The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have joined forces to uplift the lives of Filipino families through the agency's skills training on family enterprise.

Based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between TESDA and the CBCP last July 7, those who will benefit from the skills training on family enterprise are members of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC). They will be taught on how to promote and grow their business. 

Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong represented TESDA while Most Rev. Socrates Villegas of CBCP during the MOA signing. It was also witnessed by officials from both groups.

Composed of 7-8 families, the CBCP formed the Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities which will help them get closer to the church then uplift their livelihood.

Through the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) of TESDA, participants would be given the chance to form a BEC and provide skills training depending on the course that they have chosen.

In line with this, the program dubbed “Skills Development Towards Family Enterprises” will be launched in Cagayan de Oro on July 19.

One of the suggested family enterprises was the setting up of carinderia in which members are expected to promote their business and help it grow.

The TESDA also said that participants to the program will receive a National Certificate (NC) after they have completed the skills training which is free of charge.