Ex-rebels to train peers under Tesda

By Mark Djeron C. Tumabao

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec. Isidro Lapeña said former rebels turned graduates of their skills trainings will train new returnees.
    This, according to him, is one of the best ways to encourage rebels still active with the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to return to the folds of the  law.
    “We continue to provide assistance to former rebels, returnees and we do this in conjunction with the military,” said Lapeña.
    “The good thing about tapping former rebels as trainers of former rebels is that they can communicate better because they speak their mother tongue,” he added.
    Employing former rebels as trainers of the agency is TESDA’s new direction, Lapeña said.
    While at present, there are no former rebels employed as either job order or COS employee, the secretary bared that they are welcome to apply as long as they meet minimum requirements of the position they are applying for. – PIA Region 2