CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Around 114 Tech-voc scholars graduated from their respective courses under the ‘Sugbo Kahanas Skills Development Program’ implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Provincial Government of Cebu.
In the graduation ceremony held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall on Nov. 25, the graduates received starter toolkits, a cash allowance worth P3,000 to P9,000 a TESDA national certificate, and a certificate of training.
They are part of the 3,431 total number of graduates in Season 3 of the said program, which has 3,599 enrolled scholars.
Ivy Jane Z. Amosa, one of the graduates, expressed her gratitude to TESDA and the governor for the opportunity given to her.
“Akong gibati karon nga nakaapil ko aning Subo Kahanas kay nalipay og nagpasalamat ko sa atong gobernador nga Gwen Garcia nga nihatag siyag opportunity namu labi na ang mga gusto nga moapil ani nga training,” said Amosa.
(I’m happy now that I was able to participate in this Sugbo Kahanas because I was happy, and I thanked our governor, Gwen Garcia, for giving this kind of opportunity, especially for those who want to participate in this training.)
“Akong plano kay massage therapist man ko sauna then ni eskwela ko ani aron makakuha ko og NC II then akong plano karon kay mangita ko og trabaho para sakong anak. Message nako ni Governor Gwen Garcia nga unta naa pay daghan siya nga matabangan aning Sugbo Kahanas,” she added.
(My plan is to be a massage therapist, so I grabbed the opportunity to acquire an NC II certificate. Then my plan now is to find a job for my son. Thank you again to Governor Gwen Garcia that I hope that the ‘Sugbo Kahanas’ will help more Cebuanos.)
TESDA Director General Sec. Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez urged the graduates to continue seeking knowledge, embrace innovation, and maximize their national certificate to easily gain employment opportunities.
“Make good use of the national certificate that has been given to you. The skills you have acquired through Sugbo Kahanas are not just vehicles for employment but keys that unlock a world of possibilities for yourselves as individuals but for your families and communities as well,” Benitez said.
He said their agency remains committed to providing accessible and quality skills training to all Cebuanos.
“TESDA reaffirms its commitment to providing accessible and quality skills training to all Cebuanos. Under my watch, we hope to provide more assistance to the local government as part of strengthening program convergence between TESDA and LGUs as we hope to see many, many more Sugbo Kahanas being replicated in other LGUs,” he said.
The graduates underwent 120 hours of skills training under different TESDA programs and courses offered by the Sugbo Kahanas program.
These courses are Bread and Pastry NCII, Hilot Wellness Massage NC II, Computer System Servicing NC II, Dressmaking NC II, Driving NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TESDA and Cebu Provincial Government to renew their partnership in implementing the ‘Sugbo Kahanas Skills Development Program’ in the province of Cebu.
The Sugbo Kahanas Skills Development Program is a P100-million joint partnership program between the Cebu province and TESDA that aims to develop a province-wide skills training program for Cebuanos.
The program has helped a total of 11,561 graduates since its implementation. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
