Taguig City -- As part of its “TESDAmayan” initiative, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has deployed its trainers for different qualifications to the communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña on January 3 led the send-off ceremony of 182 trainer -volunteers to augment the workforce and assist in the provision of technical services in calamity-stricken areas.

According to Lapeña, a total of 92 personnel from Luzon will be transported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to different destinations while 90 others from Region V, IX, XI, and XII will be travelling by land, sea, and commercial flight.

Initially, the said TESDA trainers will be deployed to several areas such as Palawan, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Surigao City, Siargao and Dinagat Islands.

Last week, Lapeña personally visited Caraga Region to check the situation of the residents affected by the Typhoon Odette. He also had discussions with local chief executives in the region for TESDA's assistance on programs and projects needed for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected residents.

“I went around in Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Camiguin in Region X to see for myself the situation on the ground and the devastation I saw there indeed requires our immediate help,” the TESDA Chief said.

TESDA is implementing a Whole-of-TESDA approach in its initiatives through “Buddy System” to ensure a well-coordinated, faster, and more efficient delivery of assistance programs to typhoon-hit areas.

The assigned regions are Region IV-A for Region IV-B; Region II for Region VI; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region I for Region VII; Region V for Region VIII; Region IX for Region X; and the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions III, XI and XII for Caraga Region.

Meanwhile, Lapeña said that the deployed trainers who will be conducting training-cum production on construction-related courses will certainly speed up the rehabilitation and repair of damaged houses.  TESDA has allotted P195-M worth of scholarship funds for this purpose.

He added that the trainings on Solar Installations, and Food Production such as cookery and food processing, will also help residents for their everyday needs like food and electricity.

Further, Lapeña expressed his gratitude for the AFP for its transportation assistance and for the trainer-volunteers who will be deployed.

“This will not be like your ordinary training duties, but I am sure this will be among your significant, if not, the most significant assignment you will ever have as TESDA trainers,” Lapeña said, addressing the trainers.

“We will be doing a noble task which is to help our countrymen, as well as our fellow TESDAns in the regions affected by Typhoon Odette,” he added.

TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices continue to distribute relief packs to communities affected by the typhoon, another “TESDAmayan” initiative.

“TESDAmayan” initiative is the agency’s banner program to assist communities affected by natural calamities and other disasters by providing skills training and relief packs to affected communities. (TESDA)