Tesda skills training set for new batch of ex-rebels

THE regional office of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda 11) will offer skills training to the second batch of rebel returnees slated April 3 in line with their National Integration Scholarship Program (NISP) to help them get a headstart in their pursuit for a reformed life.

The training will be simultaneously held in the Regional Training Center- Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) in Tibungco, Davao City if they wish to be trained in training centers.

But rebel returnees could also choose com- munity-based or brigade camps for those who prefer the community-based training modality, and Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) and other private institutions for the beneficiaries who want to be trained in institutions near their residences.

Aside from the free

training, they will also be provided with free skills training, accommodation and assessment, and a training support fund (TSF) of P100 per training day.

Tesda 11 is intensifying its efforts to provide skills development training programs for the second batch of rebel returnees here in Davao region in coordination with other government agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

To date, they are finalizing plans on the conduct of the second skills training development program for ex-rebels to align in the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to give chance to those who embrace the government with protection and livelihood opportunities as they go back to mainstream society.

Based on the record of AFP, a total of 471 former rebels from Davao Occidental, Compostela Valley, Davao City, Tagum City, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental underwent profiling last March 20, 2018. The individuals profiled were among the 638 rebels who surrendered and were identified by the Department of National Defense (DND).

However, the final number of ex-rebels who can be catered for the second batch has yet to be determined.

After former rebels complete the training, they will receive their National Certificate (NC) and Tesda will also give them starter tool kits for them to start their own livelihood while other government agencies vowed to help find employers for them and form them into an association or cooperative so that they may be able to avail more grants from the government.

The scholarship program of the governmnet is not only intended for rebels but as well as Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Muslim Filipinos who intend to be equipped with technical skills.

Earlier, a total of 45 rebel returnees, the first batch of scholarship recepients, completed their training program last March 8. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will then conduct a post evaluation and needs assessment on them.

Of the 45, 20 were certified in Automotive Technology and 25 for Civil Technology.

The activity will be held in Mati City, Davao Oriental and each of them will be given transportation and food allowance of P200.