THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority deployed trainers to the communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

TESDA director general Isidro Lapeña on Monday, January 3, led the send-off ceremony for 182 trainer-volunteers who will augment the workforce and assist in the provision of technical services in calamity-stricken areas.

Lapeña said that 92 personnel from Luzon will be transported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to different destinations while 90 others from Region V, IX, XI, and XII will travel by land, sea, and commercial flight.

Initially, the TESDA trainers will be deployed to Palawan, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Surigao City, Siargao and Dinagat Islands.

They will conduct training on construction-related courses to help speed up the rehabilitation and repair of damaged houses. TESDA allotted P195 million worth of scholarship funds for this purpose.

Lapeña said that trainings on Solar Installations and Food Production will also help residents in their everyday needs like food and electricity.

Last week, Lapeña visited the Caraga Region to check the situation of the residents affected by Typhoon Odette.

“I went around in Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Camiguin in Region X to see for myself the situation on the ground and the devastation I saw there indeed requires our immediate help,” the TESDA chief said.

Lapeña thanked the AFP for its assistance and for the trainer-volunteers who will be deployed.

“This will not be like your ordinary training duties, but I am sure this will be among your significant, if not, the most significant assignment you will ever have as TESDA trainers,” Lapeña told the trainers.

“We will be doing a noble task which is to help our countrymen, as well as our fellow TESDAns in the regions affected by Typhoon Odette,” he added.

TESDA regional and provincial offices continue to distribute relief packs to communities affected by the typhoon under its “TESDAmayan” initiative.