SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Office recently awarded toolkits to 185 scholars in various municipalities in Occidental Mindoro to kick-start their livelihood.

The toolkits, totaling P633,425.64, were awarded upon the completion of the scholars’ skill training aimed to provide the beneficiaries with knowledge and equipment towards securing a gainful source of income.

A total of 153 beneficiaries who underwent bread and pastry production training received an electric oven with baking tools such as measuring spoons and cups, a digital weighing scale, and a mixing bowl.

This comprises 136 scholars from the municipality of Sablayan and 20 participants from the municipality of Rizal belonging to the Mangyan Indigenous People (IP).

On the other hand, 29 scholars who took assembly of solar nightlight and post lamp training received gears for solar light installation including a multi-tester, soldering iron, solder sucker, and pliers.

Nabat Agaw from the Buhid Mangyan IP community shared his first skill training under TESDA.

“Kauna-unahang beses [ito na pagsasanay na nadaluhan ko at] natuto kami. Nahirapan kami noong una sa pagsukat ng mga sangkap kasi hindi pa kami pamilyar doon pero nakayanan namin. Bibili na lang kami ng harina at iba pang kagamitan [na kakailanganin] para makagawa kami ng tinapay [kasi may oven na kami],” Agaw explained.

Agaw added that their group who received the same training from Barangay Manoot, Rizal is looking at possibilities of making bread for their community as an association.

Agaw also expressed his gratitude  to Tesda.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga taong may mga pusong nagbibigay ng pag-aaral sa mga katutubo. Akala nga po namin ay dahil katutubo lang kami, hindi kami makakarating sa ganitong gawain. Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga taong tumutulong,” Agaw said.

According to TESDA, it is a community-based specialty training that aims to provide suitable skills training and equipment for its beneficiaries to acquire sustainable livelihood through entrepreneurial, self-employment, and service-oriented activities. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa - Occidental Mindoro)