Brief History of the Provincial Training Center - Davao!

The Provincial Training Center-Davao (PTC-Davao) stands as a cornerstone of vocational training excellence in Davao City. Since its inception in 1995, it has served as a catalyst for skill development, strategically positioned just 14 kilometers south of Davao City's core, en route to Bukidnon Province. The center owes its existence to the foresight and dedication of the late Hon. Elias V. Lopez, whose vision for rural development materialized through the Countryside Development Fund. Securing a 300-square-meter plot from the Davao City Government marked the inception of PTC-Davao, setting the stage for its enduring legacy in technical education.

From humble beginnings with a core team of seven staff members, PTC-Davao swiftly distinguished itself as a beacon of vocational training. Initially focusing on three key trade areas—Computer Hardware Servicing, Building Wiring Installation, and Welding and Steel Fabrication—the center equipped each program with comprehensive tools and equipment, ensuring a robust learning environment. Over time, these foundational programs evolved into registered qualifications, reflecting PTC-Davao's adaptability to industry demands and regulatory standards.

The journey of PTC-Davao has been one of evolution and expansion, marked by both triumphs and challenges. The center's commitment to excellence propelled it to expand its course offerings, incorporating additional qualifications such as Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, and Organic Agriculture Production, among others. However, limitations in the training areas, facilities, and resources posed hurdles, leading to the voluntary closure of programs. Despite these setbacks, PTC-Davao remained steadfast in its mission to empower individuals with relevant skills, preparing them for meaningful contributions to the workforce and beyond.

PTC-Davao's Institutional Development Plan for 2024-2028 aims to further enhance its offerings and facilities, ensuring the continuation of its legacy as a beacon of vocational training. The plan underscores the importance of adapting to changing industry landscapes, maintaining high standards in training and technology, and fostering leadership qualities among its trainees. With a steadfast commitment to these goals, PTC-Davao is poised to continue its vital role in the development of a skilled workforce, contributing significantly to the region's prosperity.

A MESSAGE FULL OF INSPIRATION, A CALL FOR A MISSION! REPAIRING A BROKEN PAST TOWARDS A FUNCTIONING PRESENT - Ruben Villacencio’s Ring to Success

A 34-year-old technician named Ruben Villacencio was born and raised in Davao Oriental, San Isidro. He’s the sixth child in their family. He has two elder brothers, two younger sisters, and two younger brothers, and he did not mention the rest of his siblings since he came from a large family. Just like the others struggling financially, he is also a victim of circumstance. His life in the province was quite difficult; his parents couldn’t afford to send him to school. For them to have something to eat, he had to cultivate crops like corn, bananas, and coconuts. Despite this, he finished his elementary education at Laak Davao de Oro.

His parents were even constantly fighting because of different matters; one day, a fight between his parents changed his life. When his father was about to hit his mother, it was Ruben hit at the back and front of the head. It bled a lot. His eyes were affected, which caused him to be half-blind. He recalled it was a painful experience for him, and he can’t even put it into words. At 12, his father died, and he had to stand as a father for his family to survive. He said to himself that he had to multiply his efforts to live a comfortable life. These bitter experiences pushed him to venture into the city and decide to be a working student to sustain his basic needs. The drive he had in his heart to get out of poverty gave him strength.

He was a working student throughout high school and attended only Sunday classes. He worked as a salesman for cellphone accessories at Brgy. Mintal. He had done this for four years until he finished high school. He decided not to enter college, and in 2011, he decided to set up a small business, which is a cellphone repair business. When he was just starting, he was only selling chargers, SIM cards, and cellphone cases. He even borrowed 10,000 pesos as capital from his elder brother. After only a year, his business grew and continues to expand up to this day. 

In 2015, he underwent an assessment in Consumer Electronics Service, which was amended in 2016 to Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing NC II, at the Provincial Training Center Davao. He passed the assessment but wasn’t able to get a national certificate because he lost his claim stub. Years passed, and he decided to enroll in Electronic Product Assembly and Servicing II at the same center because it offers free training and assessment for technicians. According to him, it helped him hone his skills, learn new knowledge, and apply it to his existing business. 

In addition, he has a branch in Tibanban, Governor Generoso, and Davao Oriental. According to him, his business is going well. Both shops offer cellphone accessories and memory cards; he also repairs LCDs and offers mobile wallets to allow his customers to accept cash-in and cash-out. By doing so, he can compare his life and income before moving to the province with what he has now. He is hoping that what he learned in TESDA will help him help other people as well through his business. [SMAC – Ira Monica M. Tan]

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.