TESDA execs, barangay captains to identify training beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Central Visayas are scheduled to meet with the barangay officials of Danao City to draw out a list of beneficiaries in the training program for drug surrenderers.

TESDA-7 director Florencio Sunico Jr. said the meeting would be their first following the launching of the community-based training program in the city last October 10.

Sunico said that training facilities and personnel have been made available but police and health authorities have yet to identify possible beneficiaries fit to undergo the training.

He said TESDA has been eager to start with the skills training, however, there is a necessary requirement for a drug surrenderer to avail of the training program. The beneficiaries had to be certified as fit for the training and are no longer drug dependent.

The Department of Health in Central Visayas has been tasked to identify and recommend the program beneficiaries for the aftercare skills training intervention.

Sunico admitted the agency has been pressed with clamor from the public asking on the status of the implementation of the skills training program.

But he said the agency only depends on the list of recommendees from other agencies involved in the program.

The meeting with the barangay officials is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. At least 42 barangay captains are expected to attend the meeting. 

TESDA-7 officials are also set to meet with the officials of the Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu City.

This activity is part of TESDA’s flagship program "Kasanayan Para sa Kabuhayan at Kapayapaan," which focuses on providing skills training for self-employed, overseas employment cooperators, entrepreneurs, family enterprises including rebel returnees and drug dependents.

In Central Visayas, the training program was established and supported through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 10. The signing was witnessed by TESDA Secretary Guiling Mamondiong.

The formal agreement was made between TESDA, DOH-7, PRO-7, Department of the Interior and Local Government-7; and Department of Social Welfare and Development -7.

It is aimed at strengthening the commitment of different agencies in supporting the government’s program, particularly its drive in eliminating drug dependency in the country. (FREEMAN)