ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Zamboanga City-Isabela City District Office (ZCICDO) recently distributed a Training Support Fund to 81 scholars pursuing a three-year Diploma in Nursing Services and Management Technology at Southern City Colleges under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).
One of its beneficiaries, Maricris Banagua Barcelona, aged 34, a housewife and a mom to 3 children is grateful to TESDA for allowing her to enroll in her dream course.
“Before ako nagkaanak, nung 2005, first choice ko talaga ang course na nursing pero hindi kaya ng mother ko kasi tatlo kami magkapatid na nasa college. Nung nalaman ko na nag offer si TESDA ng diploma in nursing, kinuha ko agad ang opportunity kasi iyon talaga ang first choice ko noon, maging nursing student,” Barcelona said.
Maricris Barcelona during her demonstration in school.
(Before I had a child, in 2005, my first choice was the nursing course, but my mother couldn’t afford it because we have three siblings who are in college. When I found out that TESDA is offering a diploma in nursing, I immediately grabbed the opportunity because that was my first choice before becoming a nursing student.)
The UAQTEA aims to provide equitable access to quality higher education for Filipinos. This act ensures that students from underprivileged backgrounds have the opportunity to access higher education and develop the skills necessary to make a meaningful contribution to society. It addresses the financial burden of tuition fees, miscellaneous expenses, and other related costs.
It gives free tuition worth more than P40,000, book allowances worth P5,000, and daily allowances of P100 for deserving beneficiaries, a total of P9,000 per semester for each student.
Barcelona is going to start her internship next year, during her last semester in school. She plans to work at a local hospital to gain more experience after the internship. She also intends to take the assessment required to obtain her National Certificate II (NC2).
“Goal ko kapag matapos next year, target ko makakuha ng NC2 mula sa TESDA. Gagamitin ko ito para makapag-abroad at magkaroon kami ng pamilya ko ng bahay at lupa soon,” she said.
(My goal after finishing [my course] next year is to get NC2 from TESDA. I will use it to go abroad, so that my family and I may acquire our own house and lot, soon.)
The 81 scholars in Zamboanga City have embarked on a three-year journey to obtain their Diploma in Nursing Services and Management Technology. This course equips them with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in the healthcare industry. It’s a program designed to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals, offering a pathway to a stable and rewarding career.
TESDA District Director Alan T. Bacatan expressed his enthusiasm for the program, saying, “We are committed to empowering these students to reach their full potential. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to providing quality education to all, irrespective of their economic background.”
TESDA’s dedication to promoting accessible, quality education through UAQTEA continues to create opportunities for Filipinos to build a better future for themselves and their communities. (RVC/CCP/PIA9)
