TRAINEES. Scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental with officials during their completion ceremony held at Mambaroto covered court on April 22, 2022. Some 175 trainees obtained technical and vocations qualifications under the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program. (Photo courtesy of TESDA-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has provided various assistance to residents of Sipalay City, which was among the worst hit by Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental, in December last year.
On Tuesday, TESDA-Western Visayas reported the latest beneficiaries were 175 individuals, who completed technical and vocations qualifications last week through skills training under the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program.
Assistant Regional Director Rick Abraham said through the banner program “TESDAMayan”, they assist communities affected by any crisis brought about by natural calamities, disasters, or any untoward incidents which cause displacement among the residents.
“TESDA was able to provide relief operations, deployed its trainers in areas hit by Typhoon Odette to help rebuild damaged houses and clearing operations, and conducted various construction-related skills trainings to make the affected residents capable of rebuilding their houses,” he added.
Aside from the skills training provided, some 33 houses were also repaired and rehabilitated in severely affected barangays, 105 residents availed of the medical mission, and 300 food packs were distributed by the agency through the “TESDAMayan”.
On April 22, the 175 scholars finished their training, including 25 each under Masonry National Certificate (NC) I, Carpentry NC II and Plumbing NC I, and 50 each who trained for Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II.
During the ceremony held at Mambarato covered court, Councilor Claudio Bacatan presented the City Council’s resolution to TESDA, expressing their profound thanks to experts and trainers from the regional offices in Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley, who assisted Sipalay in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
Teams from the two regions stayed and provided aid in Sipalay for almost three months. (PNA)
