GINGOOG CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA)-Misamis Oriental in partnership with the city government of Gingoog held a grand graduation ceremony, on November 22, for 202 Indigenous Peoples (IPs), as part of the government's continued efforts in the-whole-of nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.

Hailing from the eight hinterland barangays of Lunao, Binakalan, Kalipay, Bantaawan, Eureka, Kamanikan, Lawaan, and Sioan, the 202 IPs were enrolled in TESDA-Misamis Oriental’s vocational courses meant to address the needs of their respective communities ranging from agricultural, baking, and tailoring, through consecutive assessments and consultations.

“Nalipay ta nga ato nabati nga naa ang gobyerno nga nag pangga nato tanan, ang ato gobyerno naningkamot nga mahatag kung unsa’y ihatag sa matag-isa nga Gingoognon, busa as your leaders maningkamot pa kami kung unsa’y pa amo mahatag nga supporta alang kaninyo, because this is just the beginning,” Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa shared.

(We are happy that we can feel the government is there for all of us, our government is trying to give what it can give to each Gingoognon, so as your leaders we will try to do what we can to give support for you because this is just the beginning)

The mayor vowed continued assistance to the graduates and urged them to form an association to receive funding and capital through their local government unit’s Financial Assistance through the Livelihood to Associations and Cooperatives program.

For their part, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Misamis Oriental and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Misamis Oriental expressed their support to the IP graduates by sharing their various programs in complementary to their newly honed skills.

As one of the IP graduates under the Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster’s (PRLEC) grand graduation ceremony, Brgy Kalipay Captain Ruel Mantatuan disclosed that he was initially skeptical about the skills training program in their community but was won over by the government’s sincere efforts in listening to their needs and concerns.

Mantatuan also urged his fellow graduates to use the skills they have learned in teaching their families and friends to become empowered and peaceful citizens. (VPSB/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)