ALABEL, Sarangani (PIA) -- Dream! Continue to dream so that you may be able to achieve your goal in life, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) XII Regional Director Rafael Abrogar II told beneficiaries during the inauguration of the Regional Training Center in Barangay Spring on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

After 18 long years, TESDA Soccsksargen Manpower Development Center (TSOX-MPDC), the first regional training center ever built in the region and where dreams start to come true, is now established.

“The regional training center is the training arm of the regional office. It can respond to the training needs anywhere in the region. Kung naay provincial training center, within the province lang siya pwede mag-respond,” Abrogar said, explaining the difference between the regional and provincial training centers.

According to him, with the many clients that TESDA has on a daily basis, a provincial training center alone will not suffice to address all their needs and clamors.

“Sa kadaghan sa atong kliyente ug possible TVET na atong mga scholars, dili kayahon sa isa ka provincial training center lang. In fact, we are pushing for additional budget gyud nga maka-respond ang TESDA especially now na daghag priorities ang atong bag-o nga administration especially in agriculture, dili kaya sa isa lang ka provincial training center. In fact, kung mahimo kada munisipyo naay training center.”

He said the center is an epitome of TESDA’s dedicated service to “provide relevant, accessible, and high quality and efficient technical education and skills development” in its desire to “empower young men and women” in Soccsksargen.

Realized through the efforts of former Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, the P45 million Phase 1 of the facility is now completed. The construction is divided into three phases with an "ideal" expenditure amount of P150 million.

But Abrogar said, they have been conducting training and producing graduates of different courses even before the building’s inauguration had even taken place. They have at least 2,000 and counting beneficiaries since the facility opens.

Courses offered include Photovoltaic System Servicing NC III; Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCII; Organic Agriculture Production NCII; Pest Management NCII; Driving NCII; Plumbing NCII; Trainer Methodology Level I and II; Community-based Trainers Methodology; Contact Tracing Level II; and Solar Powered Irrigation System and Maintenance Level II.

For 2022, it has 1,037 scholarship slots with a total fund allocation of P12.8 million, broken down further to three types of scholarships, namely Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), 921 slots; Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), 41 slots; and Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program (TTSP), 75 slots.  

TSOX-MPDC, which broke ground on December 14, 2019, is sprawled over a 4.5 hectare-land donated by the local government unit of Alabel through the leadership of Mayor Vic Paul Salarda, who pledged to continuously provide financial assistance to be taken from the municipality’s development fund.

With an open and appreciative heart, Governor Rogelio “Ruel” Pacquiao dedicated the building to his brother, Sen. Pacquiao whom he described as a man with the “big heart” for the beneficiaries and the people in general.

He said the facility is Senator Pacquiao’s legacy of leadership, as he thanked his brother for grooming him to be a good public servant and helping realized the construction of the training center before his term ended.     

“This is an answered prayer of the Sarangans. This will definitely transform peoples’ lives because for decades there had been an influence of the New People’s Army in this area but with the government’s continued efforts and interventions through these years they’re gone now,” Gov. Pacquiao said in vernacular.

He noted that with the presence of the training center, there is no reason for the now mainstreamed rebels to relapse to their old ways.

The governor, who also assured his full support to the operations of the training center, sounded off that “no one will be left behind under his administration. Everyone’s welcome here at the Regional Center.”

In finale, Provincial Information Officer Joana Grace Lapore conveyed Senator Pacquiao’s keynoting his continued love and support for the people of Sarangani. He also provided some advice to TESDA scholars.

“Sa atong mga TESDA scholars, para sa inyo ang tanan namong paningkamot. Kamo ug ang inyong pamilya ang among rason nganong naay regional training center dinhi sa atong probinsya. Gamita ninyo ang inyong maton-an para sa inyong kaugmaon. Pagtuon mo ug tarong. Gamita ang inyong skills para makakuha mog trabaho ug matabangan ninyo ang inyong pamilya ug ang atong probinsya.”

Aside from the scholars, also present during the activity were TESDA Board members Rene Luis Tadle and Randolph Nonato; TESDA SarGen Provincial Director El Cid Castillo; provincial directors from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato; provincial and municipal department heads; other partners and stakeholders; and the media. (CTA/PIA SarGen)