TESDA ensures access to 55 IP trainees in Cordillera

LOAKAN-- Various skills trainings available at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have benefited 55 members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in the region, in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to improve the lives of marginalized sectors.

Of the 55 IP community members, 37 were trained in Pinukpuk, Kalinga while 18 took their training in Kibungan, Benguet.

In Kalinga, TESDA provincial director Joel PIlotin said that the trainings were Manicure/Pedicure, Basic Hair Cutting, Mushroom Production and Skills/Livelihood Training under the community-based training modality. The programs were conducted in Ballayangon, Pinukpuk on October 10 to 13, 2019.

“The trainings enabled members of the Bago Farmer’s Association to acquire necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their employability and productivity,” he said.

Of the 37 beneficiaries, 17 were females and 20 were males.

“Rest assured that we will continue our efforts in reaching remote areas in the Province of Kalinga,” he added.

Meanwhile, a total of 18 women from Kibungan, Benguet received skills training in Bread Making under the Special Skills Training Program (SSTP) as part of the effort to empower more women through technical vocational education and training (TVET).

Kibungan is a 4th class municipality in Benguet and situated 62 kilometers north of Baguio City.

TESDA Baguio/Benguet provincial director David Bungallon said that they will continue to push for equal access to quality education, especially TVET.

He said more women will be encouraged to participate in TVET if the government will bring its programs and services closer to them.

“The program was in coordination with the Cordillera Quest: Center for Complementary Education and Social Work Services, Inc.,“ he added.

PD Bungallon noted that culture in the workplace has been transformed and the provincial office looks forward to offering new opportunities to women.

“We only need to properly train and equip our women workforce to benefit them in this age of automation,” he said. (Imee Dong-as/TESDA Kalinga, Glenda Marquez/TESDA-Benguet)