AFP, PNP join peace, dev't training in CAR

OFFICERS of Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police pose for posterity during peace and development training in Cordillera Nov. 10.

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police began enhancing their strategies toward building peace, enhancing security and development in Cordillera Administrative Region.
    A total of 120 soldiers and policemen joined the 12-day training that opened here at the Cordillera police regional headquarters Nov. 10.
    It focused on Community Support Program (CSP) and seeks to enhance the capabilities of both the AFP and PNP stationed in the highland region in maintaining peace, security and development initiatives.
    “The joint training signifies our dedication to work hand in hand as we recognize the significant role we both play in maintaining peace and development in the region in support of the Local Government Unit”, Philippine Army Col. Virgilio Noora, who spoke during the opening rites of the joint training said.
    He explained that “pooling knowledge, experiences, and expertise can result in better approaches for maintaining peace and security while promoting development in CAR.”
    Recognizing the dynamic nature of security threats in the region, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca also said that “the joint training ensures both the AFP and PNP in the area to remain adaptable and effective, ensuring that they stay ahead of evolving security challenges."
    “The joint training strengthens the capabilities of the Community Support Program Teams to ensure a robust response to security challenges in the region,” he stressed.

The Cordillera police reaffirmed its full support for the joint training and future joint peace and development operations while ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities in the Cordillera region.

Col. Elmer Ragay, deputy regional director for operations of the Cordillera police also said that “the joint training recognizes the importance of collaboration in addressing peace and security challenges in the region, and through this joint training, it seeks to strengthen partnerships by fostering a more coordinated approach to responding to peace and development efforts.”

 

 

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Church youth attend basic journ training

SAGADA Mountain Province -- A basic journalism training participated by church youth from three churches of Sagada deanery was held here from Nov. 25-27.
    Sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin the three-day event was participated by eight high school students from churches of St Marks of Tanulong, St Simon Peter of Demang and CSMV.
    Aimed to hone writing skills of church youth, the training had lectures by local writers on the principles of newswriting by Gina Dizon, feature writing by Alma Bagano and editorial writing by Benjamin Longid.
In the same event, a bible study on the Gospel taken from Matthew 25:31-46 was facilitated by lay minister Wanay Pagadian.
    Also, elements of mandala arts was delivered by resource person peace advocate Dom-an Macagne.

    Participants were oriented on values of mandala namely balance, harmony and peace. -- By Shelby Bawaan, Vanja Cangbay, Cyrine Cadiogan, Selene KiIly, Sheila Mae Palsiw, Allysa Jeane Quinio, Judy Grace Pasiwat and Shawee Kate Viva.

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New Bontoc b’gay execs oriented on basic governance

By Christy Mae C. Pangesfan

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Newly-elected barangay officials of this capital town attended pre-assumption forum Thursday to orient them with needed knowledge and skills in the performance of their duties and responsibilities in their barangays.

    Punong barangays and Sanggunian members attended the forum at the Municipal Capitol auditorium for smooth assumption to the office understanding of their obligations as public servants.
    Municipal operations officer Lourdes Claire Peel of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government headed the training and oriented them on guidelines in appointing their Lupong Tagapamayapa, secretary and treasurer.
    Municipal Budget Officer Aida Lingbanan also told participants budget of the barangay while Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Johanna Padaen talked on community-based DRMM plan in every barangay and utilization of the 5% Calamity Fund.     Municipal Planning and Development Officer Virginia Kawi explained planning process of the barangay while assistant municipal treasurer Mellicynth Yodong bared income sources of the barangay.
    Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., cited critical role local leaders play in the community's development saying barangay officials bear the responsibility of directly impacting lives of  people they serve.
    "Remember that you're not just leaders. You are also neighbors, friends, and partners in the progress of this community. Your empathy and understanding will be crucial in bringing people together and building a stronger, more inclusive barangay," the mayor said.
 

