Army, TESDA to hold livelihood training in Agnor's remote IP community

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The Army’s 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) held a dialogue at the battalion’s headquarters at the Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Alubihid, Buenavista town on September 19, 2020, and sealed a plan to conduct a series of livelihood training for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the area.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of 23rd IB and TESDA Provincial Director Rey Cueva agreed that the training will be provided to the IPs of Sitio Bokbokon, Barangay Lawan-lawan in Las Nieves town, a community considered as a conflict-affected area and vulnerable to the harassments and other terroristic activities of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs).

Aside from the livelihood training, the IPs in the area will also receive basic services from the different line agencies and from the local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte.

The number of livelihood trainings now on the pipeline and being finalized by TESDA and other concerned government agencies include vegetable production, tilapia production, upland rice production, bread-making, as as well as broom, mat, and handicrafts making. The IPs will also receive instructions for familiarization to the healthcare-related programs of the government and trained to become effective first responders in their community.

Last September 15, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte, TESDA, and 23rd IB visited the Higaonon tribe in Sitio Bokbokon for a dialogue with the IP residents. The visit and dialogue served as a venue to see the situation of the residents and gather their needs, especially the government services that befit their situation.

The livelihood training is among the interventions the Higaonon tribesmen want from the government to develop their knowledge and skills in implementing programs and projects designed to promote sustainable livelihood for their community.

With the full support of the 23rd IB and other stakeholders, TESDA-ADN will primarily implement the training programs for the IPs in Sitio Bokbokon. TESDA is the leading partner in the development of the Filipino workforce with world-class competence and positive work values in the country. The agency also provides directions, policies, programs and standards towards quality technical education and skill development.

“Ang TESDA nag pahigayon kanunay og training para sa katawhan nga naa sa mga lagyo nga lugar sama sa Sitio Bokbokon. Nag paduol na gyod mi kaninyo, kami na ang niduol sa mga tribo nato aron tagaan og mga training nga maoy makatabang sa ilang pagpanguma ug maka income sila ug ensakto para sa ilang pamilya,” Cueva told the IPs during the dialogue. 

Lt. Col. Paulo expressed his gratitude towards the TESDA-ADN for its untiring support to the undertakings of the 23rd IB and the IP communities in Agusan del Norte. 

“Ang mga trainings nga ipahigayon kaninyo sa TESDA inyo gyud nang seryosohon kay kani nga mga training gihimo para kaninyo ug sibo gayud sa inyong sitwasyon ug panginahanglan sa inyong lugar,” Paulo said.

Meanwhile, the commander asked the residents of Sitio Bokbokon for cooperation and support to the programs of the government that are aimed to uplift their socio-economic conditions.

Paulo also emphasized that the government is exerting efforts to ensure better services for communities, especially those considered conflict-affected, by implementing programs, projects, and services in support of Executive Order No. 70 (EO70).

Under the EO70, Paulo said the government prioritizes the needs of the residents in communities considered as Peace and Development Zones (PDZs).

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA