TESDA opts for a simpler 16th anniversary celebration

MANILA, Philippines - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Joel Villanueva has opted for a simpler and less costly way to celebrate the agency’s 16th anniversary.

Villanueva said the simple festivity is in line with President Aquino’s austerity measures.     

The budget for last year’s anniversary celebration cost around P10 million, but this time, Villanueva said TESDA was able to save P2 million.

“TESDA anniversaries, under my watch, will be fittingly celebrated the ‘new’ (TESDA) way — austere but meaningful celebrations,” Villanueva said. He said the event would be highlighted by select and focused activities for our customers — schools and training centers, students and trainees, partners in government and industry.

For the first time also, TESDA included in its anniversary celebration an outreach activity called “TESDA Serbisyo Barangay”. The agency will visit Barangay Napindan, said to be the poorest community in Taguig City, to distribute health kits to 150 children 7 to 8 years old, and provide free massage and haircut for their mothers.

The institutional awarding ceremonies for the Kabalikat Award for outstanding TESDA partners and their best practices in the development of manpower in terms of skills, abilities, work attitudes, and values was held yesterday with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa as guest speaker.

The week-long founding anniversary celebration also includes a sportsfest; awarding of loyal and model TESDA employees, where there will be 719 recipients nationwide; Family Health Day/Employees’ Day; search for Idols, and Anniversary King and Queen; as well as skills competition, demonstration, and seminars, among many others.