PTC-Davao holds TESDA Technicians Fair ‘23

As the Provincial Training Center–Davao takes on social responsibility and upskilling the Filipino workforce, the institution has launched a capability building for twenty-five (25) members of Pinoy Technicians Davao Chapter to enhance their skills in Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing (EPAS). The center provides free skills training and assessment to help them get a National Certificate in EPAS NC II.

PTC–Davao identifies the twenty-five beneficiaries to undergo the EPAS NC II training for thirty-three (33) days to equip them with the fundamental and advanced knowledge in the qualification and prepare them for the institutional and national assessment, respectively. 

To further support their training, the center organized an event dubbed “TESDA Technicians Fair ‘23” in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Davao City Field Office to provide a lecture on business name registration and entrepreneurship seminar. We wanted to assist them in establishing their own start-up business, a cellphone and electronics repair shop because most of them are self-employed. 

Ms. Rea May V. Villota, Senior Business Counselor of DTI - Davao City Field Office conducted an entrepreneurship forum entitled Entrepreneurial Mind Setting to 25 Pinoy Technicians Davao Chapter, Trainees of EPAS NC II, on its third day of staging the TESDA Technicians Fair ’23 event held at the Provincial Training Center–Davao.

She discussed the different programs and services offered by the DTI to scale up small businesses. She emphasized the importance of knowledge about consumers' and business owners' rights. Then, she presented the step-by-step process for business name registration.

This activity aimed to assist the Pinoy Technicians in using the TESDA-acquired skills to launch a business. With the support of the specialized incubation and acceleration programs provided by the agency, entrepreneurs can explore business expansion, financing, and other strategic options.

She encouraged every aspiring entrepreneur to participate in the formal economy, as the MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy.

During the 4-day event, from May 23 – 26, the trainees themselves offer free cellphone repairs to TESDA employees. Also, they will display cellphone parts and accessories.

FROM A TAINTED SHIRT TO AN ANGLE GRINDER: Mary’s Untold Story!

A mother, fighter, worker, and simple citizen who is full of hope—who is she? She is Mary Joy C. Dorias, PTC–Davao Trainer in SMAW NC I, SMAW NC II, and EIM NCII, and this is her story. 

A 35-year-old woman currently residing in Brgy. Sto. Niño Tugbok District Davao City. Often called Joy, but her name does not match her feelings toward her life. Joy did not finish her studies because of life's circumstances. She was only 18 when she got pregnant with her first child and kept it from her parents out of fear and guilt. Became a single mother when she separated from the father of her three children. Her eldest is a girl, her second child is a boy, and the youngest is a girl. Even if she is not the biological mother of her third child, she treats her as if she was her own. 

Mary is a victim of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse from her ex-partner. She felt caged and miserable and constantly lived in fear, as her ex-partner was also a drug abuser. She dealt with and suffered for almost two years of her life, clinging to the belief that she hoped to have a complete family with her children. Until she was strong enough to let go of her abusive partner, no matter how painful it was. 

At some point, she thought that her suffering would end there. Life tested her. In 2016, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma, a common thyroid cancer. From that moment on, she thought life was punishing her; even questioned God about why out of millions of privileged people who could afford treatment, it was given to her. She prayed, begged, and cried inside the church and asked God for a sign that if she was meant to live; expenses for her medication would be freely given to her. She asked for medical assistance from Lingap Services. All of her treatments, medications, and thyroidectomy were all handled by Lingap. She never lost hope; she fought and survived! According to her, miracles happen. 

When Mary was introduced to TESDA, it changed her life. Before training, she worked as a morning construction worker and an evening student. She enrolled in TESDA because she was interested in acquiring new skills. She completed her Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II at the Provincial Training Center–Davao, and her Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II at the Endonela Institute of Technology Foundation Inc. Further, she had her Trainer’s Methodology ™ at Marians Technical Institute.  

In 2018, she applied as an SMAW NC II trainer at the Provincial Training Center - Davao, but she wasn’t accepted. But that hasn’t stopped her from achieving her goals and the drive that she had to be one of the women welders. She inquired again in 2019 but was still rejected. She got a job instead at the JFS Electrical Company. Finally, in 2020, she received a call from PTC-Davao informing her that the center needs an on-call trainer to conduct community-based training in SMAW NC II in Barangay Wines, Baguio District; she immediately grabbed the opportunity after waiting for several years.

Because of her outstanding performance, she became a job order trainer at the Provincial Training Center - Davao until this day and is known as one of the "Babaeng Trainers of Welding." Aside from handling skills training for SMAW NC I and SMAW NC II, she also holds skills training for EIM NC II. In addition, she completed the training on Region XI Multiplier Training of Trainers in Work Readiness on 21st Century Skills in August 2021.

In keeping with the celebration of Women's Month, let's not forget to recognize the accomplishments of women and raise awareness about domestic violence and other challenges that women confront daily. She even compared herself to a tainted shirt before, as for her "Pag ang damit ay sobrang dumi ay madaling itapon, ipamigay at palitan." But now she is a grinder: "Na kahit anong dumi ay malilinis at malilinis parin," and that is her untold story. 

