Residents of NPA-infiltrated village undergo 10-day skills training

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 12, 2020): Residents of NPA-infiltrated village undergo 10-day skills training (By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog) 

STA. MARIA, Ilocos Sur, Dec. 12 (PIA) – Twenty residents of Sitio Paring, Babal-lasioan village here started their 10-day skills training on motorcycle and small engine repair and maintenance on Tuesday, December 8.

Fourteen of the said trainees are former members of the Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) – who withdrew their support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and took oath of allegiance to the government on October 2, while the other six trainees are their relatives.

This community-based training program is a collaboration between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Ilocos Sur Provincial Office, the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC)-Santiago Campus, and the 81st Infantry (SPARTAN) Battalion, 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade, Philippine Army.

According to Leonida Bides, extension coordinator of ISPSC-Santiago Campus, each trainee shall receive tools and materials such as screw (flat and Philip), plier, and combination wrench (8, 10, 12, 14, 17 inches) which they can use in applying their acquired skills after they finish the skills training.

Andrew (not his real name), one of the trainees, expressed his gratitude to the agencies and the Philippine Army for their continuous support and assistance to their community.

“Nagpapasalamat kami ulit sa inyong lahat at narito na naman kayo upang magbigay tulong sa amin, lalong-lalo na sa 81st IB, thank you sir, kasi kayo ang naging tulay namin sa mga biyayang ito. Sa DTI at TESDA, gayun din sa ISPSC, maraming salamat at bumalik ulit kayo sa aming sitio kahit na sobrang layo,” he said.

All 25 families of said sitio also received food packs sponsored by Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ilocos Sur, led by Provincial Director Grace R. Lapastora, conducted monitoring to the livelihood kits which were distributed last October 17 through the Serbisyo Caravan of the member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Wendell Botacion, TESD Specialist II of the TESDA-Ilocos Sur, lauded the partnership between the institutions, agencies, and the Philippine Army for the constant implementation of various counter-insurgency efforts in line with the Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Nagpapasalamat ang TESDA sa ISPSC for sharing their resources, expertise, and time. Napakalaking contribution ito para sa ating mga kababayan sa Sitio Paring. Kaya hinihiling ng TESDA sa ating mga trainees na seryosohin ang pag-aaral kasi sila ang magbe-benefit sa knowledge and skills na ma-acquire nila. Yong alam nila ang pag-maintain at pag-repair ng sarili nilang motorsiklo or mga farm equipment ay napakalaking tulong na sa kanila. Lesser ang gastos kasi hindi na sila magbabayad ng repair o maintenance fee,” he said.

“Yong mga may planong magpatayo ng repair and maintenance business, hiling po lang namin na ang pinaka-objective po sana ay para makatulong sa kapwa. Sabihin ang totoong problema ng makina at maningil lang ng sakto,” he further added.

The activity was spearheaded by TESDA-Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Socorro F. Galanto, ISPSC-Santiago Campus Extension Coordinator Ms. Bides and their trainer, Mr. Alwin Morales, and the 81st IB led by Lt. Col. Rodrigo A. Mariñas, Jr. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1061603