By Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA
MANILA — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) office in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) will build two world-class training centers in 2019, its regional director said on Monday.
“Region 12 (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) has the least number of (TESDA) training centers, only three,” TESDA-12 Director Rafael Abrogar II told the Philippine News Agency (PNA), adding that the two training centers will be a big help.
“We want to educate and empower people. Region 12 is very economically progressive and very competitive. To sustain the economic gains (in the region), we have to empower our people,” Abrogar stressed, saying the premier training centers will help eradicate poverty in the process.
Abrogar estimates 20,000 students will benefit from the two training centers in five years.
Courses will be varied, as the agency is also working with the private sector to better pinpoint the in-demand courses for the students.
Meanwhile, Abrogar said about PHP150 million will be spent for the training center in Sarangani, and PHP100 million in South Cotabato.
“Senator Manny Pacquiao and Deputy House Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez pledged to contribute for the needed funds,” he said.
Abrogar added TESDA-12’s budget for 2019 is about PHP35 million, on top of the funds for the new training centers.
