caraga pulse beat online july 2013

c a r a g a pulse beat * july 2013

on

a product of Convergence

C4TP graduate says he is prepared for employment

more on page 3

Cash for Training Program

Kabalikat Awards 2013The provincial government of Surigao del Sur won in 2012 under the local government units category. Will Surigao del Norte makes it this year and bring again the title to Caraga Region?

TESDA-Caraga bids for ISO 9001:2008 Certification

TESDA-Caraga is now preparing on its bid for ISO 9001:2008 Certification.

“TESDA is the future of the Philippines”

DSWD-Caraga Regional Director explained the relevance of TESDA to economic development of the

country.

Cris, one of the 439 graduates of the Cash for Training Program in Surigao del Norte gave his impression to the program. Find out how C4TP prepared

him for employment...

Cash for Training Program

Official Publication of TESDA-Caraga July 2013 issue

And a whole lot

more!


18

19 Holcim Phl’s “Galing Mason Awards” seeks new champion

The annual search for “Galing Mason Awards” is now open as Holcim Philippines looks for a new champion...

TESDA-Caraga gears up for ISO certification

TESDA-Caraga is on full preparation as External Auditors from TUV SUD are set to visit the office for the audit on the Quality

Management System of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008...

23 DSWD Chief: “TESDA is community’s future”

DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Minda Brigoli stressed that with the demands of the present, TESDA has now become the

future of every community in the country...

n e w s

Cash for Training Program (C4TP)For this month of July, the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del

Norte have conducted Culmination Activities. In Surigao del Norte, the activity was held on July 3 while Agusan del Norte graduates received

their Certificates of Training Completion on July 19...

All these and more at SpotLight... 12-13

f e a t u r e s

“I am prepared for employment,” C4TP

graduate says

When diligence is coupled with innovativeness

Surigao Norte, Caraga’s 2013 Kabalikat Awards

entry

2020

J u l yc o n t e n t s

2013

our cover

Caraga Region’s top officials of the DSWD, TESDA, and

Local Government Units (LGUs) are among the key leaders towards the successful implementation of the Cash for Training Program (C4TP), in an effort to alleviate poverty in the region...

Affirmed Individually, but likewise firming up

collectively

33 55The Power of Convergence

77

C4TP gives hope to Agusan Sur victims of

Typhoon Pablo

99

More youths benefited from C4TP in Agusan del

Norte1515

1616


c a r a g a pulse beat * july 2013 3

Editorial TeamManaging

Director

Technical Adviser

Editor-in-chief

Managing Editor

Contributors

Layout Artists

Florencio F. Sunico, Jr., DPARegional Director

Braulio P. Dela Peña, Jr.ROD Chief

Abegail B. EupeñaSenior TESD Specialist

Chiselo Joiada R. BernaldezAdministrative Assistant III

Robert E. RoperosJoey D. Dauz, Jr.Meriam U. Cultura

Consuelo T. DestacamentoMc Franco Zenu Franco

Regional and Provincial Offices

Regional Office

Florencio F. Sunico, Jr., DPARegional DirectorORD - (085) 815-7324ROD - (085) 341-5220Admin - (085) 225-3966

Rodrigo G. De VillaProvincial Director(085) 342-0085

Joventino D. AletaProvincial Director(085) 343-7278

Liza B. BudtanOIC Provincial Director(086) 826-2592

Rey M. CuevaProvincial Director(086) 211-3397

June Elizabeth B. TanquiengOIC Provincial Director

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Dinagat Islands

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“I am prepared for employment,” C4TP graduate says

Cover Story

By Robert E. Roperos

A graduate of the Cash for Training Project (C4TP), a partnership program

of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) firmly said that the program has prepared him to compete with professionals for employment. Crispiniano Sajor, Jr. from Malimono, Surigao del Norte could not help but express his gratefulness for being one of the beneficiaries of the C4TP when he was able to finish Automotive/Driving NC II. During the culmination program held on July 3, 2013 at the Provincial Convention Center in Surigao City, Cris was given the opportunity to deliver his impression to the C4TP in front of the 438 graduates, some municipal mayors of the province, TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio Sunico Jr., and DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Minda Brigoli. Cris underscored that

when he started the training in February 2013, he thought that job employments are only for those who have earned college degree. …That was nearly five months ago. Now, he is reaping the fruits of what he has sown to prepare him for a better future, as he is about to receive his Training Certificate from TESDA Provincial Training Center in Surigao del Norte. Cris recalled that as he went on with the training, he realized that his skills in Auto mechanics and Driving were totally developed and he is confident that he can already compete with professionals in acquiring jobs because TESDA has fully equipped him – skills, personality, and the right attitude. “At first, I was thinking that employment are only for those who are college degree holders. But I was wrong because the C4TP really addressed my needs in the competition for acquiring a job… not just having a job, but starting and managing a small business that requires knowledge and skills… I am

3

Crispiniano Sajor, Jr. delivers his impression during the Culminating Activity of the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) held on July 3, 2013 at Surigao del Norte Provincial Convention Center, Surigao City.


confident that I can do it and I can compete with the rest of the skilled individuals around the globe,” Cris said. Cris added that over the past three months, he has gone through with the program to grow, build, comprehend and learn. Through the power of relations, he has grown socially, physically and mentally… and through the power of compassionate teaching of their trainers, he is now prepared for employment. “ O v e r the past three months, I have come through these doors to grow, build, comprehend and learn… Through the power of relations, I have grown socially, physically and m e n t a l l y … Through the power of compassionate teaching, I can say that I am now prepared for employment here and abroad,” Sajor said. C r i s further said it is an undeniable fact that this is another step of his vocation which will develop his potentials and aptitudes into becoming responsible leader of the country. “For these, I am forever thankful to TESDA and DSWD for being the instrument of my success next to God,” Sajor added. Cris ended his speech by sharing the quote of a famous writer Helen Keller, an American author who was the first deaf-blind person to earn

a Bachelor of Arts degree. “A blind but one of the most famous writer named Hellen Keller said, ‘The worst thing that could ever happen to a person is to have eyes but fail to have a vision’… I believe that God prepared success for everyone. It only depends on the person who knows how to envision his future,” Cris said, receiving applause from the audience in the convention center. He ended up by saying “As

what the Lord said, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” A s Cris went down, he went to the corner where his parents are sitting and e m b r a c e d them. The t e a r y - e y e d f a t h e r , C r i sp in i ano Sajor Sr. kissed his son as the a u d i e n c e gives a

d e a f e n i n g applause. After the

ceremonies ended and the audience started to leave the venue, I got a chance to conduct an interview with Cris. When I approached and informed him of my intention, he did not give a second thought and granted my invitation. Up stage during the interview, Cris was nervous but I told him to relax… I even told him that his experience with

4

Cris Sajor, Jr. shows his Certificate of Training Completion after the C4TP Culmination Program in Surigao del Norte.

The Cash for Training Program (C4TP) is in partnership with TESDA and DSWD through the leadership of Sec. Joel Villanueva and Sec. Corazon Dinky Soliman, in support to the mandate of the national government under President Benigno S. Aquino III, particularly in poverty alleviation.in

foBi

tin

foBi

t

“ I am confident that I can compete with the

rest of the skilled

individuals around the globe,” Cris

said.


Affirmed individually, but likewise firming up collectively

Everyone’s too busy, but at least we

were able to strike a common time and meet we did during rush hour one early morn at a cozy parlor in Langihan’s Public Market in Butuan City.

By Joey D. Dauz I was supposed to interview Ms. Josa Candol first inside the parlor. But because she’s busy at that time tending to her client’s re-quest for hair trimming and color-

ing, I therefore settled for Mr. Ronnie Erwin P. Gonzaga. Both were sought after by this writer with the hope of milking testimonies from them as representa-tive members of a group organized by the office under the TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP). Mr. Gonzaga, 39 years of age, married and a resident of Baan River-side in Butuan City said, “I am an itin-erant, on-call masseur who got several regular clients to boast.” His passion for massage therapy was awakened while he was still a small boy; his beloved grandpa would tenderly ca-ress and press his body with soothing touch. Afterwards, he would do the same with his grandpa. This went on almost every night before they go to sleep. The experience instilled in him

the belief that massage is indeed ther-apeutic. Years later, while working as a monitoring staff at the Industrial Tim-ber Corporation in Lumbocan of this city, he was privileged to undergo a free skills training dubbed as foot re-flex therapy courtesy of the outreach program of the Department of Edu-cation. The said training, which was done only every Sunday, but spanned to about six months, armed him with a more methodical and logical approach of handling with care his clients’ re-spective therapeutic needs. But having finished at least one year of schooling at the Saint Joseph Institute of Technology in Butuan City under the course Associate in Marine Transportation, and likewise holding credentials such as SOLAS, Seaman’s Book, and Firefighting training, he re-signed from his job and tried his luck at the asphalt jungle of Manila in year 2010. His purpose was indeed to go abroad. While waiting, he was again

having the program is worth replicating and that more people were inspired on his speech… Little by little, he managed to relax. As the interview went on, I felt that he is sincere with his answers and like when he delivered his speech awhile ago, I again felt that all what he said came from his heart. I really admired the wit and intelligence of this guy. He knows what he’s talking and he is firm on what he wants. He keeps on thanking to TESDA and DSWD for the blessing he and his family have received. He even said if not with C4TP, he cannot continue his education after high school. “And for these, I am very much thankful to our government,” Cris said. Specifically, Cris thanked TESDA-Caraga and DSWD-Caraga through the leadership of Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr. and Dir. Minda Brigoli, respectively. He assured that TESDA and DSWD will live to their expectations and he will do everything

not to fail the government. “I am forever grateful to TESDA-Caraga an DSWD-Caraga… I know that the government is spending much for this program… I will not put them down,” Cris said. When asked what is his next move after graduation, Cris said he wants to put up his own machine shop in their town in Malimono so that he can also help others especially the youth of his age to fulfill their dreams and aspirations… and like him, they can be productive citizens of their community. “I just want to give it back to the Lord all the glory and praises for everything He has made that is why I succeeded… By helping others, I know that God will be grateful,” Cris disclosed. The implementation of the C4TP is in partnership with TESDA and the DSWD through the leadership of Sec. Joel Villanueva and Sec. Corazon Dinky Soliman, in support to the mandate of the national government under President Benigno S. Aquino III, particularly in poverty alleviation.

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. delivers his speech before the 349 C4TP graduates in Surigao del Norte.


privileged to undergo further skills training in Body Massage at the Sto. Niño Parish Building in Caloocan City under the tutelage of trainers from the Asian Touch International. It took him at least 20 days of rigid training until he was confident enough to apply Sweddish massage and other related techniques.

But as fate would not allow him to go abroad and with resources run-ning low, he scoured places in Luneta Park, settled near shipping agencies, and started marketing his expertise through demonstration. Soon, droves of tired and bored seamen sought his services as if he hit jackpot with no less than a thousand bucks per day of income. Only his wife’s call prevailed upon him to stop plying his trade and come home to rebuild his client base. Up to this day, he’s still into massage therapy and striking an aver-age net profit of at least PhP400.00 with enough free time for other per-sonal concerns. He need not worry about his wife’s upkeep as she’s get-ting a stable income too as a Private

Secretary to a lady dentist in this city. Armed with Massage Therapy NC II, he can confidently respond to those who would pooh-pooh at him or try to challenge his depth of knowl-edge in massage. When asked if he regretted not when he resigned from his stable, regular job before, he re-sponded assertively that “I earn more

with my massage skills; I leisurely own my time; and I can easily go places.” Ms. Josa Candol, on the other hand, is likewise married, with five children to feed and support. At 43 years of age, she insisted that life has had always been hard, though it bless-es them that perseveres. “I sought education as a working student since Grade 1, but managed to finish only up to 1st year high school.” Finding no better recourse due to poverty, “I started hanging around at a small-time parlor back in our hometown in Mag-saysay, Lanao del Norte. Good that, at that time, the all-around gay beau-tician was hospitable and ‘motherly’ enough to mentor me on how to trim hair, and do pedicure and manicure

until such time that I have become proficient.” Later, “my elder sister brought me here in this city, where I eventually got married too and settled down for good. Through all these years, I and my family could have been helpless had I not acquired through experience the beauty care expertise. At least,

with my income from the par-lor and my husband’s regular wage as a jack-of-all-trades employee at a local construc-tion company here, we have managed to stay afloat. My eldest daughter, by the way, who is taking up Business Ad-ministration and majoring in Financial Management, would be graduating this school year from the Father Saturnino Urios University here.” In terms of credential, she shared that she had ac-quired a Certificate of Com-petency for Beauty Care. This TESDA document, according her, is very important as it officially recognized “my ex-pertise as a technically com-petent skilled worker.”

