14 January 2021

TAGUIG CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) successfully concluded the first Inter-Regional Virtual Skills Competition in the country with the Regions IV-A, IX, and the National Capital Region held last December 21-23, 2020.

The skill areas competed by the said regions were the IT Software Solutions for Business (ITSSB) for TESDA NCR-CAMANAVA and TESDA Region IX; Graphic Design Technology for TESDA Region IX; and Web Technologies for TESDA Region IVA.

In his message during the closing ceremony of the event held today, January 14, 2021, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña congratulated all the winners and awardees, as well as the organizers led by WorldSkills Philippines National Technical Committee Co-Chairperson, Skills Competition Director, and TESDA Deputy Director General for Operations Lina Sarmiento and Vice-Chairperson and TESDA-IVA Regional Director Toni June Tamayo.

"We know that the coronavirus pandemic has caused the cancellation of the International Skills Competitions. The quarantine and mobility restrictions we continue to face, also led us to cancel our face-to-face competitions. But the challenges brought about by this pandemic did not stop us to continue our mandate. Instead, we have used this time as an opportunity to develop and innovate,” he said.

He further noted that through competitions, TESDA is giving TVET graduates not only the chance to showcase their skills but more importantly, they are given the chance to meet world-class standards in skills demonstration.

For the ITSSB competition in NCR, Gabriel Gaters won the gold medal; while both Jhon Philip Guiang and Michael Angelo Galvez were bronze medalists. In Region IX, Arnold Arnesto, Jr. won the gold medal; John Heri Contrivida won the silver medal; and Jomlowe Andres Gaco got the bronze medal.

In the Graphics Design Technology Competition also held in Region IX, Angelou Tuting won the gold medal; Jizabelle Tubang got the silver medal; and Romel Jhun Salac won the bronze medal.

While in Web Technologies Competition held in Region IVA, Edward Jion Andal, won the gold medal; Jericho Rivera won the silver medal; and Ivan Louise Delgado got the bronze medal.

Section 30 of the Republic Act 7796 (The TESDA Act of 1994) states that TESDA, with the active participation of private industries, shall organize annual skills Olympics to promote quality skills development in the country and the view of participating in International Skills Competitions.

However, the pandemic that the world is currently facing has disrupted most of the countries’ routine activities, including the conduct of skills competitions, which led to Virtual Skills Competition as an alternative to push through the event. ###