SUSTAINMENT INITIATIVE: Friends Rescued Graduate from TESDA Trainings

64 Friends Rescued (FRs) of the ZDS PTF ELCAC’s Project Good Life graduated from various trainings offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in a momentous Closing Ceremony held today, February 24, 2023, at 53IB Headquarters, Camp Major David Sabido, Poblacion, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

20 FRs successfully completed Carpentry NC II, another 20 completed Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, and 24 graduated from Driving NC II.

53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Terence P Ylanan expressed his gratitude to TESDA Region IX Regional Director Dan M Navarro; TESDA Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Miraluna N. Baje-Lopez; Provincial Training Center – Pagadian Administrator Juancho Lazo; and, the ZDS LGU headed by Gov. Victor Yu for providing the Friends Rescued with the scholarship grant.

TESDA-IX Regional Director Dan M. Navarro in his message also thanked Lt. Col. Ylanan for the hard work of the Battalion to help the FRs in their transition into the mainstream society.

Meanwhile, TESDA-ZDS Provincial Director Miraluna N. Baje-Lopez encouraged the FRs to maintain high levels of competence and stay committed to improve their quality of life.

Mavic Abuhan, one of the FR graduates, expressed her gratitude to the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for continuously equipping them with skills they need to have sustainable employment and livelihood.

Also present during the closing ceremony were Guipos vice mayor Merlyn Rabe representing Guipos mayor Vicente Cajeta; Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Ermelina Bacatan and Mr. Moshe Briones; and, other TESD specialist and staff.