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Apayao pushes digital literacy with trainings

By Aldwin Quitasol

LUNA, Apayao -- The Provincial Apayao Training Center recently held here a training program to fulfill higher digital literacy targeting employees from various offices and departments of provincial and municipal governments of Apayao.
    The two-day training first of the series of capacity building was started with a two-day photo and video editing training-workshop at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Multipurpose Hall was held.
    At least 24 participants from various offices in the provincial and municipal government of Flora and Calanasan towns attended the training — the first of the various trainings under ATC’s latest learning and development initiative in addition to its other regular technical-vocational course offerings.
    The workshop-training series will be undertaken in collaboration with the provincial government’s Human Resource Management and Development Division of the provincial government of Apayao.
    They are part of the bid to enhance capacities of its target participants with 21st century skills and competencies in order to contribute to a more efficient and innovative civil service workforce that can effectively meet the challenges of modern times.
    ATC administrator Jerome Lacambra said acquiring and honing digital skills of civil servants is not just an advantage but also a necessity.
    “I hope that you will embrace this opportunity to learn and grow as workers of the government,” Lacambra said.
    “As one of the skills development training institutions in the province, it is our goal to empower you with essential digital skills and competencies and foster professional growth and enhance your capabilities in the modern workplace,” he added.
    Lacambra said trainings for the month included technical writing on 10 to 11 October, basic journalism on Oct. 12, digital literacy on Oct. 14 and basics of data analytics, also on Oct. 19.
 
 

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Bontoc town folks trained for emergencies

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Folks here joined training in Barangay Mainit  here as responders in far barangays during emergencies.
    Training included basic life support and standard first aid .
    There were 34 trainees composed of Mainit youth, barangay officials, health workers and Guina-ang youth in the Oct. 6–8 training.
    The event was headed by the Bontoc local government through the Local Youth Development Office in partnership with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Mainit.

Technical assistance and logistic support were provided by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Emergency Response Team and Samoki Mountain Rescue Team. 

The training team included personnel from Bontoc LGU, BERT, Samoki Mountain Rescue Team, and Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS).

Lectures on principles of emergency care, introduction to BLS, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) management and basic first aid were discussed.

Facilitators also taught students skills and proper techniques for CPR, FBAO management, wound management using triangular and elastic bandaging techniques, and the management of suspected fractures using splinting techniques.
Participants were evaluated individually on their skills in CPR and FBAO.

As part of their evaluation, a simulation exercise was conducted to evaluate the participant's knowledge gained and skills developed in training.

Municipal Administrator Eric Fulangen, Sr., in his message during the first day, urged participants, especially the youth, to actively participate in said training, since barangays are far from medical facilities. -- Bontoc MDRRMO 

 

 

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36 Bontoc folks attend financial skills training

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay and Nicole Shayne Fidchao

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Thirty-six persons from barangays Maligcong, Tocucan, and Samokiof this capital town completed  finance, audit and inventory training on Oct. 11.
    The training initiated by the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) was to support vulnerable Filipino families through conditional cash transfers and organized training to enhance financial management skills and accountability among its beneficiaries.
    Thus, the training covered financial record-keeping, budgeting, and effective inventory management. Participants actively engaged in hands-on learning sessions, gaining practical insights into these essential aspects of financial management.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr. urged participants to actively engage in community matters, particularly financial management. 
    The mayor called for transparency and resident participation.
    Tudlong also urged the public to take part in shaping the city/town's financial practices, adding the Bontoc local government through Office of the Municipal Mayor is open for inquiries, suggestions, or concerns related to the audit and inventory training and its application in the community.
    The mayor thanked the DSWD for its commitment in empowering communities and improving lives of its beneficiaries through educational initiatives such as said training.
    Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to acquire  skills, saying they will implement what they've learned in their communities. 

