Former rebels graduate from TESDA skills training

KIDAPAWAN CITY  – Former communist rebels in Arakan, North Cotabato can now live normal and productive lives with the skills they earned from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The 53 former New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels graduated from Mobile Training that TESDA-12 had conducted. It was held in Barangay Tumanding, Arakan, North Cotabato.

According to TESDA North Cotabato Provincial Director Norayah Acas, the 53 former rebels, including their families, have undergone TESDA Mobile Training Laboratory on Appliance Repair Electronics Product Assembly NC II.

“Forty of the participants underwent assessment and evaluation and 23 of them passed,” Acas said.

“Those who did not pass the assessment will have their certificates of competency that which they can use for their future job,” Acas said during graduation rites speech.

Acas added that the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division helped TESDA in choosing the participants for the said Mobile Training Laboratory.

Barangay Captain Dante Tumanding of Barangay Tumanding was elated with the program from TESDA.

He said it was the first time that a government agency provided them training that will make scholars and their families become productive citizens and have dignified sources of income.

“For the past 45 years, we haven’t receive such programs only TESDA reach our community and gave us hope and skills,” Tumanding told TESDA staff during brief interview.

During his recent visit in Region 12, TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña has emphasized that the motto of TESDA now says it all.

“TESDA Abot Lahat” means to reach those marginalize sector in the county and give them the opportunity to change their lives for the better.

From January to date, about 886 members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), including rebel returnees, have availed of different TESDA programs in the region. (Karl Mike Tabingo)