The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Abra gave baked goodies to earthquake-affected residents.

TESDA Abra chief Allan Millan on Saturday said “Our agency is doing its share in the government’s effort by giving food packs and baked goodies to displaced province mates.”

The program is part of the agency’s “TESDAmayan” program, the banner program that aims to aid communities in crisis due to natural calamities which displaced residents.

The goodies were baked by trainers and trainees of TESDA’s Bread and Pastry Production.

“We are expanding to other municipalities, and baking is done at the towns,” Millan said.

He said the baked products so far benefited 7,420 in the towns of La Paz, Tayum, and Manabo.

He added that the program also has a rehabilitation component where scholarships are given to residents and part of the training is to help in rebuilding, reconstruction, and repair of damaged houses, or their own houses.

They also receive training allowance and tool kits under the Special Training for Employment Program scholarship.

“TESDA Central Office allotted PHP10 million for the conduct of the Training Cum production to help homeowners who suffered damage,” Millan said.

At least 464 scholars will benefit from the allocation that will allow the participants to learn new skills, receive a starter kit and increase their chances of employment or livelihood.

“Our scholars will be helped by the trainers from different TESDA institutions,” Millan said.

Aside from self-help, the skills training will also help in the recovery effort for Abra.

Pitching in resources

Jimiccio Daoaten, TESDA-CAR assistant regional director and concurrent TESDA-Benguet provincial director, joined other provincial directors and administrators of TESDA-CAR in turning over on August 4 donations to families affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake.

Among those given were boxes of cookies, cheese bread, juice drinks, mineral water, food packs, loaf bread, dried beans, rice, canned goods, and noodles.

The donations were from TESDA Region 3, TESDA Association of Concerned Employees (ACE)-CAR, and TESDA provincial offices in Benguet, Apayao, Ifugao, Mt. Province, and Baguio City.

TESDA-CAR continues to receive donations from different organizations and TESDA Regional Offices which will also be brought to Abra. (PNA)