LOAKAN, BAGUIO CITY- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Cordillera Administrative Region turned over in-kind donations to families affected by the 7-magnitude earthquake in Abra, on August 04, 2022.

TESDA CAR Assistant Regional Director Jimmicio S. Daoaten together with the Provincial Directors, Administrators of TESDA CAR, and officials from LGU Abra turned over the following donations; 5 boxes of cookies, 2 boxes of cheese bread, 8 boxes of juice drink, 33 bottles (6 liters) of Mineral water, 100 tubs of cookies, 100 pcs. Food packs, 95 packs of loaf bread, 960 packs of cookies, 20 kilos of dried beans, 41 sacks of rice, and 41 boxes of canned goods and noodles.

These in-kind donations are from; TESDA Region III, TESDA Association of Concerned Employees (ACE) Cordillera Administrative Region Chapter, TESDA Benguet, TESDA Apayao Training center, TESDA Ifugao, TESDA Mt. Province, and the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades.

According to TESDA Abra Provincial Director Allan S. Millan, they are continuously producing baked products that had benefited the Municipalities of La Paz, Tayum, and Manabo as part of their initial actions under the TESDAmayan program.

“Ang ating opisina ay nakabahagi na po ng tulong, aside sa foodbacks gumagawa din tayo ng mga tinapay upang ipamigay sa ating kababayan na na-displace. Hindi lamang dito nagtatapos ang pagbibigay ng TESDA kasi nag e-expand tayo sa iba’t ibang Munisipyo kung saan doon tayo nag bi-bake,” he explained.

In a report from TESDA Abra, a total of 7,420 individuals have benefitted from the free baked products produced by the trainers and trainees of Bread and Pastry Production. The beneficiaries are from the Municipality of Tayum (Brgy. Bagalay, Basbasa, Bumagcat, Deet, Gaddani, Patucannay, Pias, and Poblacion); Municipality of La Paz (Brgy. Benben, Buli, Canan, Pidipid); and Municipality of Manabo (Brgy. San Jose Norte and San Jose Sur).

“Sa TESDAmayan din may rehabilitation component kung saan ang TESDA Central Office ay naglaan ng 10 million pesos para mag conduct ng Training Cum production. Ito ay isang paraan para makatulong sa mga nasiraan ng mga bahay,” he added.

Through the Training Cum production concept, the people who were affected may join the training in the rehabilitation of their damaged houses where they will learn new skills, and receive allowance and starter toolkits.

According to him, this activity is under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP). This is a scholarship program of TESDA which aims to provide skills and training opportunities for the beneficiaries in the barangays/ communities to make them employable and productive.

“Yung mga beneficiaries natin sa STEP ay yung mga nasiraan ng bahay, tapos sila rin ang gagawa ng bahay nila sa tulong ng iba’t ibang trainers galing sa iba’t- ibang dako ng TESDA CAR,” he added.

TESDA CAR Regional Office Scholarship focal Ms. Susana Carbonell also said that once the 10 million worth National Qualification Map from the Central Office is approved there will be a total of 464 individuals who will benefit from it to support the rehabilitation program in Abra.

“TESDAmayan” is the agency’s banner program that aims to aid communities affected by any crisis brought about by natural calamities, disasters, or any other untoward incidents which causes displacement among the residents.

To date, TESDA CAR has been receiving various donations from different organizations and TESDA Regional Offices which will be distributed next week. (SNMP)

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(Photo credits: Susana Carbonell/TESDA CAR, Fidel Zapata/TESDA Abra, Maverick Bantegan/ TESDA Mt. Province)