PARTNERSHIP. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Negros Occidental provincial director Niña Connie Dodd (left) discusses the proposed memorandum of agreement between TESDA and the local government units in the province to implement the “TESDA Sa Barangay” initiative. The program was presented during the meeting of the Association of Chief Executives in Negros Occidental led by Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on May 10, 2024. (Photo courtesy of TESDA-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY–The Association of Chief Executives (ACE) in Negros Occidental expressed support to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) initiative called “TESDA Sa Barangay” for the promotion and expansion of the technical vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem at the local level.
In a statement on Wednesday, TESDA-Negros Occidental said the mass signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between TESDA and the local government units (LGUs) is set tentatively in June.
“This is a massive skills training program. Through the ‘TESDA Sa Barangay,' we shall reach out to the LGUs and expand our services to meet the needs of our communities,” TESDA-Negros Occidental provincial director Niña Connie Dodd said, citing Circular Nov. 52, series of 2023 on the implementing guidelines of the program.
During the meeting of the Negros ACE led by Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on May 10, Dodd discussed the proposed MOA, which will allow the TESDA and the LGUs to work together to improve the accessibility of the people to quality TVET.
It will also involve training the trainers and the barangay workers, conducting various skills training, and promoting the programs and services of the agency.
Negros ACE is an established association of mayors in Negros Occidental that aims to foster unity, exchange technical ideas, provide a forum to discuss concerns and assist its members, and support the implementation and information dissemination of projects in the province.
In an earlier statement, TESDA Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu said the operationalization of the “TESDA sa Barangay” is their strategy to promote and communicate the value of skills training and lifelong learning to encourage LGUs to invest in the TVET sector through the conduct of training programs on lower-level qualifications, such as National Certificate (NC) I and NC II.
“TESDA then will offer more diploma programs or higher-level TVET qualifications once LGUs start to offer lower-level qualifications,” he added.
The “TESDA sa Barangay” supports Section 29 of Republic Act 7796 or the TESDA Act of 1994, which calls for the authority to formulate, implement, and finance a specific plan to develop the capability of LGUs to ultimately assume the responsibility for effectively providing community-based technical education and skills development opportunities. (PNA)
