The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Siquijor is set to provide more trainings for members of the Bitaug Small Coconut Farmers Association (BISMACOFA).

During the meeting held at the Egg-Laying Chicken Shed of the community at Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, Provincial Director Fletcher Gumahad said organic farming training would be a good follow-up to the organic farming that the community has started through vermicomposting and apply the product to their own farms and other farms in the municipality.

As the leading agency of Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the the government’s End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program, Gumahad assured that they will offer free skills trainings on organic farming with free assessment or certification and allowances through the trainings for the BISMACOFA members. 

BISMACOFA is one of the recipents of the convergence initiatives of different government agencies that deliver programs and services to improve the lives of people living in marginalized communities.

TESDA Siquijor, together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Siquijor Provincial S&T Center represented by Engr. Mario de la Pena, in close coordination with the Siquijor State College with Dr. Philna PalongPalong as the project coordinator, worked in the implementation of the DOST’s Community Empowerment Thru Science and Technology/Science & Technology Community-based for Inclusive Development project.

Palongpalong leads the community in the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the current projects of the community.

During the meeting, attendees were oriented of the programs, processes of the agencies and what to expect.

A site visit of the projects was also done to assess the skills needs of the group.

Gumahad assured the group that members will be offered free skills trainings on organic farming with free assessment or certification and allowances throughout the course of the trainings. (PR/Engr. Joelline Ann Ates, SRA&IO-designate/DOST Siquijor PSTC S&T Media Service)