Rep. Duterte offers new scholarship opportunities

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte is offering new scholarship opportunities for jobseekers through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA’s) the Training for Work Scholarship Program.

The TWSP aims to continue filling up the skills gaps and job requirements of priority industries and sectors with high employment demand, improving the reach of quality TVET to the grassroots.

In a press statement shared with the media on Monday, Rep. Pulong’s office is now accepting applicants for the said program with the following qualifications: must be 18 years old at the time the scholarship finishes the TESDA’s training program, and must be a high school graduate.

The following scholarship programs that are being offered are Automotive Servicing NC I, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC I, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Health Care Services NC II, Computer Systems Servicing NC II, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II.

The said courses are available at the following institutions: Davao Institute of Technical Education, Inc, Toyozu Technical School Foundaton, Inc, Efficio Training, Inc, St. Patrick Math-Sci School, Inc, and Core

Institute of Technology, Inc. Rep. Pulong said TESDA is helping Filipinos upgrade and relearn. He added that to keep up and create graduates with the necessary skills, TESDA needs constantly improve its programs and services.

Meanwhile, TESDA encourages technical-vocational institutions to offer higher qualification programs that meet the requirements of industry demand. It supports the government’s rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

Interested applicants may apply for the grant at the First Congressional District Office located at the corner of Ponciano and Palma Gil streets. Look for Mr. Loreto G. Masaglang. The applicants may also contact the following numbers: 09667510792 for Globe and 09683022613 for Smart.

Education is among the top priority programs of Rep. Pulong. His office has distributed educational assistance to over a thousand college students, particularly those students whose parents are in the lower-income bracket.

Nearly 3,000 security personnel deployed in Davao for Holy Week

At least 2,990 security personnel will be deployed to churches, terminals, and other places of convergence starting Monday in the Davao region to ensure a peaceful and safe observance of Holy Week, Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao said on Saturday.

Bishop Valles tells devotees to exercise precautions during Holy Week observance

Archbishop of Davao Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles on Monday encouraged devotees to exercise precautions in attending masses during the Lenten season.

“Karon normal na with all the precautions, we still are very careful, encouraged although optional ang face masks pero ang tigulang mag face mask. Back to normal na ang atong mindset karon,” he said in an interview on the sideline of Kapihan sa PIA at Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) on Monday.

He also said that online masses or live streaming of masses are only for those who cannot go to church.

“Dili pareho sauna tungod sa restrictions focus ang online. Ang online gitugot na lang sa mga those who cannot attend, minimal lang gyud,” he said.

He also said that various churches in Davao City have posted mass schedules for the Holy Week.

Valles officiated a special Holy Week Mass for the Davao media organized by DLPC.

Meanwhile, Valles presided over the celebration of Palm Sunday on April 2, 2023, at the Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity in front of the San Pedro Cathedral.

By Maya M. Padillo

Gultiano told MindaNews that the deployment will consist of 2,000 personnel from the PRO-Davao, with reinforcement from law enforcement agencies such as 190 personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Armed Forces of the Philippines and additional 800 force multipliers from the advocacy group of PRO-Davao.

She added that these personnel will be deployed to 267 churches, 109 thoroughfares, 70 terminals, 100 commercial areas, and other places of convergence around the region.

She said PRO-Davao will do its best to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the Lent- en season, particularly the safety of the commuters, churchgoers, and tourists visiting the region next week.

In Davao City, Police major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said police personnel are ready to secure the churches as early as Palm Sunday as the security sector anticipates droves of devotees who will attend the Holy Eucharistic masses.

She said people should expect stricter enforcement of security measures during the Holy Week processions and other activities that would draw in huge crowds in churches in the city.

“The churches are coordinating with their respective police stations to prepare deployment of security personnel,” she said.

Aside from churches, she said the police are also implementing strict security measures in terminals, tourist spots, and even malls in the city. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)