TESDA CHIEF VISITS ZAPANTA VALLEY

Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday visited Sitio Zapanta Valley in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. He is the first TESDA secretary to have visited the area which is formerly known as a war zone in the province. In his keynote

By Robert E. Roperos speech, the secretary emphasized the importance of the whole-of-government approach, which aimed to help the community to achieve long-lasting peace and development. Sec. Lapeña also emphasized that the government is doing everything to end war and achieve long-lasting peace and development and this is also attuned to what the local residents of Sitio Zapanta Valley want. “For this reason, we need to go handin-hand… we need to help each other. The government is always here to listen to your request, that is why memberagencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster

(PRLEC) are here to bring the government services closer to you,” Sec. Lapeña explained in Tagalog dialect. The TESDA chief also stressed that in as far as skills training is concerned, the agency is always committed to provide trainings to the community and transform the lives of every individual. “Kung kailangan n’yo ng trainings, magsabi lang po kayo dahil handa po ang aming ahensya na kayo ay isanay upang baguhin ang inyong pamumuhay (If you need trainings, just inform us because our agency is ready to train you and transform your lives),” he said. Sec. Lapeña graced the ground-breaking ceremony of the Zapanta Valley Enterprise Center and visited the site where the Zapanta Valley AgriTourism Enterprise Village will be established. He also awarded Certificates of Training Completion to graduates of different skills trainings in Buko Halo-halo (36 graduates); Perform Basic Haircutting (15 graduates); Perform Pedicure (26 graduates); Perform Manicure (26 graduates); Small Engine – Service Motorcycle (33 graduates); and Prepare Bakery Products (25 graduates). Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte through the Provincial Agriculture Office has spearheaded the conduct of Training in Vegetables and Farming as a Business Management Concept with 25 graduates who also received training certificates from Sec. Lapeña. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)