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TESDA-Cordi, trainees help fix damaged schools

KADAMAY’. Personnel from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Cordillera regional office and the Abra provincial office repair houses damaged by the July 2022 magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Abra, in this August 2022 photo. TESDA Cordillera said it intends to do another round of its “Kadamay Kalamidad” program to help repair school infrastructures damaged by Super Typhoon Egay. (Photo courtesy PIA-CAR FB)

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be sending volunteers and its scholars to help prepare public schools for the opening of classes on Aug. 29 as part of the the Department of Education's ongoing “Brigada Eskwela.”
    TESDA-Cordillera assistant regional director and concurrent Abra provincial director Jimmicio Daoaten, in an interview on Tuesday, said that aside from their employees doing volunteer work, the agency also has ongoing training programs in the field of construction where scholar-trainees can be tapped to as part of their on-the-job training.
    “There are already some schools divisions of the DepEd in the Cordillera who have asked for assistance and we are responding to the call for help,” Daoaten said.
    He said they have a “training-cum-production” program where scholar-trainees are taught how to implement projects and a “community-based” scholarship program where trainees immerse themselves in the community to carry out projects.
    “They are supervised by their instructors to assure the quality of the job aside from the safety of the would-be occupants of the structure,” Daoaten said.
    The official said TESDA also has a “Kadamay Kalamidad” program which allows them to provide scholarships and skills training to affected families or people who can help these families.
    He said TESDA also sent volunteers to affected areas during past calamities, like the magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Abra last year.
    “We train people, we equip them with knowledge which skill can be used for a livelihood activity or to contribute in alleviating the sufferings of calamity victims. We support thru the training we give,” Daoaten said.

Aside from fixing structures, the TESDA can also give bread and pastry production -- to feed those who are working to fix the houses or to have an income from the sales of the produce. -- PNA

 

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Ilocos Norte university to offer drone pilot training

MOU SIGNING. Representatives of the MMSU and an Indian company signed a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 14, 2023 for a training partnership on geospatial data application. The agreement is valid for five years. (Photo courtesy of MMSU Stratcom)

By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY – A drone pilot training course will soon be available at the state-run Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, in partnership with the DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Ltd. (DAIL), an India-based company specializing in geospatial data application.

MMSU president Shirley Agrupis said on Tuesday that the latest tie-up with an Indian company is also expected to capacitate faculty and researchers in coastal engineering, disaster risk assessment and coastal flood modeling.
    “May this partnership be beneficial to students in the fields of agriculture, engineering, geoinformatics, and data science for internships and future job opportunities,” she said in a statement.
    On Aug. 14, officials of the MMSU and DAIL signed a six-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the training partnership at the Teatro Ilocandia.
    DAIL’s managing director Prateek Srivastava was represented by Marcia Chen, the company’s senior manager for business development and digital marketing.
    Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU vice president for research and extension; Mee Jay Domingo, internationalization, linkages and partnerships director; and Lawrence John Tagata, public-private partnerships director, also joined the MOU signing.

In the five-year MOU, DAIL and MMSU agreed to offer drone and geographic information system-related courses, trainings and workshops.

MMSU will provide classrooms and office spaces, and give access to hardware, software, and other tangible resources for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

On the other hand, the company will deliver the content and curriculum of the courses, and grant MMSU students and faculty access to drones and other applications. It will also provide at least four internships to junior and senior college students every year.

For her part, Chen expressed gratitude to the university for the collaboration, and said “the DroneAcharya will provide the best technology and services to support all projects that we will carry out together.”

The partnership is also expected to support the newly established Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center of the MMSU as it ventures into modern-day methods of data-gathering and decision-making in the field of coastal engineering.

Established in 2017, DAIL is engaged in various types of application based courses related to drone and GIS technology for all age group. It aims to train the next generation to become extremely skilled in using unmanned aerial vehicles, and to become a major player in the drone industry in India. (PNA)

 

 

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STEP scholars given toolkits for livelihood

LIFELINE RATE. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Kalinga avail of the government's electric consumption subsidy in this undated photo. In Baguio and Benguet, the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office said 7,826 4Ps beneficiaries stand to benefit from the subsidy program. (Photo courtesy of DSWD)

By Kayna Casey Shalou Ubongen  and Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay 

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Fifteen Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) scholars recently received toolkits here in Barangay Alab.
    This was realized through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Mountain Province Provincial Office and the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education in collaboration with the Bontoc local government.
    Each tool kit contained a shovel, basin, spring scale, and 16-liter knapsack sprayer. 
    The turnover was led by TESDA provincial director engineer Glenn Murphy, Center administrator Proserphina Pacyado and Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr.
    Present were Martin Pasong of TESDA- Mountain Province including Alab barangay officials of Alab Proper Alex Baclangen, and John Bellang, Jr.
    Tudlong thanked the TESDA and partner stakeholders for providing recipients with tools and equipment for them to use to put into practice what they have learned and start earning. 