Coordination Meeting for the Completion of TESDA Training Center at Sitio Ladian

A coordination meeting took place on March 20, 2023 at the Ancestral Domain Management Office in Sitio Ladian, Brgy. Marilog Proper, Marilog District, Davao City. Marilog Proper, Marilog District, Davao City. This gathering brought together key stakeholders from TESDA Provincial Training Center–Davao (PTC-Davao), TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School (WNAS), TESDA Regional Training Center–Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC), the 534 Engineering and Construction Brigade (534 ECB PA) and 27th Infantry Battalion (27IB PA) of the Philippine Army, Obu-Manuvo Unified Ancestral Domain Tribal Council of Elders/Leaders, Inc. (OMUADTCELI), and the Ancestral Domain Management Office (ADMO).

The meeting was spearheaded by Engr. Melanie M. Domingo, the Acting Center Administrator of PTC-Davao and Vocational School Administrator of TESDA–WNAS. She was joined by Mahabbok Luis A. Lambac Sr., the Chairman of OMUADTCELI and Head of ADMO, CPT. Rodel G. Villanueva from the 534 ECB PA, 1LT. Kevin Carlo Blanker, the Bravo Company Commander of the 27IB PA, Gil D. Gonzales, the Supervising TESD Specialist from RTC–KPVTC, and Engr. Sammy S. Cameros, the Supervising TESD Specialist from TESDA–WNAS.

The TESDA XI Acting Regional Director Rey M. Cueva issued Memorandum No. 03-756, series of 2023, on March 17, 2023, which convened the meeting. The directive called for the TTI Administrators of PTC–Davao, TESDA–WNAS, and RTC–KPVTC to discuss the convergence on completing the building construction of the TESDA Agro-Industrial Training Center at Sitio Ladian through skills training and assessment.

This collaborative effort aims to provide improved facilities and expand the range of skill training programs available to the Indigenous People in the area, ultimately creating new avenues for skill development and employment opportunities for the local community.

Coordination Meeting with the 534 Engineering Construction Battalion for the implementation of Skills Training at Sitio Ladian

On March 17, 2023, the Provincial Training Center Davao (PTC-Davao) convened a crucial coordination meeting to advance construction skills training programs. The meeting, spearheaded by Acting Center Administrator Engr. Melanie Domingo brought together key persons to strategize the implementation of these critical initiatives.

Present during the meeting were Niel Ven Bacalangco, and Jonathan D. Samillano from PTC-Davao, Engr. Sammy S. Cameros and Nickle S. Maleficio from TESDA-WNAS as well as a team of uniformed personnel from the 534 Engineering Construction Battalion (534 ECB) of the Philippine Army, led by CPT Rodel G. Villanueva.

The meeting centered on the completion of the Training Center at Sitio Ladian, a project that holds immense significance for the Indigenous People in the area. By providing improved facilities and expanding the range of skill training programs, the center aims to create new opportunities for skill development and employment.

This initiative aligns with TESDA's commitment to inclusive education and community development, demonstrating its dedication to reaching underserved populations and equipping them with valuable skills for improved livelihoods.

The coordination meeting laid the groundwork for a structured approach to completing the Training Center at Sitio Ladian, likely discussing timelines, resource allocation, and strategies for engaging the local community in the training programs.

This collaborative effort between TESDA and the 534 ECB Philippine Army serves as a model for future initiatives, highlighting the potential of partnerships between educational institutions and other sectors in driving community development and empowerment.

DLPC AND ABOITIZ FOUNDATION GIVE A NEW LOOK TO EIM NC II TRADE AREA

The Provincial Training Center – Davao (PTC-Davao) has recently undergone a significant enhancement of its Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) facilities, thanks to a generous contribution from Davao Light and Power Co., Inc., in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation. This substantial investment, valued at 2.4 million pesos, marks a pivotal moment in the center's ability to provide top-tier vocational training in the electrical field.

The donation encompasses a comprehensive renovation of the existing EIM facility, along with the provision of state-of-the-art tools and equipment. This upgrade is set to revolutionize the learning experience for trainees, offering them access to modern resources that align closely with industry standards.

This initiative is part of a broader vision shared by Davao Light and the Aboitiz Foundation, the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group. Their collaborative effort aims to foster the development of a skilled workforce, focusing on producing competent electricians. The ultimate goal is to ensure that PTC-Davao's EIM program graduates are thoroughly prepared for immediate employment upon successfully completing TESDA's National Certification (NC) II.

The newly renovated facility and updated equipment will enable PTC-Davao to offer more comprehensive and practical training. Trainees will now work with industry-standard tools and in an environment that closely mimics real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience is crucial in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, a key factor in producing work-ready graduates.

This generous contribution from Davao Light and the Aboitiz Foundation underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing vocational education. By investing in PTC-Davao's infrastructure and resources, these organizations are not only improving the quality of education but also directly contributing to the economic development of the region by helping to create a more skilled and competent workforce.

The impact of this upgrade extends beyond the immediate benefits to the trainees. It positions PTC-Davao as a leading institution for EIM training in the region, potentially attracting more students and industry partnerships. Furthermore, it aligns with TESDA's mission to provide high-quality technical education and skills development programs that meet the demands of an evolving job market.

As PTC-Davao integrates these new resources into its curriculum, it is expected to see an increase in the number of successful NC II certifications among its graduates. This, in turn, will lead to higher employment rates and better career prospects for those entering the electrical installation and maintenance field.