Solon gives P4.5M for skills training

Fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano recently appropriated a total of P4.5 million for skills training at the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority.

This appropriation was stated in the Memorandum of Agreement signed at the Grand Convention Center on Friday by Durano himself, and TESDA officials, regional director Rosana Urdaneta and provincial director Buenafe Sta. Rita. Local government officials of the district witnessed the event.

Durano committed in the MOA the setting aside of P1.5 million yearly, over a 3-year period, from his priority development assistance fund to finance the TESDA’s Invigorating Constituents Assistance in Reinforcing Employment Program, or I-CARE.

Durano said he was happy to participate in the program because this eases up the problems of local governments on unemployment and violence among youths.

TESDA, for its part, will allocate a total of P10.5 million, or P3.5 million yearly, as counterpart fund for the scholarship programs.

Among the courses to be offered are caregiving, english proficiency, cooking, automotive, welding, call center and medical transcription programs, Urdaneta said.

Under the program, P1 million is allocated for the ladderized program of TESDA and Commission on Higher Education. Another million will be for the caregiver course.

At least 272 scholars were already identified for the shielded metal arc welding course, 42 of them are from Danao City, and 25 scholars each from Compostela, Liloan, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, and Borbon. The towns of Poro, San Francisco, Tudela, and Pilar will also have 20 scholars each for welding.

Durano said the mayors of the towns have been tasked to identify who will be their scholars for the program. — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE