“Consider this: Filipinos, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain access to quality training and development opportunities. These partnerships equip them with the necessary skills.”
— Secretary Dr. Suharto T. Mangudadatu
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TESDA Central Office, East Service Road, Bicutan, Taguig City. (Photo: SDN) EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
TAGUIG CITY (SDN) — ” Unwavering commitment to education, skills development, human resources advancement.”
True to the mandate of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), its Director General, Secretary Dr. Suharto T. Mangudadatu cited the above goals after he signed Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) signed a separate MOA with the Province of Maguindanao del Sur, one of the components of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Supposed to be, the manpower and skills agency was to sign partnerships also with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) but was not able to make it to the venue at the TESDA Auditorium at the agency’s Central Office, East Service Road, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
“These collaborations with … NAPC, Comelec, and provincial government of Maguindanao del Sur are not mere formalities; they are a testament to our unwavering commitment to education, skills development, and human resources advancement,” Mangudadatu emphasizes in his speech at the signing ceremony on July 10, 2024.
Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia signed the MOA with TESDA; Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez for NAPC; and representing Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu, Provincial Administrator Atty. Cyrus Torreña inked the MOA with the TWC.
Mangudadatu pointed out that the partnerships of TESDA with the government entities are proofs that the government is steadfastly dedicated to enhancing the nation’s human capital.
In a statement provided to the news media, the agency said its collaboration with NAPC will strengthen two partners’ efforts in reaching target beneficiaries and priority clients belonging to the 14 identified basic sectors, such as artisanal fisherfolks; children; cooperatives; farmers and landless rural workers; formal labor and migrant workers; indigenous people; non-government organizations; senior citizens; urban poor, persons with disabilities; victims of disaster and calamities; women; workers in the informal sector; and youth and students.
TESDA and NAPC set their partnership’s goal on making the national government’s training and livelihood programs easily accessible to the most in need of skills and technical development and support.
On the other hand, with the Comelec, their partnership will promote voter education using pre-taped seminars and orientations on the process of registration and the needed requirements, as well as other crucial information that voters needed before their participation in the upcoming elections.
Garcia took advantage of the event to speak about the new voting machines that will replace Smartmatic’s aging machines of 10 years old.
Comelec’s new votimg machines to be used in an automated elections in May 25, are rented, not bought, he said, thus, maintenance, upgrades, etc., are the manufacturer Miru Systems’ responsibility.
The Comelec chief and other officials of the poll body demonstrated how the Miru machines work, even having a mock up voting led by the TESDA head.
“Perfect!” Mangudadatu exclaimed after he cast his vote and seeing the ease on how the voting machines work, the speed, the accuracy.
Between the TWC and the Maguindanao del Sur local government, their collaboration seeks to formulate long- and short-term plans to implement the technical assistance for the development of the Institutional Development Plan (IDP 2024-2028), skills training, digitalization and innovation, gender and development (GAD) initiatives, and entrepreneurial activities.
The TESDA director general expressed confidence the collaborations would bear fruits.
“Our partnership with government institutions play a crucial role in achieving national goals across various sectors,” says Mangudadatu. “These partnerships will definitely facilitate collaboration, resource sharing, and effective responses to current challenges in the communities.”
He mentioned what he described as “formidable foes” such as unemployment, underemployment, and job skills match” but can be surmounted as “we stand together to conquer them.”
“Our confidence lies in our ability to empower our people with new skills — skills that are essential for overcoming obstacles. But it does not end there. These partnerships create tangible employment opportunities for TESDA graduates, uplift marginalized sectors, and cultivate highly qualified workforce,” Mangudadatu assures.
“Consider this: Filipinos, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain access to quality training and development opportunities. These partnerships equip them with the necessary skills.”
In closing, the TESDA secretary expressed confidence on the partnerships potentials to provide inclusive technical and vocational programs and services. He said these services are delivered with a heart, because with TESDA, “Lingap ay talagang maaasahan” (in short, TESDA can be truly relied upon). (♡)