While the duo are fair-ly confident of their respec-tive line of technical skills, still they both agree that col-laborating with other equally skillful and certified individu-als would be far better. The scheme would be synergistic and could boost more income in quantum leap. That’s why,

they – Mr. Gonzaga and Ms. Candol – and the rest of those like-minded fel-lows deemed it beneficial to join ranks and start their own enterprise. Thus, for them, TSTP was the answer . . . and they hope that their initial step would go a long way in alleviating them from the hapless grind of being mere workers in order to become own-ers of their collective enterprise. For such reason, TSTP was born – first in their hearts and minds – and then in their midst – as a real entity.

But that was just the start; the growth is still too far to behold, and it would not happen unless they invest collectively through their toils, tears, and sweat in a sustainable manner.

6


Thepower ofConvergence

by Chiselo Joiada R. Bernaldez

February 3, 2012 was a red letter day for Principal II Rey C. Collado. He got up joyful and grateful that morning anticipating the day’s activity that would transpire in the school where he is managing. He said a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord as he was about to report for duty that day. He

believed that the perennial problem of lack of chairs in his school will finally be solved.

Barely seven months in service in the Butuan Central Elementary School (BCES), Principal Collado has been beset by challenges as the leader of the school. This is his fourth assignment as principal in an elementary school yet when he took of-fice on July 11, 2011. The lack of armchairs posed a major challenge since BCES is the largest elementary school in the Caraga Re-gion in terms of population with more than 5,500 pupils. For ten years, the school just set-tled with only 2,000 chairs that its mainte-nance department fixes from time to time just so school children will have a little space if not a complete chair to sit on during classes. Over the years, they were also us-ing desks which were suppose to only hold two pupils but due to the lack of chairs, al-ready held three or four pupils depending on the size of the child not to mention the discomfort it brought to the pupils affecting in one way or another their performance in school. Such a difficult plight for a school who is working very hard to produce re-sponsible, technologically-advanced and productive learners. …Until the BIG day came. Some 6,000 armchairs were turned-over to school beneficiaries in the Caraga Region at the different schools in Butuan City, namely: Agusan National High School (ANHS) with 2,000 armchairs; Butuan City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT) with 800 arm-chairs; Libertad Central Elementary School (LCES) with 400 armchairs; J.T. Domingo Central Elementary School with 300 arm-chairs; La Trinidad Elementary School with 180 armchairs; Gabriel Elementary School with 210 armchairs; Villa Kananga Elementary School with 140 armchairs; San Vicente Elementary School with 70 armchairs; and the Butuan Central Elemen-tary Schools with 1,900 armchairs. That hopeful day, four government

dignitaries came all the way from Metro Manila to Butuan City to formally turn-over the PNoy Bayanihan armchairs to the selected schools in Caraga Region. Sec-retary Joel J. Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Author-ity (TESDA), Secretary Armin A. Luistro of the Department of Education (DepEd), Chairman Cristino L. Naguiat Jr. of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corpo-ration (PAGCOR) and Assistant Secretary Michelle D. Go of the Department of En-vironment and Natural Resources (DENR) officially turned-over the strong and solid armchairs to the school-beneficiaries and in BCES, the 1,900 armchairs are more than enough to respond to the lack of armchairs that perturbed them for so long.

The Birth of the P-NOY Bayanihan Fur-niture Production Project That momentous day came to pass because of the collaborative effort of four

government agencies: DENR, DepED, PAGCOR and TESDA. Through their con-vergence, the P-Noy Bayanihan Furniture Production Project was created. This Project is aimed at helping the education sector to eradicate the back-log of school armchairs and other furniture requirements of DepEd schools as well as provide livelihood opportunities to commu-nities where the furniture production site is located, which commenced its operation on May 2011. The project specifically aims to: 1) Produce school furniture; 2) Utilize confis-cated logs/lumber; 3) Train/develop wood workers; 4) Create livelihood opportunities and; 5) Link tree farmers with school furni-ture suppliers. Project’s Financial Support The Project is funded by PAG-COR with an initial amount of 100 million pesos for its requirements. It aims to estab-



lish School Furniture Training and Production Centers in at least ten sites all over the country and one of which is the Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) in Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur. Source of Raw Materials DENR shall donate confiscated logs and lumbers to be used for the project and source out wood materials from its legal plantations and concessionaires thus, curbing illegal logging op-erations. DENR-Caraga has estimated about 10,000 cubic meters of confiscated logs requiring P26,335,362.00 for hauling and mill-ing with an expected total production of 2,120,000 board feet of recovered lumbers. With 50% expected recovery rate from the re-covered lumbers, the Production site shall work on the 1,484,000 board feet of lumbers to produce 140,000 armchairs. Armchairs productionTESDA shall establish new and retrofit its existing facili-ties to serve as the Center for School Furniture Produc-tion and Training. The Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT), as the production site is expected to provide the necessary training for school furniture production and produce armchairs and furniture needed by DepEd schools and continues to do so. The Project Beneficiary DepED shall provide the volume and specifica-tions of armchairs and other school furniture including the locations where they are needed. It shall facilitate the delivery of completed school furniture by providing the list of schools and shall pay for the furniture produced and delivered at an agreed price which shall not be high-er than the average pricing for the last two years. The project is still on-going and the aim is to cover the remaining gaps in school armchairs in Caraga.

A Great Impact on the Child Kate Russel B. Militante is a pupil of

the Science and Technology Education Center of BCES and is now enjoying her very own P-Noy Bayanihan arm-chair. She loved her chair very much especially because since she first enrolled in BCES in her first grade up to the third quarter of the school year on her fifth grade, she endured the chairs that she used from the desks which she shared with others to the plastic chairs that easily break until her P-Noy Bayanihan armchair was delivered in her classroom. Now in her sixth grade, she still sits on that same sturdy armchair. When I asked her if her armchair helped her to have a much better performance in school she read-ily said yes. She shared that having her own well-built and comfortable chair gives her more concentration on her work in school. With her own chair, it also helped her to give more focus on the lessons that her teacher is discussing especially because she sits on it alone and doesn’t have to squeeze herself in, in a desk with other pupils.

BCES fullfilling its mandate BCES envisions to produce responsible, techno-logically-advanced and productive learners who are ecologically aware and globally competitive in an effective and progressive child-friendly school. It has been serving Butuan City for one hundred twelve years now. Being the largest elementary school in Caraga Region, it continues to touch the lives of thousands of chil-dren, mold their minds, cultivate their hearts and reinforce their values for a life-long learning experience. With the many challenges that they face as a school, the P-NOY Bayanihan Furniture Production Project has in one way or another lifted a heavy load on the shoulders of their leaders. Yes, not all problems have been solved, but with this intentional and powerful convergence, it has surely changed the face of the school and its pupils.

