16 January 2021
TAGUIG CITY - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña congratulated today the Poverty Reduction and Livelihood Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as it continues to work hard in developing far-flung communities in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).

It was after the TESDA-led PRLEC trained 100 Mangyans in Sitio Proper, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro with Solar Light Assembly and Installation and provided them with enough facilities to light up their own community. The residents of the barangay are now benefiting from the solar lights.

Lapeña noted that TESDA, with its partner agencies in PRLEC and with the support of the local government units, have been working hard together to develop far-flung communities which are in most need of government services.

"This is what we do in PRLEC. We talk to the locals and ask what they need in order to improve their living conditions. Together with our partner-agencies, we provide the needed services and assistance until the community develops.  At the same time, we earn back their trust in the government," he said.

Headed by TESDA-IV B, PRLEC-MIMAROPA launched the Sanayang Pailaw sa Daan last August 14, 2020, together with the Municipal Government of Mansalay, the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, and other partners in Sitio Proper, Barangay Panaytayan.

Meanwhile, another 50 individuals were trained in Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing (MCES) as the passenger single motorcycle or "habal-habal" is the primary mode of transportation going to the said community.

The project continues to light up all far-flung communities in the region by providing free skills training which lasts for seven days, with 160 pesos daily allowance, 500 pesos of health allowance, 500 pesos of Modular/Internet allowance, a free GSIS Accident Insurance, and free entrepreneurship training provided by the Department of Trade and Industry.

With its successful implementation, Sanayang Pailaw sa Daan was adapted by the Philippine Army and implemented it nationwide training thousands of beneficiaries in their different areas of responsibility.

Meanwhile, Lapeña attended yesterday the groundbreaking ceremony of a TESDA Provincial Training Center in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and also visited other TESDA Offices in the region. ###