TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Danilo Cruz instructed its field offices to help the areas affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon last July 27.

“All concerned Regional and Provincial Offices are directed to send immediate assistance through the ‘TESDAmayan’ Program,” Cruz said in a memorandum to its field offices in Regions I and II and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The ‘TESDAmayan’ is the agency’s banner program which aims to assist communities affected by any crisis brought about by natural calamities, disasters, or any other untoward incidents which cause displacement.

Under the directive, field offices were also instructed  to activate their disaster team/Regional Augmentation Team to ensure affected areas would be assisted and provided interventions in terms of human resources and technical complementation.

Likewise, they were ordered to coordinate with the proper regional/provincial government agencies and local chief executives to assess the needed assistance in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Cruz said TESDA is ready to provide interventions, particularly training programs to residents of areas affected by the earthquake, especially when rehabilitation in the affected localities starts.

“Let us remember that technical and vocational education is not just acquiring skills and competencies. It is about improving the economic and social standing of the Filipinos including those who are recovering from the effects of natural calamities,” the TESDA chief said.

Ever since, TESDA has been providing assistance, particularly relief packs and provision of skills training on construction-related programs to the residents of disaster-hit areas to make them capable of rebuilding their houses and creating livelihood.