8


gives hopeC4TP Typhoon Pablo

to Agusan Survictims of

By Meriam U. Cultura

Despite the catastrophe, we have seen the Filipino culture “bayanihan”. Individuals and organizations have responded in the best way they can just to show they care, and have given what they have just to ease the pain and misery of the victims.

For TESDA, helping the victims were made possible by focusing on the affected families through its programs.

True to this, TESDA-Car-aga has fast tracked the imple-mentation of the joint project of DSWD and TESDA which is the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) through its Bangon Agu-sanon Training Cum Production Project.

The project has imple-mented the construction of four core houses at Brgy. Angas, Sta. Josefa and in Brgy. Sinobong, Veruela, all in Agusan del Sur and were turned-over to four

pre-identified beneficiaries by TESDA-Caraga Re-gional Direc-tor Florencio F. Sunico Jr. in separate ceremonies on February 6, 2013 at Sta. Josefa and April 17, 2013 at Veruela, both towns were seriously af-fected by ty-phoon Pablo.

The program is anchored on the famous Chinese Proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life-time.”

Instead of giving directly to the beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) the cash incen-tive, a portion of its budget was transferred to TESDA for funding of the skills training of the benefi-ciaries or their dependents.

It was just a coincidence when the program guidelines were finalized when typhoon Pablo devastated some parts of Mindanao and left some families homeless. In Agusan del Sur, four municipalities were severely

affected by the typhoon, namely: Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Trento and Bunawan.

The need for reconstruc-tion is urgent and crucial. TES-DA’s intervention is necessary – that is, skills training on site. In this training, three (3) qualifi-cations should be developed to support the manpower for the reconstruction of houses. These are Carpentry, Masonry and Electrical Installation and Main-tenance (EIM).

The skills training on these qualifications were con-ducted on site where trainees are given tool kits and training sup-port fund. They then underwent a 13-day rigid skills training for the construction of core houses. The trainees were also advised to take the National Competen

D espair… Fright…

Hope – were the only things left in

the families who were affected by Typhoon Pablo.


cy Assessment and were given training on entrepreneurship.

The Trainees

A total of 87 trainees graduated from the three qualifi-cations.

Jeanie Castillo, a train-ee in EIM said she is fortunate to have been chosen as one of the trainees. “I am very proud

that I have a t t e n d e d the training in electrical instal lation and mainte-nance. Now I can install wirings and other electri-cal assem-bly. I have other means of earn-ing. Thanks to TESDA and DSWD for this pro-gram… May skill na, may tool kit pa! Hayahay ! ” (Aside from the skills I acquired, I still received tool kits! Great!), she said.

The Benefi-ciaries

T y p h o o n Pablo left

the four of them homeless on December 4, 2012. They knew they have to start all over out from where the typhoon had left behind… and that was with al-most nothing. Months after that terrifying morning, new houses were given to them for free.

Life’s been very good to these two old widows: Nanay Lilia and Nanay Titay, who are lucky beneficiaries of the two

core houses constructed at Brgy. Angas, Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur.

Nanay Lilia is a mother of eight who can only partly see because of her cataract but af-ter seeing the blessings she re-ceived, she happily remarked, “nalipay gayud ako bisan hanap-hanap na akong panan-aw apan klaro gayud nako nga nakabarog na ang akong balay“ (I am very happy although I can only partly see but I have clearly seen that my house is already erected), she said.

She never thought that she could build a new house like this and as fast as this. When the event happened and her house collapsed, she knew it would take days, months and even years before she could rebuild her shanty.

Nanay Lilia recalled, “Sa pagkahitabo, wala gayod ako magdahum nga makapabarog og usab sa akong balay. Kay ingon sa akong anak nga tua sa Cebu di nalang magtukod og payag kay magbalhin-balhin na lang ko sa balay sa akong mga anak pero dili gyud ko gusto mu-ipon og puyo sa ila kay gusto gayud nako nga naa’y akong kaugalin-gon bisan og payag-payag lang.” (When the incident happened, I did not expect that I can con-struct my house again. Accord-ing to my child who is in Cebu, I will not construct my shanty anymore and I will just stay in the houses of my children and I’ll just transfer from one house to another. However, I don’t want to live with them because I want to have my own home even if it is only a shanty).

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr. posed with trainees who constructed the houses.


Widowed for 43 years now, she had tried to give the best for her eight children. Seven of her children gradu-ated high school and one fin-ished college. She wanted to give them a good life by giving them proper education. She didn’t want them to be like her who finished only elementary education.

When her shanty col-lapsed because of typhoon Pablo, she knew that it will not be easy for her and her children who have their own families too, to reconstruct her shanty. It will take time before it will be realized.

Now that she received her new house in a matter of two months, she joyfully says, “Salamat gayud kang PNoy, salamat sa TESDA, salamat sa DSWD ani nga programa kay na-tabanagan gayud ako” (Thanks much to PNoy, thanks also to TESDA as well as the DSWD for this program because it helped me).

An instant Blessing for Nanay Titay

Cristita A. Albior is 64 years old and became widow in 2000 with eight children who are all married now. Despite their meager income as farmers, they managed to send their children to school even until high school only.

Nanay Titay said she didn’t expect to experience a strong typhoon like Pablo that hit their place on December 2012. The last time they experienced

a typhoon was in 1979 but that was not as destructive as Pab-lo. When her house collapsed that dreadful morning, she was not sure if she could rebuild her house quickly. If she could rebuild it, it would take them months, even years, before she can finish her house because they have to start all over again since her farm was also dam-aged by the typhoon.

After that disaster, her children offered for her stay with them and fully abandon her house. But she really wanted to reconstruct it from what was left of it because of a sentimental value from her late husband.

“This house built for me is an answered prayer”, said Nanay Titay. “Wala gayud nako damha nga sa ingon ani kadali maka-baton ako ug bag-o nga balay’” (I did not expect that I was able to own new house this fast), she

added.

Nanay Titay continued, “Kung ako lang ug ang akong mga anak ang saligan, siguro dugay-dugay pa jud matukod og balik ang akong balay. Karon in-gon sa ako sa akong mga silin-gan nga Doña na daw ko tungod kay dili lang payag ang gihimo kung dili balay gayud. Daghan kaayong salamat sa Ginoo sa paggamit sa DSWD ug sa TES-DA aron kami matabangan” (As for me and my children, maybe it will take more time for us to con-struct our house again. Now, my neighbors are saying that I am like a rich woman because I al-ready have a house and not just a shanty like before. Thank God for using DSWD and TESDA for helping us.

