MANILA — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will continue to hone the knowledge and skills of its high-performing trainers, particularly its “Tagsanay” awardees, by exposing them to various training centers, an executive told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday.
Every year, TESDA recognizes trainers from Technical Vocational Institutions and TESDA Technology Institutions, who have exceeded the requirements set for technical vocational education and training (TVET), and those who have demonstrated competencies beyond expectations.
For this year, the awardees and some TESDA officials joined the World Teachers’ Day celebration held last Oct. 5 in Ormoc City. From there, the awardees visited the Regional Training Center of Tacloban-Auto Mechanic Training Center of Smile and Heart Project of Isuzu, KEITECH, Villaconzoilo Farm School, and Pitahaya Farm School.
They also participated in eco-tourism activities, as they visited the Pineapple Farm, Lake Danao, and McArthur Park, and planted trees at the TESDA Regional Training Center in Region 8.
“This is the second year that we have done this (activity or tour of centers). We aim to enrich their knowledge and further expose them to new technologies,” TESDA Deputy Director General Alvin Feliciano said.
He said the training institutions that the awardees have visited are “among the best and most advanced in the (ASEAN) region.”
The executive reiterated that TESDA will keep on exposing the “Tagsanay” awardees to different training centers.
2018 ‘Tagsanay’ Awards
For this year, TESDA bestowed the “Tagsanay” award to Christopher Olipas of OLM Institute and Skills Training Center for Allied Courses, Inc. He has been an accredited tech-voc trainer and assessor for 10 years now.
Aside from getting the Outstanding TVET Trainer award, Olipas also received the Best in Activity-Based Assessment special award.
Melea Gonzales, an instructor from Tarlac School of Arts and Trade, Inc., and Ariel Ronato from Teamskills School for Culinary and Hospitality Management, were awarded the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Gonzales received two special awards — Best in Panel Interview and Best in Innovative Training Induction Program. Ronato, meanwhile, got the Best in Portfolio.
The awardees were given PHP25,000 (winner), PHP20,000 (first runner-up) and PHP15,000 (second runner-up), a trophy and a plaque. Those who were included in the top 8 nominees received PHP5,000 cash and a certificate of distinction.
The awarding ceremony was held last Aug. 23 at the TESDA Women’s Center in Bicutan, Taguig.
According to Feliciano, institutions can nominate for the “Tagsanay” Awards. Nominations will then be processed by TESDA provincial and regional offices. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
