THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority marked its 26th anniversary with various development programs to be implemented in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in the country.

TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña, in his message during the anniversary program held Thursday morning via Zoom meeting, recognized the initiatives of all TESDAns amidst the pandemic.

Lapeña also called on all employees to help Filipinos recover from the crisis, especially the repatriated overseas Filipino workers and those in the far-flung areas.

As part of the TESDA 26th Anniversary Celebration, Lapeña tasked all TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices to launch a development program for an identified GIDA in their area to be held simultaneously Friday, August 28.

In the National Capital Region, TESDA, along with other PRLEC member agencies, will launch the “Gulayan ng Bayan, Bagong Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Pandemya” Program – an urban community agriculture project for the residents of Sitio San Roque, Bagong Pag-asa Village in Quezon City.

TESDA Region IV-A (CALABARZON) will launch Project Turn-On-The-Sun in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal and in Barangay Patungan, Maragondon, Cavite.

The project is a five-day training on basic solar (off-grid) lighting and charging system which aims to improve the living conditions of special clients such as the indigenous people and supply the selected barangays with electricity through renewable energy.

Meanwhile, TESDA-Region III will have the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran Project at Sitio Ipo Dam, San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Region I is about to implement Project Nam-ay: A Poverty Reduction Program for Barangay Tablac and Project Empowering Indigenous Peoples of Bugnay, both in Candon City in which 143 beneficiaries including Bago Tribes will be given skills training on agriculture and food production programs. A 12-day skills training program for Isneg Tribe in Ilocos Norte will also be launched.

In TESDA-Region IX, Project Integrated Community Assistance and Rural Enterprise or Project ICARE will be brought to Barangay Dalapan, Guipos, Zamboanga Del Sur with Training Induction Program wherein the Subanen tribe is the identified beneficiary.

All other TESDA offices will launch their respective barangay development projects such as training on smart farming systems and other agri-related programs, solar lights installation, among others.

Lapeña thanked all TESDA employees and partners, both in the government and the private sector, for helping the agency achieve its goals.

During the TESDA anniversary program, the 2019 TESDA National Model Employees were also awarded which include Cynthia Revilla of Region XI, Juliet Ramos, Frederick Samiling, and Romeo Talosig of Region II.

The late TESDA Deputy Director General for Operations Gladys Rosales was also given the Posthumous Award which was received by her husband, Police Captain Generoso Rosales.

TESDA Region XI and LeadTech Philippines led by Engr. Reyman Zamora were also recognized for their outstanding implementation of Barangay Development Projects.

Moreover, 20 Idols ng TESDA were recognized for attaining skills excellence and success in their chosen careers. Idols ng TESDA are tech-voc graduates who made significant economic contributions to their communities.

The anniversary program concluded with a message from Senator Manny Pacquiao, who was the guest of honor and recipient of TESDA’s National Kabalikat Special Award.

“I would like to commend TESDA for the unified efforts in helping our people even in the most difficult times. As we face this pandemic, TESDA will continue to give hope and support, headed by Secretary Isidro Lapeña and with the help of the dedicated men and women of TESDA,” Pacquiao said.