Most Affected Barangay

Baran-gay Sinobong Turn to page 14...

Two beneficiaries of the C4TP housing project show their “thumbs up” signifying their satisfaction and appreciation for the housing project they received from TESDA and DSWD.


Spo tL i gh tPeople, places and events captured by

TESDA-Caraga roving lensCash for Training Program

Culminating ActivitiesSurigao del Norte

July 3, 2013Provincial Convention Center, Surigao City

A beneficiary from the province of Surigao del Norte receives his toolkits from Placer Mayor Felimon V. Napuli assisted by TESDA Regional Director Flor-encio Sunico (center) and DSWD Regional Director Minda Brigoli (2nd from right), and witnessed by Provincial Social Services Officer Rosemarie Catelo (extreme left).

C E R E M O N I E S P R O P E R

12


Spo tL i gh tPeople, places and events captured by

TESDA-Caraga roving lensCash for Training Program

Culminating ActivitiesAgusan del Norte

July 19, 2013Budget Foods Convention Center, Butuan City

C E R E M O N I E S P R O P E R

Graduates in the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) are shown here with officials of TESDA, DSWD and some provincial officials of Agusan del Norte. They received complete welding gears and a welding machine for every 10 graduates during the Cash for Training (C4TP) Culmination Activity.

13


is one of the seriously affected barangays in Veruela, Agusan del Sur. Many houses were totally destroyed. Several families lost their means of living as farmlands were heavily damaged. Many trees were uprooted by typhoon Pablo and pre-cut logs were car-ried by floodwaters and smashed into this “clean and green” mod-el barangay on December 4, shifting the river course and destroying farmlands. S t r o n g winds blew off roofs and walls of houses and other struc-tures and mud flowed quickly. For-tunately, the lives of res-idents were spared from danger.

A house-keeper’s terrible experience with Pablo

Meet the 38 year-old mother of seven children… Mer-lie I. Echavez. She said because of poverty, she cannot send all her children to school. Her el-dest child stopped studying dur-ing second year high school. The second is only grade five and the third child has graduated high

school.

Her family depends on farming as their source of living. Now that typhoon Pablo has de-stroyed it, she cannot imagine what their life would be since they have to start all over again, all the more she cannot send her children to school.

Merlie is a native of Sino-bong and it was the first time that their barangay experienced the disaster like Pablo had done.

She recalled that on that morn-ing, most houses including hers submerged into waist-deep mud-dy floodwaters.

“Sa una, gikuyawan ko ngano gipatawag ko ni Kapitan. Apan pagkabalo nako nga usa ako sa napilian nga makadawat og balay, dako kayo akong kali-

pay ug pagpasalamat sa TES-DA. Salamat sa mga Trainees sa C4TP sa paghimo ninyo sa akong pamilya og nindot nga balay” (At first, I was so worried why my at-tention was called by our Brgy. Captain. But when I knew that I am one of the recipients of core houses, I am very much happy and thankful to TESDA. Thanks also to the trainees of the C4TP for making my family a beautiful house), Merlie said during the turn-over and awarding ceremo-

nies.

Pa, grateful to the project

“ S a l a m a t kaayo niiining dakong ta-bang kanako ug sa akong pamilya gikan sa TESDA ug DSWD”, (Thank you to TESDA and DSWD for this great help for me and my family), de-clared Mario C. Ballion, a 32 year-old father of a

nine-month old baby from Purok 6, Sinobong, Veruela, Agusan del Sur whose house was totally damaged by the typhoon.

Mario and her pregnant wife are staying in a tent as tem-porary shelter after Pablo de-stroyed their

Turn to page 15...

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr. (2nd from left) handed in the ceremonial key to a beneficiary of the C4TP housing project. Also in photo are Provincial Officials of Agusan del Sur.

C4TP gives hope... from page 11


house.

“Kung akong income lang jud ang saligan, di pa jud ko makapatukod og balay nga sama ani labi na karon nga hapit na maduha ang akong anak” (If we have to depend on my in-come, I cannot afford to construct a house like this especially now that my wife is my wife is about

to deliver our second child), Ma-rio further remarked.

“Daghan kaayong sala-mat sa tanan nagmugna ani nga program labi na jud sa TESDA, DSWD, ug LGU” (Thank you very much to all who have or-ganized this program especially TESDA, DSWD, and the LGU), Mario added.

Future recipients

Soon to receive their new houses are the two widows from Cuevas, Trento, Agusan del Sur, Maria Cuevas, 76 years old with nine children and Condrada S. Cinco, 77 years old with 12 chil-dren.

More youths benefited C4TP in Agusan del NorteMore youths benefited C4TP in Agusan del NorteMore youths benefited C4TP in Agusan del Norte

After the c u l m i -n a t i o n program in Su-rigao del N o r t e on July 3, 2013 w h e r e a total of 439 benefi -c i a r i e s h a v e finished the said p r o -g r a m , another set of 409 ben-eficiaries from Agusan del Norte received their Training Certificates on Friday from TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico Jr. and DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Minda Brigoli, rep-resented by the agency’s Chief of Opera-tions Angelita Amista.

In his speech, Dir. Sunico em-

phasized that the true meaning of quality output is through the skills acquired by the graduates, saying that if the beneficiaries were able to understand deeply the true meaning and essence of the program, they can be productive workers in the future having quality output through the skills they acquired.

“For those

More

youths from Agusan del Norte have availed and finished the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Turn to page 22...

by Robert E. Roperos


By Joey D. Dauz

Whendiligenceis coupled withinnovativeness

When Aljon P. Ampo graduated from the Candelaria Institute’s high school in Cabadbaran City back in March 2008, he felt he had nowhere to go due to lack of monetary resources to continue to college. Thus, when he heard about a technical scholarship oppor-tunity dangled by TESDA, which is dubbed as Private Education Student Fund Assistance, he wasted no time and grabbed it right away. He took up Computer Programming NC IV at AMA Computer Learn-ing Center (ACLC) College in Butuan City and gradu-ated by December 2008 with a National Certification. Little did he know that Mr. Alan L. Atega, ACLC College’s School Di-rector, was just observing him all this time – first as a student, and then as an on-the-job trainee. And he concluded that Aljon got the diligence factor that could be a material asset to the school. Following such gut feel, Mr. Atega took him first as a contractual fel-low for about one year, and gradually offered him to be a probationary employee the day he turned 18 years old on the 9th day of October 2009. Eventually, he be-came a permanent employee of the school. Too young indeed, but he has obviously become part of energizing the government coffers by pay-ing his contributions regularly to agencies such as SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PHIC, including BIR. By that age also, Al-

jon devoured the opportunity of pursuing a higher education at his own alma mater by taking up Bachelor of Science in Comput-er Science. Indeed, diligence

took him to a higher notch, for without it he would not be able to juggle his priorities as a full time worker by day and as a full time student by night.

