast with Communications Sec. and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-X Martin Andanar, Banto said 71 barangays are prioritized in northern Mindanao and through the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), various agencies help TESDA-10 in attaining its goals in making government services accessible to all.

In doing so, TESDA-10 visits areas and identify their main concerns to have a harmonious living. In their dialogue with the members of these communities, TESDA found out that one of the main concerns is the lack of electricity. 

“Naningkamot ta nga maghatag ta’g skills training or pagbansay-bansay sa solar panel or photovoltaic system solar panel installation through skills training mao na ang atong una nga gihatag didto kay nagtuo ta nga mao na ang pwede nato isugod nga programa didto,” he said.

(We worked hard to provide skills training on photovoltaic system solar panel installation. This is the very first training we offered because we know that this is a good start in the area)

Together with the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10, Banto said they also offer training on agricultural crops production, raise organic chicken, and hog raising. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 is also tapped to equip the community members on the entrepreneurial skills needed to make a business out of the interventions provided.

TESDA skills training courses are offered free under the PRLEC program and they also provide P160 daily allowance to their scholars including an additional of P500 allowance for personal protective equipment (PPE) and P500 for internet connectivity. 

“Kay nakipag-tie up man ta sa GSIS ani nga programa, naa sila’y accident insurance coverage for one year kay simbako anaa ta’y ma-encounter nga mga dili maayo nga incidents, pwede sila madisgrasya, mao atong galikayan so covered sila, naa sila’y accident insurance for one year,” he added. 

(Because we tied up with GSIS [Government Service Insurance System] on this program, they offered an accident insurance coverage for one year. This is important to protect our learners from any untoward incident because they might encounter accidents. This is what we are trying to avoid)

In upholding the minimum public health standards, Banto said their training centers and institutions are required to implement mechanisms to ensure the safety of the learners. The centers must also coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) on the local ordinances observed in the area. (RTP/PIA-10)