Manobos from insurgency-cleared barangays in Agusan Norte get agri-skills training from TESDA
By Nora C. Lanuza
BUTUAN CITY – Manobos from communities in Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte received national training certificates after finishing agricultural crop production training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of TESDA Training Support Funds, 25 Manobo scholars from Barangay Puting Bato and 50 from Barangay Mahaba underwent skills training. The two barangays were classified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).
The two barangays have also been declared “insurgency cleared” and are now being monitored by the Philippine Army.
TESDA Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Carlito F. Quintano said the initiative of providing indigenous people with the new skills is an initiative that was carried out under the project “Pagbansay Ngadto sa Paglambo,” with funding from the Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District of Representative Dale B. Corvera, together with support from the provincial government of Agusan del Norte headed by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante.
“TESDA Agusan del Norte, together with the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries as a training provider, ventured into these two GIDAs to provide the Manobo scholars with the skills that will help them improve their lives, sustain their needs, and remove these communities from poverty,” he said.
During their training, the scholars in Barangay Puting Bato developed a 2-hectare communal garden, abundant with crops like squash, ladyfinger, cucumber, and pineapple, as a sustainable source of food for the community.
Irene Matanog, a Manobo scholar from Barangay Puting Bato is grateful to TESDA and the provincial government for making her a scholar and avail of the program.
“Pagkanindot sa bation nga tudloan ka ug sakto nga pamaagi sa panarbaho sa yuta aron masakto usab ang pagpananum sa mga gulayon. Makat-on naka, ug aduna ka pay madawat nga certificate (NC III) (It is a fulfillment that they taught you the correct way of farming, especially land preparation and the proper way of planting vegetables. We learned a lot and at the same time we received the training certificate on NCIII,” she said.
The scholars of Barangay Mahaba also showcased their commitment to agricultural excellence by expanding their demonstration farm to one hectare, which covered crops like bell pepper, pechay, and eggplant.
“The 75 IP scholars did not only acquire new skills from the training through practical application for a sustainable farming practice but also earned a national certification from the government and allowance for the days of training,” Quintano added.
TESDA Caraga Regional Director Jerry G. Tizon acknowledged the collaborative efforts of TESDA Agusan del Norte and the 2nd Congressional District of Agusan del Norte that contributed to the rural development and progress of the province.
“TESDA’s role in skills development and vocational education will echo through communities, foster sustainable growth, and uplift the lives of individuals through skills acquisition,” he said. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)