His diligence and thirst for more learning rapidly catapulted him to venture into “ambitious” out-puts. If there is one word to describe him, other than being

diligent, then he is very innovative. Being diligent and innovative as a work-er have resulted in several breakthroughs beneficial to the school – both for the management and the students. “In what way?” you may ask. Back in year 2010, for example, he was material as a Programmer in enhanc-ing the image and services of ACLC College-Butuan. It used to be that enrollment time would at least be half-day. But when he primed up the existing Enrollment Sys-tem, including the Student Information System, by su-perbly updating and then in-geniously maintaining them, enrollment time zipped to an average of merely 30 minutes. His other projects, in year 2011, such as the Em-ployee Information Sys-tem (EIS), the Facility & Personnel Monitoring Sys-tem (FPMS), and the Inter-net Laboratory Time Manage-

ment System (ILTMS), and the Web-based Placement Examination System (WPES) have had further energized the institution in a blitzkrieg fashion. Right now,


c a r a g a pulse beat * july 2013c a r a g a pulse beat * july 2013 17

he is updating the EIS and FPMS, which will further zip up the way of doing things in the institution. In year 2012, he programmed his own ver-

sion for a PCOS machine, dubbing it as Automated Election System for ACLC College’s Supreme Student Government election. Superbly, a minute after election time closes its door, the results would churn out handy also. But the finest customized out-put he has done so far was the Ac-counting Management System (AMS) which zoomed and further prospered the busi-ness side of the school – efficient-ly and effectively. The AMS package reduced tensions and tedious time of scratching one’s head as it can cre-ate vouchers, disbursement authori-zations, journals, ledgers, and oth-er important financial and accounting records with agility and swiftness. Sensing that he was putting in more beneficial outputs for the school, the school management chuckled and so could not help but promote him as the school’s Information Technology Head for Soft-ware Development effective June 1, 2013. In this new position, he gets a gross monthly salary of PhP9,376.00, plus a functional allowance of PhP3,000.00. Still a college undergrad, but he is precisely making a good kill – drawing a good salary and at the same time being allowed to perform what he can passionately and proficiently accomplish.

When approached by this writer to vie for the 2013 TESDA Idol competition under the wage-employed category, he became hesitant at first.

But when he asked Mr. Atega, once a Regional TESDA Idol himself, and the School Administrator, Mr. Jose Roberto Lastimoso, the two were in unison in encourag-ing him to “grab the opportunity as we are here to support you.” Thus, he changed tack and be-gan to be responsive, though he had had to be prodded time and again by this writer. Eventual-ly, it dawned on him into thinking that “if others trusted me to be able to make it through at the re-gional level, and perhaps at the national level, then why should I not trust myself in return?” I told him, “You are a good material to be declared as a Batang TESDA Idol, because chances are you – at a very fresh age of 21 – will be the youngest nominee in your cat-egory for this selection year.” The rest was history; Aljon was declared as the 2013 TESDA

Idol for wage-employed category at the region-al level after a stiff and thorough competi-tion. Now, he is preparing to make it through at the national level. Who knows, his dili-gence and innovativeness will give him a berth as prime among peers. And who knows, young as he is, the best is yet to come for him – as-suming he maintains his momentum.


TESDACaraga gears up forISO Certification

T o ensure efficient and quality service to the public, the Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority (TESDA) in Caraga Region is now on its full swing of preparations

in its quest to be certified internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO).

TESDA

In his speech during the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System (QMS) Orientation Aware-ness and Review of Procedures held Thursday at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Con-ference Room here, TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio F. Su-nico Jr. underscored the need for the per-sonnel to focus in order to achieve the agen-cy’s goal to be inter-nationally-certif ied. “Our journey towards the achieve-ment of ISO certifica-tion is not that easy… If we are focused on our journey, we will ar-rive on our destination – that is, to be certified by an international certification body like the ISO,” Sunico said. Dir. Sunico add-ed when TESDA Cen-tral Office decided to include all regions to be ISO-certified, it is an indication that quality management system must be at all times implemented and observed in the regional and provincial offices. TESDA was awarded the ISO certification on February 10, 2012, making it the only educa-tion agency and among the gov-ernment certifying agencies to be granted the prestigious status. Director-General Sec. Joel Villanueva received the ISO Certifi-cate 9001:2008 from Jen Wen Chia,

general manager of the TUV SUD PSB Philippines, Inc., who audited the TESDA services, during simple rites at the TESDA complex in Taguig City. Presently, eight regions have already received their international certifications from ISO. In Mindanao, TESDA Region XI in Davao is the only

region that was already certified. The TESDA chief of the region stressed that with TESDA-Caraga be-longing to the last batch of regions to be audited by August this year, he enjoined the personnel to ap-preciate the process so that achiev-ing such goal will be that easy. “I want all of you (TESDA per-sonnel) to appreciate the tedious process that we are doing now so that everybody will be motivated to

work towards the achievement of our goal and that is, to be interna-tionally-certified by ISO,” Sunico said. Dir. Sunico further pointed out that with the agency’s quest to become an ISO-certified govern-ment agency, “we are expected to provide our customers with quality

services since the cen-ter of ISO is customers’ satisfaction through quality services.” As a future ISO-cer-tified government organization, Sunico emphasized the need to have unity of pro-cess. “We need to standardize all our processes so that we will move towards one direction and in-line with the man-date of the national government,” he said. Also, Dir. Sunico re-iterated the need of the personnel’s commitment and dedication as a key

to achieve the agency’s goal. “If we put our heart and mind into it, there’s no reason why we cannot achieve our goal to be an ISO-cer-tified agency,” Sunico disclosed. After the orientation, all provincial directors and ISO fo-cal personnel have attended the TESDA Mindanao Zonal Seminar-Workshop on ISO Awareness and QMS Orientation on July 22-26, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro City.

TESDA

18

by Robert E. Roperos

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. explains the rationale of ISO. He likewise enjoined the TESDA personnel to give focus on ISO certification.


Holcim Philippines Inc., one of the leading cement manufacturers in the country is now seeking for a new champion in the annual “Galing Mason Awards.”

