Tesda PRLEC Confirms Masonry Graduates, Turns Over Completed Solar Dryer

Twenty-three (23) graduates of Training Cum-Production Masonry NC-I were confirmed by the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict – Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (TF ELCAC-PRLEC) headed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in a simple ceremony held yesterday September 3, 2020 at Purok 3, Barangay Ocapan, San Miguel Zamboanga del Sur.

TESDA ZDS and Region IX also turned over the completed solar dryer to the people of Barangay Ocapan, San Miguel, ZDS in the said ceremony.

In his welcome address, TESDA-IX Regional Director Dan Navarro acknowledged the sacrifice of the TESDA scholars in the completion of the solar dryer.

“The little fund we gave are incomparable to the sacrifices of these scholars. Without their selfless sacrifice and interest, this project would not have been possible,” said RD Navarro.

San Miguel MTF-ELCAC Chairperson and Mayor Hon. Angelito Martinez II in his acceptance message also congratulated the TESDA scholars for their dedication and perseverance to complete the solar dryer.

“With this [solar dryer] and what you have accomplished, you contributed to address the needs of your community,” Mayor Martinez told the graduates.

Meanwhile, 53rd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera in his message said that the completion of the solar dryer and the graduation of the TESDA scholars will significantly contribute to the ending of local communist armed conflict in San Miguel town.

“We are now one step closer to ending local communist armed conflict in San Miguel, because this program by TESDA aims to address the issues long exploited by the Communist Terrorist Groups against our brothers and sisters here in the municipality,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

The said solar dryer will be utilized by the residents of Barangay Ocapan for their agriculture production. It will enable the residents harvest their produce in large quantities with less risk of contamination. In turn, the farmers will be able to market their produce in less time, translating to a higher income compared to one without a solar dryer.

Also present in the said ceremony were Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Alan Bacatan; PRLEC Coordinator Mr. Raymond Gregg Pina; Masonry NC-I Trainer and Expert Mr. Gregorio Flores; and Barangay Ocapan PRLEC Committee Members.