He urged STEP scholars to use the toolkits wisely and continue the business they started.

“I am very happy to see all of you receiving your toolkits. I hope that you will use these to uplift your lives. Now, you can start your livelihood," the mayor added. 

The STEP is one of TESDA's scholarship programs that aim to provide free equality technical vocational education and training to deserving beneficiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Benguet police start security operations course

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- As part of the Police Regional Office’s program to combat insurgency in Cordillera, a new class of Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) started here at regional police office on July 31, the regional police information office said.
    Key officers present were Col. Marvin S. Diplat, chief of Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division; Col. Leon P. Talleo, chief of Regional Special Training Unit-Cordillera; Col. Damian D. Olsim, Benguet police director and Col. Jerry B. Haduca, deputy provincial director for administration of Benguet Provincial Police Office.
    A total of 55 police officers assigned to the Benguet PPO will undergo the two months of rigid training to sharpen their combat operation skills in the field.
    The training will focus on honing tactical skills, having right mindset, instinct, discipline, and character, and equipping them with knowledge and skills on strategies for combating insurgency, criminality and terrorism.
    Guest of honor and speaker Gov. Melchor D. Diclas of Benguet thanked the PROCor for conducting clearing operations and providing assistance to victims during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay and assured his support to programs of the PNP.

 

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Agripreneur proves progress never stops

AGRIPRENEUR -- Reygan Foronda with his giant bamboo nursery. “To those who want to engage in mushroom, bamboo, or agriculture in general, don’t lose hope,” Foronda says. “Even though challenges come– because they always will– those are necessary for us to improve ourselves and flourish in our ventures.” 

