TESDAMAYAN. Scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Abra build temporary shelters for earthquake-hit residents in this undated photo. The scholars built the houses together with their trainers who ensured the quality and safety of the structures. (PNA photo courtesy of TESDA-Abra)
BAGUIO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) on Thursday said it has started training Abra residents on building temporary shelters for families affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon last July 27.
“TESDA-Abra was given the go-signal to conduct and implement a training cum production scholarship as the agency’s counterpart in the recovery effort for Abra, the epicenter of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake on July 27 that was felt in many parts of Luzon,” TESDA-CAR OIC Regional Director Jovencio Ferrer said.
The training cum production is a program of the TESDA under the Training for Work Scholarship Program where trainees are taught and tasked to do a project under the guidance of a trainer who ensures the quality of the houses and the proper performance of the scholars.
Each trainee receives an allowance of PHP160 per day, one-year insurance, an internet allowance, and a provision of personal protective equipment, aside from the skill.
The TESDA also waives the assessment fee of the scholars for their competency assessment that will entitle the student to obtain an internationally recognized national certification.
The program is in line with “TESDAmayan,” a nationwide program of the agency that aims to assist victims of calamities.
An initial 40 trainees composed of 20 Carpentry NCII trainees and 20 Masonry NCI trainees, along with 10 trainers, were assigned to be part of the augmentation team to help build temporary shelters for the victims.
Since its start, 10 temporary houses have been built, each having an estimated cost of PHP10,000 which was shouldered by the TESDA central office.
One of the houses was built for a family in Barangay Presentar in Lagangilang town whose house was burned when the family members rushed outside their residence during the earthquake and left the lighted candle that caused the fire.
The nine other houses were built in Suyo in Pidigan town; Sta. Rosa in Bangued town, and Presentar in Lagangilang town.
TESDA-Abra training center head Emmanuel Ballesteros said aside from rebuilding homes, the government also trained scholars to make pastry and bread that were distributed to residents in evacuation centers.
Drinking water and food packs were also distributed to residents in Pidigan, and Lagangilang towns, he added.
“TESDA’s training cum-production method provides practical skills and experience for trainees to use the knowledge they gain and have an actual output after the training period,” Ballesteros said. (PNA)
