TESDA-AdN, TVIs show support to COVID-19 frontliners
By TESDA Agusan del Norte
BUTUAN CITY – The provincial office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Agusan del Norte in partnership with Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) have shown support to COVID-19 frontliners.
Dubbed as “Bayanihan Na! Talunin Natin ang COVID-19,” the Association of Technical and Vocational Schools of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte (ATSBAN) has partnered with TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office through the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF), and some medical professionals from Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Diamond Batch 1992 who solicited materials and funds in making face shields and washable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontliners.
In a statement, ATSBAN President and AMA-Computer Learning Center-Butuan School Director Engr. Allan Atega said this development came after medical professionals who are alumni of FSUU Diamond Batch 1992 coordinated with ATSBAN and pledge to provide materials for the making of the PPEs.
ATSBAN coordinated with TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office and the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) through School Administrator Romel M. Natad to utilize their trainers in Tailoring NC II to design and sew the PPE suits.
The TVI association organized solicitation program to collect and accept materials and funds to purchase materials needed for the PPEs; accepts cash and deposit donations; coordinate with TESDA and NMSF for the transport and production of PPEs; promotes solicitation over social media; and documents all activities and donations for transparency.
“This initiative is really a collaborative effort supporting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte especially in these times of crisis, which is also in line with the Bayanihan Program: Heal our Land,” Atega said.
Meanwhile, TESDA-Agusan del Norte Acting Provincial Director Liza B. Budtan said that TESDA and the academe sector in the province and the city of Butuan are one in supporting the frontliners who have risked their lives just to serve the Agusanons and Butuanons. “In this little way, we could be able to show our support to our modern heroes,” she added.
Dir. Budtan likewise expressed her sincerest thanks and gratitude to ATSBAN, FSUU Diamond Batch of 1992, NMSF, ACLC-Butuan and those who have made the project noble and worthwhile.
Among the priority beneficiaries are medical frontliners in: Butuan City Medical Center (BMC) which is a COVID-Exclusive Hospital in the province; BMC (PUI Facilities); Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital; private hospitals in Butuan City; public and private outside Butuan City, and frontliners in major checkpoints in the city.
To date, Atega said 300 faceshields were already distributed to major checkpoints (Butuan City’s entry points) like Bit-os, Bancasi, Sumilihon, Taligaman and Barangay Villa-Kananga. The facemasks have been donated to BMC while NMSF has initially produced eight, at four suits per day. “We hope to deliver at least 20 or more suits to BMC,” he added.
As of April 2, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH)-Caraga reported that there are no patients who are found positive of the COVID-19 in the five provinces and six cities in the region.
Also, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Agusan del Norte reported in their Facebook page that DOH-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said the swab sample of the patient under investigation (PUI) who died at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City on March 26, 2020 tested negative of COVID-19. (Robert E. Roperos, TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
