MANILA — More than 8,000 indigenous people (IP) were provided with skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as of September.
It may be recalled that last February, TESDA has forged partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to provide skills training to the IP.
The said partnership aims to help the IP improve their lives and become more competitive and productive individuals.
Among the courses that TESDA provides are haircutting, beauty care and nail care (NC II), bread making (NC II), driving (NC II), hilot or wellness massage (NC II), masonry (COC/NC II), carpentry (NC II), cookery (NC II), welding (NC I), electrical installation and maintenance (NC II).
Based on TESDA’s records, 8,536 IPs were provided with skills training. Of the said figure, 2,869 were from Region 11.
Caraga has 1,669; Cordillera Administrative Region has 1,599; Region 12 has 810. Region 4 has 690; Region 1 has 343; Region 6 has 194; Region 5 has 173; Region 2 has 148; Region 10 has 25 and Region 8 has 16.
TESDA noted that the National Capital Region (NCR), Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Region 3, as well as Region 9 have not enlisted any IP to be given free skills training.
Meanwhile, TESDA Director Guiling Mamondiong said he expects more IPs will be interested to undergo the free skills training that the agency provides.
It may also be recalled that under Mamondiong’s leadership, a 14-point agenda was placed and the IP is among its focus.
The 14-point agenda is a framework designed to cater to the needs of identified groups such as urban and rural poor, farmers, fisher folks, women, rebel returnees/combatants, drug dependents, repatriated overseas Filipino workers, out-of-school youths, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), family enterprises, local government units and IP.