Kalinaw News: Army, TESDA set up mechanism to address poverty problems

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 19, 2021): Army, TESDA set up mechanism to address poverty problems



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) together with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) conducted a series of dialogues in the different communities under the unit’s areas of responsibility (AORs) in Agusan del Norte from January 13 to 15, 2021 to discuss mechanisms on how to bring the government and the public closer together in reaching achievable goals.

The said activity was also meant to help the communities in the AOR of the 23IB to become resilient, productive, sustainable, and responsible. The joint efforts of the 23IB and TESDA have showcased the strength of the convergence of efforts among government agencies and stakeholders, especially in the implementation of programs and projects to uplift the lives of the residents in the unit’s AOR. Under Executive Order No. 70 or the so-called Whole-of-Nation Approach, addressing the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats must be done by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages of the government. The EO70 also ensures the delivery of programs and services that are inclusive to all residents in communities and allows the participation of all sectors in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

The TESDA serves as the head of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The cluster’s main goal is to develop self-reliant, resilient, productive and sustainable communities through the implementation of harmonized and culturally responsive development programs.

Director Rey Cueva, the Provincial Director of TESDA-ADN said that working together with various stakeholders we will ensure that the communities are provided with relevant training packages for self-employment to create more enterprises and vibrant economic activities.

The mobile training teams of TESDA will be fielded to the far-flung barangays to conduct community-based livelihood skills training.

Cueva also emphasized the importance of the conduct of community needs assessment and not simply skills needs assessment by the PRLEC. Such an assessment will also involve the different agencies of the government.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB thanked TESDA-ADN for its untiring support to the efforts and activities of the unit, especially on the livelihood and skills training for the communities that were once influenced by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“There are different kinds of poverty, not only on the scarcity of food but also on the basic services from the government, such as health and sanitation,” Paulo said.

He added that through EO70, the programs and services of the government will be truly realized in communities and the people. “The harmonious implementation of plans and programs of the government such as cooperative education is considered a continuous learning, where relevant skills and livelihood training packages for self-employment are fulfilled to create more enterprises and livelihood activities in the communities,” Paulo said.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-tesda-set-up-mechanism-to-address-poverty-problems/