15 July 2015
In the fishing communities in Zambales province, the fisherfolks' age-old skills of the sea — mend nets, read the tide, find abundant haul — are being melded with new skills to make their livelihood sustainable.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has announced a special training for fisherfolks that would make them adept in repairing small engines, including the engines of their boats.
The training, which started on July 1 will run until September and will be conducted in three batches. Close to a hundred persons will benefit from the training program from the municipalities of Palauig and Masinloc, according to Virginia Bondoc, provincial director of TESDA Zambales.
The graduates will undergo an assessment and passers will receive a National Certificate on Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing NC II.
"At the end of the day, we will not have fishermen who know where the biggest catch are, but skilled individuals who can troubleshoot the engines of their boats, the main equipment of their livelihood," TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.
"The new knowledge and skills will spare the fishermen from the high cost of repairs. They no longer have to shell out money that could otherwise be spent for the needs of their families," Villanueva added.
Teodoro Gatchalian, TESDA Region III Director, said the course will focus on training an individual in installing and servicing parts of motorcycle and small engine.
Among the skills that one will acquire are applying appropriate sealant or adhesive; moving and positioning the vehicle; performing mensuration and calculation; reading interpreting and applying specifications and manuals; using and applying lubricant or coolant; performing shop maintenance; servicing fuel, lubrication system, ignition system, exhaust system, suspension system, brake system, wheels and tires, clutch system, electrical system, cooling system; and, overhauling motorcycle or small engine.
Located in central Luzon, Zambales is an agricultural province known for its major industries such as fishing and farming. The government has put in place measures to help boost the province's fishing industry, including providing the fishermen supply of fingerlings, life vests and other fishing gears and marine engines.
Masinloc fishermen learn how to assemble and disassemble small engines as part of their training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
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