Lagawe, Ifugao – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (TESDA-CSITE) Ifugao Campus was invited by the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) to serve as a resource agency for the seminar entitled, “Holistic growth for seniors: Rights, Entrepreneurship and Gender Equality.” The primary objective of TESDA-CSITE’s participation was to provide an orientation on entrepreneurial skills and trainings to teach and empower senior citizens to be economically productive. The activity was held on August 28, 2025, at the Provincial Senior Citizens Center. Participants included the heads of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) from the different municipalities in Ifugao and representatives from the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP).

The seminar was well-attended and facilitated a productive exchange of information among the participants and resource speakers. The program was composed of three main topics:

• Gender and Development Concepts/Gender Sensitivity Training: Ms. Lorna C. Lumioan from the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) opened the program with a comprehensive discussion on gender and development, fostering an inclusive and sensitive environment for the participants.
• Orientation on Senior Citizen’s Discounts, Privileges, and Current Policies: Mr. Daniel B. Codamon Jr. from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ifugao provided a clear and detailed orientation on the rights, discounts, and privileges available to senior citizens under current policies like the RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, and the Joint Administrative Order No. 24-02 Series of 2024.
• Orientation: Introduction of Entrepreneurial Skills and Trainings for Senior Citizens: Ms. Jennilyn G. Camilo from TESDA-CSITE provided a short background on the agency, highlighting its role as a training and assessment center. She then presented the various training programs and services offered, with a particular focus on the Produce Organic Concoctions and Extracts and Mushroom Production programs. These two programs generated significant interest from the senior citizens in attendance. In addition, several participants inquired about the Driving training program.

The seminar was a significant success, effectively orienting senior citizen leaders on their rights and highlighting opportunities for economic empowerment through TESDA’s entrepreneurial skills training. The strong interest shown by the participants, particularly in the Produce Organic Concoctions and Extracts and Mushroom Production programs, demonstrates a clear demand for these skills. This positive response provides a solid foundation for future, more targeted collaborations between TESDA-CSITE and the senior citizens’ community to foster productivity and self-sufficiency.