Jazzmine Quiambao

What used to be an up-and-coming mushroom business has now grown to become a large integrated farm and agricultural learning center. Talk about a huge glow up!
    Reygan Foronda, a farmer from Cabagan, Isabela, was previously featured in the Agriculture Magazine for his mushroom farm in 2020. Years later, after navigating through Covid-19 and weathering multiple typhoons, Foronda is back and proud to present the big developments of his farm, the Cassia Integrated Farm and Learning Center.
    Foronda used to be known as the proprietor of Foronda’s Mushroom Farm. In the past, his only focus were mushroom fruiting bags and crispy mushroom products. He has established himself well, but, of course, a good agripreneur knows that progress should never stop.
    During the pandemic, Foronda took every opportunity to maximize his 3.5 hectare land. His ambitions were never limited to just mushrooms, and after hard work he is now a proud farmer of a banana plantation, pomelo production, mangoes, a vegetable farm, a giant bamboo plantation and even cherry blossoms.
    In 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in his region invited him to register his farm as an agricultural learning center. Not one to say no to an opportunity, Foronda went to the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to start the process.
    An entrepreneur, a farmer and a teacher
    As someone who benefited from free training and lessons from the DA, Foronda was eager to give back.
    He was determined to turn his farm into a place of learning. He started the process in June of 2022, and it took him a month of training before he could proceed to the next step, which was the ATI validating his farm. It took him four tries before Foronda could finally get the approval he was hoping for. 
    Now an educator, Foronda’s farm was quick to have learners. “I accept [people needing] OJT, students, or even those who aren’t actual students,” Foronda said in Tagalog. “I accept those who want training on mushrooms, giant bamboo and organic [farming].”
    Many of the learners of Foronda’s farm are TESDA enrollees deployed by the institution of the region, or they could be groups from local cooperatives or associations interested in his farm methods. Regardless of their origins, learners train at his farm for approximately one month.
    Foronda continuously makes efforts to be a better educator. He enrolled in Teaching Methodology which he will begin in February 2023 in order to be able to teach the modules sent by the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) himself, and so there is no need to look outside for an assessor.
The mushroom man
Despite the expansion his farm went through, Foronda still sells mushrooms as his primary crop.
    Prior to 2020, he chose mushroom farming as a business because he needed a way to keep himself afloat while he was studying. With only an initial capital of P3,000, Foronda bought 500 mushroom fruiting bags and tended to it for a few months before he could make it available commercially. 
    Foronda earned P13,000 from the growth of the first 500 fruiting bags he purchased. A few months later, he was proud to say that he could sell 5,000 fruiting bags in a month. 
    Who would have thought that a month into 2023, Foronda already has orders for over 110,000 mushroom fruiting bags for different clients? Choosing mushroom production has proven to be Foronda’s best business move. 
    From then until now, Foronda sells his mushroo/ms at 35 pesos per bag. He started by using rice straw as a substrate, and during the pandemic, he learned to use dried banana leaves. 
    Speaking of the pandemic, Foronda went through many challenges during the two-year lockdown. 
    “The pandemic had a huge impact–as in production stopped,” Foronda said. “ Although at the farm, there was continuous making [of fruiting bags], but sending them out totally stopped.”
    The restrictions on travel had posed a big problem to Foronda’s business, and he even had to stop his processed product, the crispy mushroom production, due to difficulty sending it to the usual market of overseas pasalubong centers.
    It wasn’t until 2022 that Foronda had the opportunity to freely deliver his fruiting bags to clients, however, Typhoon Paeng, the severe tropical storm that hit the Philippines in 2022, brought disaster to Foronda’s farm.
    Over 16,000 fruiting bags were damaged, only some of the bags were saved. Many of the farm’s livestock also perished, and Foronda suffered a big loss.
    However, he was not weak in spirit. Foronda definitely did not let the challenges stop his progress. 
He continued creating fruiting bags, fixed up his farm and even revived his old crispy mushroom business. In 2023, he started the production again, and was even delivering 5000 crispy mushroom orders to Robinsons Tuguegarao during the interview. 
    Mushrooms are truly Foronda’s expertise, and he is open to teaching others who wish to make it theirs, too.
It doesn’t stop here
    It’s safe to say that Foronda is a dreamer, and has the qualities and perseverance to chase them. He’s not stopping at becoming a learning center, but he is also planning to expand to eco-tourism.
    “We’re building a swimming pool at the farm, and there is also a playground for the kids there,” Foronda said.     “Aside from the learning center, we’re going to apply to be an eco-park.”
    The playground that Foronda built as a step towards creating an eco-park. (Reygan Foronda.
Foronda said that they saw potential in the new venture because the farm was next to a highway. “It’s close, and it’s easy to access,” he said.
    They also have a 10-year-plan for the farm, which commenced in 2022. They’re planning to improve their fish ponds, create biking areas, and other leisure activities. 
“We have a lot of plans, so hopefully we can do it one by one, step by step, so we can complete everything we want to improve at the farm,” said Foronda.
He is undoubtedly grateful for the opportunities he was given and success he achieved

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15 Bontoc PWDs undergo training

By Christy Mae F. Che-es

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A total of 15 persons with disability  underwent training on beauty and nail care March 6-11 at the PWD/senior citizens center here at the municipal capitol.
    Municipal Disability Affairs Officer I Maria Codeo said the training aimed to provide essential skills and knowledge on nail care services including opportunities for self-employment to PWDs from barangays in the municipality.
    Codeo added the 15 PWDs from barangays catered to a total of 51 clients who availed of manicure and pedicure services.
    Ella May Passol of TESDA-MP gave a lecture on anatomy and structure of the nail, nail foot and hand disorders, bacteriology and sanitation; equipment and products required; organizing work area, using alternative sanitizer, cuticle treatments; removal of dry and dead skin, nail file, foot and hand massage including nail polishing.

Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr. said in a interview the training was a great opportunity for the PWDs to be equipped with new skills which could be a source of living developing PWDs’ creativity.

Municipal Administrator Arthur Leonard Odsey represented Mayor Tudlong.

The activity was initiated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Mountain Province in partnership with the Bontoc local government through the Municipal Disability Affairs Office and the provincial government.

