125 city scholars graduate, gain TESDA certificates

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed his advocacy for education and technical skills development during the recently concluded graduation ceremony of 125 scholars from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the Barangay Babag Gym in Cebu City.

The training program, conducted in partnership with Call Center Academy, is designed to equip scholars with industry-relevant competencies—particularly for the rapidly expanding Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.

In a video message, Go highlighted the significance of technical-vocational education in improving lives and promoting inclusive economic growth.

“Education and skills training provide a pathway to success, especially in industries like the BPO sector where demand for skilled professionals continues to grow,” he said.

During the ceremony, the scholars received food packs, snacks, shirts, and sports equipment, such as basketballs and volleyballs from the senator’s Malasakit Team.

They also received their respective certificate fromTESDA, which served as their diploma in applying for a local or foreign job.

Go thanked TESDA and its partners for their commitment in uplifting Filipinos through skills training.

Meanwhile, as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, nGrab Philippines took an active role in this year’s Brigada Eskwela initiative in Cebu City by donating essential learning resources to three schools in Barangay Lahug; Lahug Elementary School, Lahug Night High School, and Lahug Day Care Centers.

The annual Brigada Eskwela program, led this year in Cebu City by incoming Mayor Nestor Archival, mobilized communities to prepare public schools for class reopening through cleanup and rehabilitation efforts.

Donations included hundreds of school supply kits, laptops  with backpacks for students, handwashing stations to improve hygiene and sanitation.

Archival lauded the collaboration, describing it as a model of public-private synergy.

“Thankful to Grab Philippines for supporting Brigada Eskwela 2025 at Lahug Elementary and High School. With their generous sponsorship of laptops and school supplies — and the unwavering support of our dedicated teachers and volunteers — we are working together to create a better learning environment for our students,” Archival said in a statement.

Grab Philippines Vice President for Cities CJ Lacsican emphasized the company’s vision to uplift communities through education.

“At Grab, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for unlocking economic opportunity and progress. Through this partnership with Cebu City LGU, Barangay Lahug, and DepEd, we aim to co-create safe learning environments and empower more young Cebuanos to become high-performing learners,” Lacsican said.

Grab volunteers also helped repaint three classrooms and restored hundreds of student chairs to help prepare the schools for the new academic year.