TESDA to train soldiers, remote communities

February 21, 2024

To reinforce its efforts to empower more Filipinos with employable skills, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has partnered with the Philippine Army (PA) to provide tech-voc training to indigenous people (IPs), former rebels, and other members of the marginalized sector.

This after TESDA Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu and PA Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the PA Headquarters in Taguig City last February 12.

In his message, Secretary Mangudadatu emphasized the important role of the PA and other uniformed personnel in providing skills training to residents of communities in far-flung areas and other members of the marginalized sector.

“TESDA is very grateful for the contributions of the Philippine Army and other government agencies. As a result, our training programs have reached even more of our kababayans,” the Secretary said.

TESDA’s partnership with the PA aims to provide upskilling and lifelong learning programs to PA personnel through technical vocational education and training (TVET) which includes specialized/specific qualifications vital to the execution of their jobs, such as the conduct of community-based training for IPs, former rebels, and residents in remote communities.

Under the MOU, TESDA will provide free skills training, assessment, and issue certifications to qualified Army personnel who have undergone skills training. In turn, the trained Army personnel will assist TESDA in the conduct of skills training programs for IPs, former rebels, and residents of far-flung communities in the country.

Meanwhile, Secretary Mangudadatu officially received his promotion to the rank of Colonel as a reservist of the Philippine Army during the Donning of Ranks Ceremony held at Fort Bonifacio after which the MOU signing was held.

“In my vision, we should be a force that thrives in the face of changing obstacles that never stops adapting. Not only should we be a light of strength during times of conflict, but we should also serve as representatives of stability and ambassadors of peace,” Secretary Mangudadatu emphasized during his message.

“Together, we shall cultivate a place that values the unique experiences, skills, and knowledge that each member of our team brings to the table, and create an environment that shall also promote resilience and inspire innovation,” he added.

Present during the event were TESDA Deputy Directors General Rosanna Urdaneta, Aniceto Bertiz III, and Vidal Villanueva III, and other TESDA and PA officials. The Secretary’s spouse, Maguindanao del Sur Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, and other members of his family likewise attended the ceremony.

It can be recalled that since 2020, TESDA and uniformed services such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of National Defense (DND) have a longstanding partnership to bring community-based training to remote areas of the archipelago.

TESDA has so far trained 53,117 uniformed personnel from 2021 to 2023.