TESDA, DOLE, Archdiocese of Davao partner for skills development

DAVAO CITY—Mila Suemith found a better life the time that she learned about agri-organic hog raising, which accordingly she will not have if she landed on a different job.

Thanks to the skills training she got from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Suemith and many others were able to achieve the life that they need in terms of finances due to the income they got from hog raising and other income-generating projects.

Aside from that, she has also shared the techniques to her caretakers in her piggery in Buda, the boundary between Bukidnon and Davao. A grotto was also put up in the lot where they pray and learn how to pray the Holy Rosary.

She added that they also celebrate Mass during special occasions together with the parish priest and neighbors.

Like Suemith, Rose Gadian was able to earn at the same time learn beauty secrets thanks to the beauty care training of TESDA.

During the Archdiocese of Davao’s Social Action Center launching of skills and training program on the Year of the Poor in partnership with TESDA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Suemith and Gadian talked to prospective beneficiaries of the skills training in the hope of inspiring them to persevere in the skills training so they too can achieve their dreams.

The launching was held last March 21 at the San Pablo Parish Pavilion, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City.

Inspired by the declaration of the Year of the Poor by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) this 2015 and Pope Francis who challenged the people to embrace being “Church of the Poor and for the Poor,” the partnership of the two government agencies and the local church of Davao was initiated since the time it began at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Maa.

“The challenge being brought before us is not simply to respond to the needs of the poorest of the poor of our brothers and sisters by providing material or financial aid that might perpetuate mendicancy. The more serious challenge is how can we restore their lost self-respect and self-confidence which were stripped from them by poverty that suppresses their potentials to develop fully as God’s stewards,” as stated in the Commitment of Support on the Year of the Poor Skills Development Program which was signed by Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles, DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Joeffrey M. Suyao and TESDA Regional Director Engr. Gaspar S. Gayona.

They also agreed and signed the document bearing the requisites stating that they commit following resources devoid of any monetary consideration:

• With the Expertise and resources of TESDA in empowering the poor through their skills trainings Programs, they will handle the training programs that will be given to the beneficiaries.
• DOLE will provide starter kits to those who will finish and pass the training given by TESDA
• The Archdiocese of Davao (through Social Action Center) will provide venue for the training, screening and follow up of deserving participants who are coming from the GKKs of the parish.

The commitment of support also bears the message of Pope Francis on the 29th World Youth Day in 2014 saying: “We have to learn to be on the side of the poor, and not just indulge in rhetoric about the poor! Let us go out to meet them, look into their eyes and listen to them. The poor provide us with a concrete opportunity to encounter Christ Himself, and to touch His suffering flesh.”

The Archdiocese of Davao, DOLE and TESDA expressed their hope and optimism for the success of the said program which will not only help the poor by giving them fish but also teaching them how to fish so that they may live.