“Galing Mason Awards”seeks new champion

The program is in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Phil-ippine Constructions Asso-ciation, Inc. (PCA), and As-sociation of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW) which primarily aimed to honor Filipino masons who show great skill and pride in their work and are also model citizens in their community. In a press statement, Holcim Philippines kicked-off the program last June and will accept nominations until August 16, 2013. Accordingly, any rep-utable individual or legitimate organization may nominate working male/female masons who are at least 25 years old and have resided in their area for not less than a year. Nominees should be holders of valid TESDA Cer-tificate on Masonry. Certifi-cates of good moral character from at least two local organi-zations, along with other nec-essary documents should ac-company the nomination to be submitted to the TESDA Pro-vincial Office in their areas. More importantly, they must not have derogatory records or administrative infractions. The nominees will go through three levels of selection process: pro-vincial, regional and national. Top three nominees from each region will compete in the regional level, the winner of which

moves on to the national competition. The winner, who will be pro-claimed in October, will be chosen based

on his productivity, technical competence and professionalism. The national winner or the “Most Outstanding Mason” will get P150,000 cash while regional winner will receive

P25,000 in cash while the nominating individual or organization with the most number of nominees gets P15,000.

The competition is held every two years and is part of Holcim Philippines’ flagship corporate social responsibility program. Its other components are the Galing Mason Olym-pics, a three-day masonry competition and the Galing Mason Training, a seven-day skills enhancement and certifi-cation program. The first cycle in 2007 was won by Sergio Barliso of Cebu, the 2009 competi-tion was topped by Rodante Andres of Capiz and the 2011 grand champions were Edu-ardo Latap of the National Capital Region and Alejandro Tagle of Cagayan Valley.

In a related develop-ment, TESDA-Caraga Re-gional Director Dr. Florencio Sunico Jr. enjoins individuals and organizations in the region to take part in this prestigious nationwide competition by nominating masons in their areas who qualify in the quali-fications mentioned earlier.

Interested applicants may submit their documents to

TESDA-Caraga Regional Of-fice, Balibrea Bldg., Pili Drive, Butuan City. For inquiries, they may contact Ma. Cristina V. Soberano, TESD Specialist II at (085) 341-5220 or fax at 341-7776. (RER)

Holcim Phl’s


Surigao del Norte, Caraga’sKabalikat Awards

Surigao del Norte, the Philippines’

surfing capital is vying for the annual prestigious Kabalikat Awards this year. The provincial government has satisfactorily passed the entry requirements set by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

According to TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico Jr., as the regional winner in Caraga under the Local Government Unit (LGU) partner category, the provincial government, through the able leadership of Gov. Sol F. Matugas will represent the region in the national finals slated in August this year. Dir. Sunico added the provin-

cial government was chosen because of its exceptional achievements in the area of Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) particularly its support to the programs on skills training, assessment and certification, among others. The TESDA chief of the region further stressed that under the HEALS Develop-ment Agenda of the province, Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) was reinvented and strength-ened, and more funds were allocated for programs that are responsive to the needs of the people.

HEALS stands for Health, Edu-cation and Environment, Agriculture and Aquaculture, Livelihood and Tourism, Spiritual Renewal, Senior Citizens and people with Special Needs, Security and other Social Welfare initiatives. Furthermore, Sunico pointed out that the local government’s partnership with the private sector was given importance as

a strategy for inclusive human resource de-velopment.

Education for All In support to the Human Devel-opment Cluster of the Philippine Devel-opment Plan (PDP), investment on TESD highlights the province’s contributions to strengthen educational needs of the youths and adults thru technical education, as well as skills development.

In terms of training and scholar-ship, the Provincial Training Center (PTC) cum Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Surigao del Norte has partnered with TESDA since 1993.

Here, a present PTC is operated on a Co-management Scheme by the pro-vincial government under the auspices of the Office of the Provincial Governor thru PTC and TESDA offering technical and vo-cational education “free of charge” to stu-dents since 1996.

The provincial scholarship pro-gram dubbed as “Eskolaran” has been supporting poor but deserving students to pursue college education at Surigao State College of Technology(SSCT) and Surigao

newsfeature

2013by Robert E. Roperos

Gov. Sol F. MatugasSurigao del Norte

entry


del Norte College of Agriculture and Tech-nology (SNCAT).

Public Private Partnership (PPP) The provincial government has also championed in coordination and net-working as it regularly partners with both public and private stakeholders in provid-ing human skills development. One of these activities is the forg-ing of Public Private Part-nership (PPP) scheme for the trainings on TESD employments of the out-of-school youths and adults. It can be not-ed that currently, the PPP scheme has been successful for con-structing and equip-ping of the Provincial Community Training Center (PCTC) at Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte.

Promotion and Advocacy The prov-ince’s “Ang Bag-ong Surigao” quarterly newsletter, “Kapihan sa Surigao,” Gover-nor’s Week-End Report and the annual State of the Province Address (SOPA) reg-ularly include TESD report to the people in tri-media. The Citizen’s Charter has been advocated and promoted in the pursuit of economical and optimum use of resources; and advancement of TESD.

Beneficiaries Majority of the TESD training beneficiaries/scholars at PTC and TESDA or in the communities and industrial com-panies passed the National Competency Ex-aminations conducted by TESDA and have been either employed by public and private entities or have been engaged in business and self-employed here and abroad. Graduates of the “Eskolaran” grant have been majority absorbed in the government service and others in the pri-vate or mining companies or engaged in business and sel-employment. TESD and “Eskolaran” grantees and graduates have been provided place-ment assistance by the province’s PESO

such as local, national and international employments and job opportunities through referrals, On-the-Job Training (OJT), Gov-ernment Internship Program (GIP), Special Program for Employment of the Students (SPES), livelihood and self-employment.

Commitment to Support The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte has been continuously supporting TESDA since its establishment

in 1994. True to this, TESDA Provincial Office has been “house for free of charge” for maintenance, operating and other ex-penses since 2002. Also, the province has been con-tinuously the implementer and supporter of plans, programs, projects and activities with embedded TESD in relation to Basic Education Curriculum or the K+12. It also provides manpower or workforce development for the imple-mentation of the TESD in the K+12 Cur-riculum; financial and technical assistance; competency and skills competition; and standard development in terms of human resource competence, integrity, personal commitment and positive workforce val-ues. These will certainly help bring out quality technical and vocational education for the development of the youth, adult and labor sectors of the province.

Caraga’s Pride Year 2012 was a fruitful year for

Caraga Region when the region’s contend-er was proclaimed“TESDA’s 2012 Nation-al Kabalikat Awardee”. Surigao del Sur Provincial Gover-nor Johnny T. Pimentel was conferred by TESDA Director-General, Sec. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva for LGU Partner catego-ry in a fitting ceremony held in time with the 18th TESDA Anniversary Celebration last August 24, 2012 at TESDA Central Of-fice, Taguig, Metro Manila.