Also present during the said activity were Executive Assistant Jocelyn Cullaling who represented Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan,Jr., TESDA-MP provincial director engineer Glenn Murphy; senior technical education and skills development specialist and community based training focal person Christine Oliquiano; CTEC Vera Villanueva from PLGU-MP; MSWDO Araceli Shane Bayanos and Jenelyn Caluza. 

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DILG holds disaster training for 46 Cordi town, city reps

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera trained 46 representatives of local government units in the region which included disaster risk reduction and management officers including planning and development coordinators.
    The training delved on “enhanced local climate change action plan (eLCCAP), ” a 9-step formulation process of enhanced LCCAP which includes low emission development (LED) strategy, adaption of climate and disaster risk assessment (CDRA) espoused by the Dept. of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD) and awareness with commitment of the Philippines to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
    “A total of 46 MDRRMOs and MPDCs from 24 LGUs in the region took part in the four-day training in the formulation of the eLCCAP. The training stressed the importance of applying vulnerability and risk assessments as a prerequisite for developing the Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs) and other LGU plans to promote equitable and sustainable development in LGUs,” said DRR-CCA focal person Ralph Kevin Brett of DILG-CAR.
    He said LCCAPs need to be created using a clear planning process and analysis that will result in focused, practical and viable actions that deliver development of their localities.
    “Climate change actions should be consistent with the development requirements and prospects of the locality and aligned with National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC) and National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP),” he said.
    Brett said NCCAP serves as guide of municipal and city governments in drafting their corresponding LLCAP where seven priorities were identified including food security, water sufficiency, ecosystem and environmental stability, human security, sustainable energy, climate-smart industries and services, and knowledge and capacity development.
    “LGUs are identified as the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change actions and most immediate government actors which directly work with the people in addressing climate change impacts and challenges that affect their lives,” he said.
    He said planning for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management are among the most important functions of local governments citing
    Implementation of Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 or the Republic Act No. 9729.
    “Planning has brought about a significant improvement in the awareness and knowledge of LGUs regarding climate change issues,” he said. -- BLM/DILG-CAR

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Bontoc disaster staff hold training

BONTOC hazard management team and trainers pose for posterity with Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr. -- Jovi Lopez

By Meilynne Shalom Ayan and Christy Mae Che-es

BONTOC, Mountain Province - The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Office of Civil Defense - Cordillera Administrative Region recently held “All hazards incident management team training here at the Samoki Valley Inn and Restaurant Bontoc.
    The training was last level of the incident command system (ICS).
    Thirteen participants of the Bontoc MDRRM Council completed the ICS.
    The first level of this ICS training course was on 2018 and 2020.
    Higher levels of this ladderized course was continued this year.
    Trainers of the AHIMT were all members of the Cordillera ICS cadres: Guadaliva Panitio of OCDCAR, TSg Jake Belino of Tactical Operations Group 1, Philippine Air Force; CG PO1 Peter Paul Ngalew of Philippine Coast Guard and Meilynne Shalom Ayan of Bontoc LGU-MDRRMO.
    MDRRM officer Johanna F. Padaen extended her gratitude to OCD-CAR under regional director COMMO Albert A. Mogol and capability and training section chief engineer Jose Ignacio Valera for their support in completion of these training courses.
    Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., extended his appreciation to said agency for their support to Bontoc MDRRMO programs and activities.
    Tudlong and Padaen congratulated ICS survivors for dedication to finish the training course.
    They urged completers to practice what they learned and guide the Bontoc MDRRMC members during activation of the ICS in the municipality.
    Meanwhile, the trainers said agencies and stakeholders will pave the way for a more resilient Bontoc.
    The following topics were discussed: Introduction to all-hazards incident management team; incident management team transition and management; IMT positions and functions, team dynamics and decision making; planning process and operational period briefing.
 

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37 Cordillera PNP officers attend investigation course

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – A total of 37 police noncommissioned officers attended the “investigation officers basic course (IOBC)” here at regional police headquarters starting Nov. 11.
    The IOBC is a 45-day course that enables PCOs to possess advanced investigative skills that would make them competent and well-rounded PCOs in detective and investigation work while possessing leadership and management skills.
    The opening ceremony was graced by the Cordillera police deputy regional director for operations Col. Ronald V. Gayo.
    Present also were chief of  Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division Col. Ranser A. Evasco; chief of Regional Special Training Unit Col. Leon P. Talleo and the chief of Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division Lt. Col. Ferdinand Oydoc.
    In his message, Gayo told police significance of continuous investigative education by participating in relevant training and workshops.
    He urged participants to acquire competence in investigating crimes.
 

