THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority conducted the national launch of its “TESDA Sa Barangay” initiative in Tawi-Tawi in an effort to further expand technical and vocational training in the country.

Last May 23, TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu, together with Deputy Directors General Aniceto D. Bertiz III and Vidal Villanueva III, led the launching of the initiative at the DepEd Gym in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The launching of the “TESDA Sa Barangay” coincided with the Bagong Pilipina Serbisyo Fair headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Mangudadatu emphasized the crucial role of the local government units in the implementation of the “TESDA Sa Barangay” program.

“Upang maisakatuparan ang ‘TESDA Sa Barangay’ ay makikipag-partner tayo sa mga LGU na siyang magiging kaagapay natin sa pagpatupad ng ating mga training program,” the Secretary said.

“Sa ilalim ng programang ito, ay makakapagsanay tayo ng karagdagang tech-voc trainers at assessors upang mas marami pang Pilipino ang ating maserbisyuhan at mabibigyan ng dekalidad na training at National Certificates na inyong magagamit upang makamit ang inyong ninanais na trabaho o kabuhayan matapos maka-graduate,” he added.

The “TESDA Sa Barangay” is the flagship program of Secretary Mangudadatu which aims to ensure that people at the barangay level can access and avail of the agency’s basic services.

It also aims to scale up TESDA’s efforts in positioning TVET as a strategic tool for local development while enhancing the capacity of LGUs in TVET governance.

Under the program, TESDA will encourage and assist LGUs in offering lower-level qualifications such as those with National Certificate levels I and II. TESDA will then offer more diploma programs or higher-level TVET qualifications.

“Sa pamamagitan ng partnership sa LGUs, ang TESDA po ay tutulong upang magkaroon ng kakayahan ang mga LGU na makapagsagawa ng mga training para sa kanilang mamamayan,” Mangudadatu said.

Meanwhile, aside from the national launching of the “TESDA Sa Barangay,” the agency also distributed starter toolkits to 25 scholars of Bread and Pastry Production NC II, and 25 scholars of Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II.

Likewise, TESDA conducted various skills demonstrations on Fashion Design NC III, Cookery NC II, Solar Electrification and Solar Irrigation, Refrigeration and Airconditioning, and Smart Control System, Solar Powered Water System and Charging, among others.