What made the LGU win? The provin-cial government regu-larly provides TESD interventions that gener-ates employment oppor-tunities and improves the lives of every Su-rigaonon. It also promotes technology-based edu-cation and training, and manifesting a deep sense of social responsibility. The contribution of the LGU of the province covered a wide range of initiatives. The Jobs through Tech-Voc Pro-gram which was formal-ly launched and made operational on February

14, 2011 paved the way for TESD gradu-ates to land a job. The logistical and financial sup-port granted to TESDA Surigao del Sur Provincial Office amounting to more than P11 million has contributed much to the development of the infrastructure and skills resources of the office.

Another significant contribution the province has made is the granting for the use of land and renovation to TESDA-Surigao del Sur the underutilized Farmers Training Center which is now transformed into a Provincial Skills Training Center (PSTC).

Lastly, the LGU through Gov. Pimentel has enacted the provision of trainer’s honorarium, training facilities and instructional materials, four units service vehicles composed of dump truck, Toyota Lite Ace, Mazda pickup and Sportivo.

Those were the significant con-tributions of Surigao del Sur provincial government through Gov. Pimentel which made the LGU win the title.

Board of judges examine the documents of the participating LGUs during the regional selection at TESDA-Caraga Regional Office.


who want to help your family, you are bringing the skills with you. This will be your weapon to sur-vive in this globally-competitive society. You need not be afraid be-cause you are now equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude that were imparted to you during your six-months training,” Sunico said.

The TESDA chief of the region also reminded the graduates that the investment made by the national government to realize the program is big, “thus, may you not forget this investment… Make use of your acquired skills in a good

way for a better living for you and your family,” he said.

With the investment of the gov-ernment, Dir. Sunico said this must go back to the beneficiaries’ families. “So, setting up you and your families’ future must be needed.”

The official further assured the graduates that since the tech-voc courses they have chosen have aligned to the de-mand of the industry in Caraga Region, the TESDA, DSWD and other concerned government agencies are one in providing post-training interventions through jobs fa-cilitation.

Sunico expla ined that while the country is sending some 4,000 F i l i p i n o s abroad dai-ly, an option of going abroad is an opportu-nity for the g radua tes to grab. “I am confi-dent that you are now p r e p a r e d for global challenges

because of the skills you have acquired… now, grab these op-p o r t u n i -ties,” Su-nico added.

After re-c e i v i n g their certifi-cates, those who chose under the program’s

self-employed com-ponent were given toolkits for them to start their liveli-hood.

For graduates in commercial cook-ing, the beneficiaries each received two-burner stove, elec-tric hand mixer and other utensils. Those who have finished automotive mechan-ics and driving each received auto tools as well as the com-puter hardware ser-vicing.

Complete welding gears were also given to graduates of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). For every 10 grad-uates, they are given one welding machine, enough for them to start their own welding machine shop.

C4TP is in support to government’s thrust in providing a sustainable interven-tion to improve the plight and condition of the youth and empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful em-ployment and entrepreneurial activities.

The implementation of the pro-gram is in partnership with TESDA and the DSWD through the leadership of Sec. Joel Villanueva and Sec. Corazon Dinky Soli-man, respectively. (RERoperos)

More youths... from page 15...


DSWD chief: “TESDA is community’s future”

Project TeamBRE is a strategy which will develop and enhance resiliency of the vulnerable sectors, particularly the fish-er folks during and after disaster. It also strengthens partnerships with other local stakeholder in establishing mechanism for effective disaster management pro-gram through the TeamBRE volunteers. Speaking before the TeamBRE stakeholders, Dir. Brigoli stressed that with TESDA continuously providing technical-vocational skills and development to the people in different communities, the coun-try’s economic growth have developed. Brigoli also said that with the convergence of all government agencies in Caraga, the region is now out from the poorest regions in the country based on the second quarter report of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

Because of this, the DSWD chief of the region emphasized that TESDA must be recognized and with President Be-

nigno S. Aquino III mentioning the agen-cy in his opening statement of his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, “it is but fitting for the agencyto receive such recognition from the country’s Chief Executive,” Brigoli said. Brigoli further explained that by providing technical-vocational skills and development to the community, the con-stituents of every community are empow-

ered to help uplift the economy of their communities and the country, in general. “Ang TESDA ngayon ay isa sa kinakapitan ng ating pamahalaan upang maitawid ang ating mga kaba-bayan sa kahirapan” (At present, TES-DA is one of the agencies where the government is dependent to achieve poverty alleviation), Dr. Brigoli said. Furthermore, the official said livelihood opportunities can be eas-ily reached thru the trainings provided by TESDA since the agency is prepar-ing every individual for this purpose. Brigoli also underscored the strong working relationship of DSWD-Caraga and TESDA-Caraga, saying that this happened because the two government agencies shared a common vision towards achieving poverty alleviation in the country.

“Our partnership with TESDA-Caraga thru the several projects is al-ways going stronger and stronger… This is because we shared the same vision to provide interventions towards achieving the mandate of the national government specifically poverty alleviation… We al-ways see to it that the needs of the pub-lic are addressed properly,” Brigoli said. She added that in order to achieve inclusive growth which is the ul-timate mandate based on the Aquino ad-ministration’s social contract to the Fili-pino people, the government should also see to it that communities are involved in process of achieving development. Brigoli also emphasized that eq-

uitable opportunities and not just equal opportunities are regularly implemented. “This means that whatever are the needs of every individual must be assessed well. Through this, more en-gagements of the beneficiaries’ capacity will be implemented not only to satisfy their needs but for them to be given eq-uitable opportunity. In this case, correct and sufficient interventions are applied to every individual needs,” Brigoli said. With these developments, Brigoli revealed that partnering with TESDA is a practical thing to do be-cause this is the demand of the present. “We really want to partner with TESDA because this is the demand of the present that will generate more employ-ment opportunities for the Filipino people,” Brigoli disclosed. (RER, TESDA-Caraga)

“The Techni-cal Education and Skills Develop-ment Authority (TESDA) is the future of every community,” said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga Regional Direc-tor Dr. Minda B. Brigoli during the Orientation on Team Balikatan Rescue in Emer-gency (TeamBRE) held recently in Butuan City. DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Minda Brigoli emphasized the relevance of Technical-Vocational

programs to uplift the economy of the country.

caraga pulse beat online july 2013

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