 

 

 

 

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NPA-cleared villages’ folks complete TESDA training

By Liezle Basa Inigo

LAL-LO, Cagayan — Sixty-six residents from barangays of Abariongan Uneg and Calasitan, both of Sto. Niño, Cagayan, graduated from three courses offered by Technical Education Skills and Development Authority-Cagayan.

    Also, 20 trainees from barangay Abariongan Uneg successfully completed the Beauty Care Services NCII of the Livelihood Training conducted in the barangays cleared of New People’s Army insurgents on Wednesday, Nov. 9th.

    Another18 trainees from barangay Calassitan successfully completed Body Wellness Massage, while 28 students successfully completed the three-day training on theoretical driving course.

    The said trainees also completed their assessment at Aparri Polytechnic Institute with the support of 17th Infantry Battalion.

    The 17th Infantry “Do or Die” Battalion under Lt. Col Oliver C. Logan said the troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion will continue to secure and assist the developments that will sustain the gains of gov’t campaign against the communist terrorist group.

 

 

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164 Cordillera mayors attend disaster, devolution training

BAGUIO CITY – A total of 164 newly elected and re-elected municipal mayors and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officers in Cordillera took part in 3-day training last week to address disasters.
    Training program of the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera  aimed to develop strategies and planning upgrade in local governance, pandemic, crises, and full devolution in the region.
    “This three-day training is part of component 3 of the NEO program dubbed creating  roadmap for LGU development to improve their crisis management strategies, address interagency concerns, and combat insurgency,” DILG Cordillera director Araceli San Jose said.
     “This forms part of our commitment to the Cordillera Regional Development Council in campaign for regional autonomy, which is included in our selection of special topics,” she said.
    San Jose said the activity aimed to prepare participants in taking up their tasks and responsibilities as political leaders and area development managers specifically in disaster preparedness and response, managing infectious diseases, dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and other crisis and to gain valuable insights on how to harness the power of data and capitalize on multi-stakeholder convergence in promoting development in their respective LGUs through the special topics discussed by selected regional line agencies.
    “The pandemic has served as a litmus test on our leaders and it has brought out the best in some by facilitating our LGUs’ ability to adapt to the changes and develop innovative solutions in managing the impacts of the pandemic,” she said.
    San Jose recalled the 6.7 magnitude earthquake last July 27 which critically impacted the region.
    She said there was need for the LGUs to revisit and scale up their respective DRRM plans and to ensure that all their corresponding facilities were in place and ready to respond during disasters.
    “We cannot just rely on resilience" of our people. It needs to be corresponded by the local government that is ready, has a plan, and solution considering the disaster-prone topography of the Cordillera,” she said.
    San Jose also shared her optimism that this training will help build the roadmap or Cordillera LGUs’ holistic development with special emphasis on disaster-resilience and crisis management. – BLM/ DILG-CAR
 

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Tesda allots P30-M for quake-struck Abra folks

By Kaithreen Cruz

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has allocated P30 million worth of training scholarships in construction-related courses for residents in areas affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Abra on July 27, 2022.

    Training scholarship programs to be offered by Tesda include carpentry, masonry and plumbing.

    "These trainings are vital for the residents of earthquake-stricken areas. They will be able to build their own houses as well as use the skills they acquire to find jobs and earn a living," Tesda chief Danilo Cruz said over the weekend.

    Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) have started mobilizing trainers to help with repair and rehabilitation of damaged houses and conduct construction-related training in the affected areas.

    According to the agency, coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is ongoing to provide allowances to trainees undergoing scholarship courses, throughDoLE's Tupad program.

    The Tesda field office in the Cordillera Administrative Region has donated P146,400 cash, groceries, and used clothes to survivors and deployed augmentation teams to assist in clearing operations in Abra and neighboring Ifugao province, which was also affected by the earthquake.

