17 February 2014
Soon to rise at the sprawling ground of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Taguig City is an eco-friendly building that will serve as an additional venue for technical-vocational training.
The building was donated by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) to help further tech-voc education in the country.
Last week, construction began for the two-story, 1,000 square meter structure that will be called the Green Innovation Technology Center. Joining Secretary Joel Villanueva during the ceremony were Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, FFCCCII president Dr. Alfonso Siy, and FFCCII president emeritus businessman Lucio Tan.
Villanueva, TESDA Director General, thanked the FFCCCII for sharing its resources to help the government train more youth hone their skills and become productive members of society.
"We are grateful for this donation, this would go a long way in training our youth," he said.
"TESDA and FFCCCII are together in this project of not just building a structure, but helping make people realize better future. As the saying goes, it takes a village to educate the youth," Villanueva added.
Siy said the Green Center was their humble contribution to TESDA, which has been at the forefront of developing the skills of future workers.
"Education is the best gift we can give the children," he said.
Hard work and determination, Siy said, were something his organization can impart to the trainees, noting that many of today's successful Chinese businessmen and leaders had humble beginnings.
The chamber president vowed to work more closely with TESDA in identifying other areas for collaboration.
The construction of the center was sealed in a Memorandum of Agreement between TESDA and FFCCCII last January 21. Under the deal, the chamber will provide the funds for the state-of-the-art building. Once completed, the building will be donated to TESDA.
The center will offer green technology programs such as solar-powered lighting, bio-mass technology, and engineered bamboo (e-bamboo).
It will also have programs on advanced agricultural crop production technologies such as hydroponics and organic vegetable production using drip irrigation, and use of rain water and waste water or water recycling aimed at enhancing production.
With over 200 member organizations nationwide, the FFCCCII has been engaged in various civic works and collaboration with the government such as in barrio school donations, relief operations and medical missions.
Officers of the Federation for Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) led by its president emeritus, Lucio Tan, and president, Dr. Alfonso Siy, graced the groundbreaking of the Green Center, a building the group donated to TESDA for its technical vocational trainees. TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz joined the guests at the event.
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