LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III expressed full support to the national government’s programs and projects which are geared towards reducing poverty at the countryside.
During the One TESD Summit Cycle2 conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently at the Sison Auditorium, the Governor said that the provincial government even during the term of his father, former Governor and now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. had instituted and launched various endeavors that could empower and enhance the community such as livelihood opportunities.
These, he said, are some of the effective strategies that the government is currently implementing to boost both the economy and enhance people’s productivity.
Stressing the various gains of the past administration under the leadership his father, Gov. Pogi said he will continue the legacy handed down to him as he vowed to work hand-in-hand with various sectors in the province to include TESDA.
Meanwhile, TESDA Regional Director Cenon Querubin said that the agency, through Secretary Guiling A. Mamondiong, will reposition technical vocational education and training (TVET) towards a two-pronged strategy such as TVET for global competitiveness and TVET for social equity.
TVET is recognized to contribute in both economic growth and social equity by providing productive and employable skills needed by the industries, the communities and the individuals.
As explained by Querubin these are all aimed at developing productive and world-class skilled workforce for decent and productive employment to achieve sustainable inclusive growth.
TVET is recognized as a source of the required skills, knowledge and technology to drive productivity in industries, and consequently, make them globally competitive.
In addition, TESDA’s two-pronged approach towards poverty is focused on pursuing global competitiveness which are characterized by following set and internationally benchmarked standards, continuous adaptation of the most recent technologies and innovations, conformity with the demands of the industries as well as actively strengthening public-private partnerships.
Some of the programs that are generally being implemented under this strategy include the following: competency standards and training regulations development, TVET program registration and accreditation, competency assessment and certification, scholarships (TWSP), mutual recognition arrangements, benchmarking and comparability, innovation centers, international partnerships and arrangements (including linkages with foreign skills training institutions), enterprise-based trainings (DTS, Apprenticeship), skills competitions and capability building for centers of excellence.
On the other hand, TVET on social equity, is based on the principle of social inclusion that places people, particularly those who are socially excluded and displaced (such as the informal workers, indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolks, drug dependents, rebel returnees, women victims of abuse and human trafficking, returning OFWs, persons with disabilities (PWDs), among others) into the mainstream of society, as beneficiaries and active participants in the development process. It also aims to address the disparities and uneven development across regions, provinces and sectors.
Facilitated by TESDA Pangasinan led by Prov’l Director Manuel B. Wong, One TESD Summit Cycle2, was participated in by various stakeholders from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Wong noted that the summit is aimed to unify ideas and eventually come up with a common goal.
Topics presented by individual speakers during the whole-day summit are as follows: Regional Development Thrusts and Priorities by Dr. Irenea Ubungen, Chief EDS, NEDA, RO1; Human Resource Development Road Map by Barbara Jane Pablico, Chief TESDS., TESDA RO1; The Tourism Industry Challenges by Dir. Martin S. Valera, Regional Director, Dept. of Tourism RO1; and TVET Reform and Development Agenda/Two-Pronged TVET Strategy for Poverty Reduction by Reg’l Dir. Querubin.
During the after session, all four provinces in Region 1 presented their provincial outputs as to the TVET challenges and their issues. Pangasinan was represented by PESO Chief Alex F. Ferrer.
To achieve a common goal, a manifesto of commitment dubbed “Katulagan/Katalusan” was signed by the provinces.
By HENT
