Former rebels, dependents of insurgency-cleared villages in Escalante to get TESDA training

The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of Negros Occidental, together with the local government of Escalante continues to go to far-flung communities to assist residents of insurgency-cleared barangays in Escalante City.

On October 14, 2021, the PRLEC, which the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chairs, launched a project in two insurgency-cleared barangays of Escalante namely, Brgy. Dian-ay and Brgy. Binaguiohan.

Dubbed as “Serbisyong Pang-Gobyerno para sa Patuloy na Kapayapaan at Pag-abante ng Escalante,” the PRLEC will be providing skills training and other livelihood interventions for identified beneficiaries belonging to marginalized / vulnerable sector of the two barangays.

A total of 66 former rebels including their families (41 from Brgy. Binaguiohan and 25 from Dian-ay) will be the initial beneficiaries of TESDA Skills training programs, according to TESDA Negros Occidental Acting Provincial Director Romelia M. Nuezca.

Skills trainings for Brgy. Binaguiohan include Raise Organic Hogs and Raise Organic Small Ruminants for 21 and 20 individuals, respectively. For Brgy. Dian-ay, TESDA will be conducting training on Organic Agriculture Production NC II for 25 individuals.

“The training in Brgy. Dian-ay will be funded under the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) while in Brgy. Binaguiohan will be under the Special Training for Employment Program,” Nuezca added.

TESDA VI Regional Director Jerry G. Tizon, who led the launching activity in Barangay Dian-ay Covered Court, assured the TESDA’s commitment to help the country achieve inclusive and sustainable peace by supporting the basic and marginalized sector living in vulnerable areas.

“The training programs that will be given to you are just the start of our interventions. This is a stepping stone towards a life that you deserve,” RD Tizon said.

The Regional Director was joined by Escalante Mayor Melecio J. Yap, Jr., and Vice Mayor Johnny A. Gabriel.

Mayor Yap, in his message, expressed his gratitude for the program led by TESDA.

He then urged the beneficiaries to nurture and take seriously the training provided because it will be their way to change the course of their lives.

Other guests who attended the launching were Major Orlando Ayllon, Jr. Executive Officer of 79th Infantry Battalion; Rolyn Cabus, Executive Assistant IV; PLTCOL Mark Evan Salvo, Chief of Police, Escalante City; Hon. Juanito I. Gregorio, Punong Barangay of Dian-ay; Hon. Jocelyn N. Balicuatro, Punong Barangay of Paitan; Sangguniang Panglungsod Members and representatives from partner agencies like DILG, DTI, DA, and PESO.

The launching ended with the signing of pledge of support and cooperation by the partner government offices to the project “Serbisyong Pang-Gobyerno para sa Patuloy na Kapayapaan at Pag-abante ng Escalante.”* (JENIE Y. NOTCHITE, Information Officer, TESDA Negros Occidental Provincial Office)