BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently distributed scholarship vouchers to the 16 municipalities in northern Cebu that were hit by typhoon Yolanda.
TESDA director general Joel Villanueva visited Cebu recently to lead the distribution of the scholarship grants to the mayors and their constituents of these towns which got the bulk of the P40.5 million allocated for Central Visayas.
“The free trainings to typhoon survivors will allow them to start their own small bsusiness to sustain them”, Villanueva said as livelihood starter kits will be given to beneficiaries as well.
Villanueva urged the residents to use the training to learn skills they could use in rebuilding their communities and start their own small business.
Vocational trainings for the recipients included on carpentry, welding, commercial cooking and massage therapy among other special trainings that could open opportunities for the survivors.
TESDA is advancing its special training for the recipients so they could benefit from employment opportunities. This way, Villanueva said the agency can contribute in effectively addressing underemployment and unemployment in the regions.
“TESDA’s scholarship programs for Cebu last year had P32 million budget intended for 3,036 slots. This year, the agency increased its budget allocation to P101.268 million to provide for 6,029 targeted slots,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva added that TESDA advocates its programs for the young people, especially the out-of-school youths for them to realize there is still hope in this country and inspire them to never stop dreaming.
After a press conference, Villanueva with ex-players of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) showed off their skills during a basketball exhibition game billed “Shoot for your Dream” organized by TESDA-7. The game is part of TESDA-7’s social marketing and advocacy program.
The exhibition game pitted the Team Specialistas and Team Trabaho backed by former PBA players like Marlou Aquino, Bal David, Jerry Codinera, Rodney Santos, Bobby Jose and Kenneth Duremdes.
Team Specialistas was led by ex-PBA stalwarts Ramon Fernandez and Bonel Balingit; Cebu Congressmen Samsam Gullas and Bebot Abellanosa, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, businessman Glenn Soco and TESDA graduates.
The game ended with a score of 98-95 for the Team Trabaho. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7 with reports from Kristal A. Eduyan, PIT intern)