August 8, 2019

Taguig City - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro "Sid" Lapeña and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary lawyer John Castriciones forged yesterday the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at pursuing agricultural development through skills training.

Lapeña and Castriciones entered the agreement to ensure that both their agencies work further in strengthening the livelihood of the Filipino farmers and their families.

Through the MOA, TESDA and DAR will officially put into action a project called, "DAR-TESDA Partnership for Sustainable Living", that will cater to the needs of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) / Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in terms of skills learning.

Initially, 1,600 farmers and dependents, who are recipients of the Certificate of Land Award (CLOA), were identified and endorsed by DAR to TESDA for skills training program. They will be offered free agriculture-related training programs under the available scholarship slots of TESDA Regional Offices.

In his speech, the TESDA chief stated that the agency has listed training programs that can help improve the income of the beneficiaries and assured DAR for the strong participation of TESDA in the said collaboration.

"I would like to assure DAR for the assistance we're going to give, complimenting the program of DAR for this effort, para sa pag-angat ng buhay ng mga farmers natin," said Lapeña.

The DAR Secretary meanwhile said, "We are looking on how we will be able to strengthen their [farmers] economic status or standing. One way of doing so, aside from the efforts and the initiatives of the DAR, is by training the farmers themselves or their family members."

11 beneficiaries from Quezon and Batangas were present during the signing ceremony.

TESDA Deputy Director Generals Gladys Rosales and Rosanna Urdaneta, and DAR Undersecretary Atty. Emily Padilla also served as witnesses to the MOA signing.