The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña visited  TESDA CAR on February 16-20, 2022.

The Secretary’s visit in CAR is to personally check the projects, accomplishments,  personnel concerns and forging of Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Usufruct with LGUs  in the region.

His first destination was in Lagawe Ifugao visiting the Provincial Office and Provincial Training Center of TESDA Ifugao located at Rock Quarry, Lagawe, Ifugao on February 16, 2022. The Secretary was accompanied by Deputy Director-General for TESD Operations Lina C. Sarmiento, Chief-of-Staff Director Juliet O. Orozco, TESDA CAR Regional Director Jeffrey Ian C. Dy, Assistant Regional Director Jimmicio S. Daoaten, and several officials of TESDA CAR.

The Secretary and party were warmly welcomed by the TESDA Ifugao employees headed by OIC Provincial Director Melita D. Pinic and PTC Ifugao Administrator Eduardo Tamayao.

After a tour at the Provincial Training Center’s facilities and checking of equipment, he had a brief meeting with the staff to discuss their achievements in PRLEC, scholarship programs, and TESDAmayan.

Secretary Lapeña praised and commended TESDA Ifugao for the developments in the provincial office and training center. He noted the vast improvement of the Provincial Training Center building that was constructed through the scholarship savings and training cum production.

He also commended the selfless efforts of the Augmentation team from CAR who helped in rebuilding several Odette-affected houses in Bohol.

Also present during the event were TESDA Kalinga PD Victor Brioso, TESDA Apayao PD Roger Dancel, and PTC Apayao Administrator Fidelia Galvezo.

After visiting Ifugao, the officials headed to the Provincial office of TESDA Mt. Province located at Poblacion, Bontoc on February 17, 2022.

The party were welcomed by the staff headed by Acting Provincial Director Felixberto Matute Jr.

APD Matute presented the achievements of PO Mt. Province in Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) and other accomplishments in line with the DG’s directives.

In the afternoon, they visited the Provincial Training Center of TESDA Mt.Province located at Tambingan, Sabangan.

The Secretary inspected the various facilities of the Center and had a dialogue with the staff. He also applauded and awarded the Certificates of Commendation to the 15 trainer-volunteers from the provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, Mt. Province, and Abra who helped our Kababayans that were devastated by Typhoon Odette in Bohol.

Ms. Proserphina Pacyado, the Center Administrator presented the accomplishments of the institution. She highlighted some of the innovative Agriculture researches of the trainers that can be adapted for sustainable agriculture.

Also present during the event were Sabangan Vice Mayor Dario Esden and other LGU officials.

After he met with the PTC staff, he visited Sagada and had a quick dialogue with Mayor James B. Pooten in strengthening TVET in the Municipality as well as the entire province.

The Secretary and party together with TESDA-CAR officials and staff headed by RD Dy traveled to Baguio City in the afternoon of February 17, 2022 and had a dinner briefing meeting to TESDA-CAR key officials.

On February 18, 2022, he had a breakfast meeting with the staff of the Provincial Office and the training Center of Benguet. One of the matters discussed was the status of the PTC Benguet located in Kapangan and other personnel concerns of PO and PTC Benguet.

In the afternoon, Secretary Lapeña and Administrator Jose Tombali who represented Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan of the Provincial Government of Mountain Province signed a Deed of Usufruct for a lot for use of the TESDA Provincial Office. The signing was witnessed by RD Dy as witness signatory of TESDA and Legal Officer Atty. Thomas Kiwang on the part of the Provincial Government of Mt. Province. The lot is comprised of 740 square meters in Caluttit, Bontoc for use of the TESDA Provincial Office for 25 years and renewable thereafter.

Dr. Tombali shared the message of Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan and the province’s commitment to the continuing partnership with TESDA in bringing in technical education and skills development for the people of Mountain Province, especially to the younger generation.

Secretary Lapeña, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to Mountain Province for their generosity to help build a TESDA Provincial Office. The Secretary also assured the continuing delivery of TESDA programs and services to the people of the province and the neighboring areas. He also called for partnership in bringing skills training and livelihood development to the 18 conflict-affected barangays in Mountain Province.

On February 19, 2022, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT). Also, Signatory witnesses to the MOA were RD Jeffrey Ian C. Dy and Atty. Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, the TESDA-RTESDC Chair.

Under the MOA, TESDA will deliver/implement skills training programs to constituents of Baguio City; Assign trainers who are compliant with TVET trainer requirements and equipped with competencies required in their respective qualifications; Ensure the curricula, modules of instruction and learning materials are appropriate and compliant with TESDA standards; Provide tools, equipment, supplies, and materials and other resources required by the TVET Scholarship Programs (TWSPs, STEP, RESP) only; Provide honorarium to private TVET Trainers for community-based training programs subject to proper government accounting rules and regulations; Be responsible for the conduct of Training Induction Program, documentation, submission of reports to the Provincial Office thru the T2MIS and other required report as deemed necessary; Facilitate conduct of competency assessment to graduating/participating trainees; Coordinate with the Second Party to establish an effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of the programs being conducted; and Recommend measures to ensure the success of the program.

Likewise, the responsibilities of the City Government of Baguio are: To designate and select individuals, or members of various sectors, who shall participate in the training and capacity building sessions; For pilot or satellite trainings or orientations, or community-based training approach, provide an appropriate venue for the effective delivery of skills training programs;  Provide tools, equipment, supplies and materials, and other resources required for short-term livelihood programs delivered through community-based training approach; Provide administrative and related support such as information dissemination, recruitment, and screening of enrollees subject to and in accordance with existing TESDA rules and regulations; Assist in monitoring the conduct and progress of the training programs; Coordinate with First Party to establish an effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of the programs; In coordination with the First Party, ensure that post-training assistance and employment facilitation activities are extended to the graduates; and Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs in coordination with the First Party.

Photos by: Stephanie Nicole M. Peligman