TESDA Launches the Sustainable and Resilient Livelihood Program for Kapatiran

August 22, 2020

At the launching of the Sustainable and Resilient Livelihood Program for the Kapatiran held at Covered Court, Brgy Locotan, Kabankalan

Rudy Traso, Chair of the Kapatiran Kabankalan Chapter

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) together with the Local Government of Kabankalan, Brgy. Officials of Locotan, Central Philippine State University (CPSU), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) spearheaded the launching of the Sustainable and Resilient Livelihood Program for Kapatiran or formerly known as RPMP / RPA / ABB/ TPG at Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan City on August 18, 2020.

In observance with the guidelines and protocols set by the IATF, around 210 attendees, including the Kapatiran and their families filled the venue.
In her message, Acting Provincial Director Beverly Insular explained that the program is part of the effort of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under EO 70 to free the people from poverty through collective efforts.

“One of the root causes of insurgency is poverty, that’s why the priority of the PRLEC is poverty reduction. But we cannot achieve the main goal of the cluster without solidarity and cooperation among the different sectors. As the head of the PRLEC, we urge our partners to give their 100% commitment to this program. Please don’t get tired of helping our brothers and sisters resided in conflict-affected areas,” Insular said.

April Casalem, Peace Program Officer of OPAPP lauded TESDA for its continuous support in the peace process even under these trying times of COVID 19. She also assured of OPAPP’s support for the program.

Acting PD Beverly Insular delivers her message for TESDA’s partners

“As we marked another milestone in the history of the peace agreement, the JEMC and OPAPP will work hand in hand to provide the necessary support that will guarantee the success of the TESDA intervention. We are also hopeful that with this, Kapatiran will become more independent and empowered people’s organization that is income generating and socially competent. We believe that thru amity, unity and cooperation, we will achieve a just and lasting peace,” Casalem said.

Punong Barangay Zharwrigley Dayon of Locotan, Dr. Dina Genzola, Supervising Agriculturist of OPA, Victor Alamon, Senior Business Councilor II of DTI, PLTCOL Mary Rose Salve Pico of PNP Kabankalan, LTCOL Erwin Cariño, Commanding Officer of 15th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army, and Dr. Salvador Castor, Dean of College of Agriculture and Forestry of CPSU also expressed their support and discussed their intervention for the said undertaking.

Vice Mayor Rivera gives his closing remarks

Kabankalan Vice Mayor Raul Rivera thanked TESDA and its partners for making the program possible for the Kapatiran Group. He hoped that the beneficiaries will appreciate the effort of various government offices and will use the available services to improve their lives.

On the other hand, Mr. Rudy T. Traso, Chair of the Kapatiran Kabankalan Chapter gave the response in behalf of his group.

In his speech, he mentioned that the Kapatiran also wish for a peaceful and productive community.

“Matapos ang 50 ka tuig nga ara kami sa bayolente nga panghimakas para sa amun kausa, sa pumuluyo, subong nahibaluan na namun nga ang problema sang atun pungsod halin sa ekonomiya, edukasyon, medical kag kultura indi maresolba paage sa giyera kundi maresolbar paagi sa pakipag istorya. Nag abot na ang oras para sa pag bag-o kag ang Kapatiran naga pasalamat gid sa national kag local nga panguluhan sa paghatag sa amun sang tsansa nga makabulig sa atun gobyerno kag magbalik sa sabak sang gobyerno,” Traso said.

“After 50 years of armed struggle, now we have learned that the problem of our country cannot be resolved by resorting to war or aggression, instead it can be addressed through peaceful means. The time for change has come and in behalf of the Kapatiran, we thank you to all the national and local government offices for giving us the opportunity to contribute to national development and to permanently go back to the folds of the law,” Traso also said.

The program entitled “Sustainable and Resilient Livelihood Program” aims to provide community-based training on Organic Sugarcane Production wherein beneficiaries will have the opportunity to learn how to produce Home-based Muscovado Sugar, Organic Vegetable Production, Raise Organic Chicken and Installation of Solar Irrigation System.

Among the benefits include free training cost, free assessment, internet allowance, 1-year accident insurance, health / personal protective equipment allowance, training support fund / allowance of 160 per day and entrepreneurship training to be conducted by DTI.

TESDA will also provide 1-unit sugarcane juicer machine to the Kapatiran Community for the production of home-based muscovado sugar.* (JENIE Y. NOTCHITE, Information Officer, TESDA Negros Occidental Provincial Office)