On its 18th anniversary, TESDA cooks for flood victims

22 August 2012

Officials and staff of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) found new meaning in the celebration of the agency’s 18th anniversary. 
 
Instead of proceeding with a planned skills competition among employees and other activities, the agency's personnel pool their resources and did volunteer work in preparing various dishes that they distributed to the flood victims who have sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers in Metro Manila.
 
Secretary Joel Villanueva led the directors and staff of TESDA in whipping up simple dishes and in distributing food and used clothes to the flood victims in various evacuation centers.

The TESDAn CARE (Cooking And Re-giving food/used clothes for Evacuees) was among the highlights of the agency’s 18th anniversary celebration on August 22.  The evacuees received used clothes during TESDA's aid efforts.
 
"TESDA's 18th anniversary celebration found greater meaning with this initiative that helped our kababayan in dire need," Villanueva said.
 
"It is at this time when it is better to give a person fish, than to teach him how to fish because food is one of their immediate needs, but we hope we can also conduct training programs for them later," he said.
 
The TESDA chief led teams in evacuation centers in Taguig, Pateros, Pasig, Marikina, Pasay and Manila. Deputy director General Teodoro Pascua's team took care of Taguig and Pateros; Deputy director general Irene Isaac and her team were in Pasig and Marikina; and Regional director Nenuca Tangonan and her group were in Pasay and Manila.

TESDA's 18th anniversary celebration kicked off on August 22 with a mass and parade of its staff at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City.
 
On August 24, Villanueva will lead in recognizing the winners of the agency’s institutional awards for its partners and graduates such as the Kabalikat Award, Search for Idols ng TESDA and TESDA Best! Batang TESDA and the agency’s blogging entry contest.  The agency's model employees, loyalty awardees and outstanding teachers will also be given recognition as part of the celebration.

TESDA is the arm of the government mainly in charge of implementing technical and vocational education and training in the country.
 
It offers scholarship slots, and partners with government agencies and the private sector in carrying out various skills training programs.  It also conducts assessment and certification of its graduates.