TESDA implements ‘Buddy System’ to help typhoon-affected regions

December 29, 2021

Taguig City – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Offices who were not affected by Typhoon Odette were tapped to help regions devasted by the disaster.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said that to ensure a well-coordinated, faster, and more efficient delivery of assistance programs, TESDA is implementing a Whole-of-TESDA approach in its initiatives through “Buddy System.”

The assigned regions are Region IV-A for Region IV-B; Region II for Region VI; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region I for Region VII; Region V for Region VIII; Region IX for Region X; and National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions III, XI and XII for Caraga Region.

“Ang mga TESDA Regional Offices na hindi direktang nasalanta ng Bagyong Odette ay magmo-mobilize ng kanilang augmentation teams upang tulungan ang ibang regions na direkta namang nasalanta ng bagyo. Sila ang magiging magka- ‘buddy’ sa aming mga TESDAmayan initiatives at relief efforts,” Lapeña said.

TESDA Region IX expressed its readiness to provide solar-powered charging stations in the affected barangays in Region X while TESDA Region V will mobilize its trainers on Bread and Pastry and will deploy Mobile Training Laboratory.

Likewise, TESDA Region III will deploy their trainers on construction-related courses to Caraga Region.

“Ang mga TESDA field offices po ay ating inatasang i-deploy ang aming mga trainers para mag-conduct ng training-cum production on construction-related qualifications para maitayo agad ng ating mga kababayan ang kanilang mga bahay,” Lapeña said.

It can be recalled that Lapeña had reiterated his order to the regional and provincial offices to provide skills training, particularly on construction-related courses, to residents of typhoon-hit areas.

TESDA will conduct training on various courses such as Basic Masonry, Carpentry, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM), Plumbing, and Photovoltaic Systems Installation.

Meanwhile, TESDA field offices continue to provide relief packs to residents of the communities affected by the typhoon, another “TESDAmayan” initiative. Some offices have deployed their personnel to conduct repairs of houses in certain areas.

The “TESDAmayan” initiative was created under the leadership of Lapeña that aims to help communities affected by crisis such as natural disasters, or any incidents that causes displacement among the residents. ###