    Cruz assured that Tesda is ready to add more funding for implementation of the scholarship programs as part of the government's collective action to support the rehabilitation of the quake-hit areas and ensure the wellbeing of the affected residents.

 

 

 

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7.5K TESDA scholarship slots for 2022 still available

By Liza Agoot 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Cordillera on Wednesday urged the public to avail of the agency's scholarship programs, as 7,497 slots out of 10,263 are still available.
    "We ask our residents to take advantage of the scholarships. Napakarami nating slots for a scholarship, mag avail sila kasi sayang ang opportunity (they take the opportunity and avail of the many slots for scholarship)," said Jimmicio Daoaten, assistant regional director of TESDA-Cordillera and the Benguet provincial director of the government's technical-vocational skills provider, on the sidelines of the inauguration and oath-taking of Benguet officials.
    The TESDA-CAR has a 2022 scholarship budget of P164,544,125, only 27 percent of which have been utilized.
Daoaten said TESDA offers scholarships for different short-term trade skills and a diploma program pathway to a Baccalaureate degree.
    Scholars can avail the training for work program (TWSP), special training employment program (STEP), private education student fund assistance (PESFA), rice extension services program (RESP), "Tsuper Iskolar," Tulong trabaho scholarship program (TTSP)
    The official added that aside from free education that covers the laboratory supplies, a scholar also gets insurance coverage for at least one year, a daily stipend of P160, an internet allowance, book allowance, and a tool kit that can be used to start up a livelihood activity.
    Due to the pandemic, an allowance for personal protective equipment is also provided to a scholar.
    He added that the grantee also gets a free competency assessment fee for the national certification that is recognized internationally. -- PNA

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Tesda offers free vocational trainings in Benguet towns

By Ferlyn Eslao

KAPANGAN, Benguet – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering free vocational trainings and many trainees have gone on to start and manage successful businesses.
    In this town, despite the pandemic, students of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under its bread and pastry production and driving national certificate NC2 programs finished their training here and are set for assessment.
    According to Jaime Calatan, information officer, TESDA Kapangan is offering six registered programs.
    These include Carpentry NC2, Masonry NC1 and NC2, BPP NC2, Driving NC2, Contract Tracing Level 1, and Organic Agriculture Practice (OAP).
    Students are trained for 39 days for carpentry, 27 days for masonry NC1, 33 days for masonry NC2, 18 days for BBP, 15 days for driving and contract tracing, and 29 days for OAP.
    “As of now, Masonry NC1 and NC2 will follow. Enrollment is ongoing wherein there are 15 slots allotted for it,” he added.
    Calatan said anyone can enroll in TESDA programs as long as he or she is 18 years old and a high school graduate.
    The student undergoes three stages of assessment. First, a written exam, followed by an oral interview and practical or actual demo. 
    TESDA helped a lot of people, Calatan said.
    For example, Mitchel Capulo, one of TESDA graduates, said she was grateful for the opportunity. “Man-iyaman ak iman tan ado di naadal ko ay skills et nay maiap-apply ko sin business ko. Nay kaasi na et ado eman di order et nay makaganganansya ak eman."
    Through the training, she was able to build her own booming business which is the The Kayo Man Café located at Cayapes, Kapangan.
    In addition to the said programs, there is an ongoing construction of a TESDA Provincial Training Center for Benguet here which started on Feb. 11, 2021 which will cater the 13 municipalities of Benguet.
    On the other hand, TESDA is continuously offering various programs in different areas in the province.
    Itogon is reportedly offering motorcade repair and maintenance, masonry and driving NC2.
In Bakun, there are BBP and community-based training as well as organic agriculture production NC2 and cosmic farm in La Trinidad.
    "As for the other municipalities, the local government unit can coordinate with TESDA so that they can go and provide training for them or they can come to Kapangan to enroll," Calatan added.
    There are many available courses that anyone can choose.
    Calatan said students who are interested can visit and inquire to their office at Lomon, Paykek Kapangan Mondays to Fridays.

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