By Nanette L. Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY, Sept 20 (PNA) — The livelihood and skills development program of the provincial government of Negros Occidental got a boost with its acquisition of a mobile training bus, the first in Western Visayas.
The project is a collaboration between the province and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The bus, which was turned over Friday, was donated by Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), a major bus company based in this city.
Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. thanked Vallacar Transit for the donation.
“The mobile training bus will be used to improve the livelihood and skills training program of the provincial government in partnership with TESDA,” he said.
It will offer various trainings such as plumbing, culinary, carpentry, welding, and automotive mechanics.
The turn-over rites was witnessed by TESDA-6 Regional Director Toni June Tamayo, TESDA Negros Occidental Provincial Director Joel Villagracia, VTI Vice President for Legal Affairs Collin Derk Isidro, and Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center head Cristina Orbecido.
Moreover, Marañon encouraged farmers from the municipalities of La Castellana, Isabela, and Moises Padilla in the province’s Fifth District to avail of the skills training offered by TESDA.
Their family members can also apply for the trainings, he added.
This will enable them to get a high-paying and in-demand jobs, and improve their quality of life, the governor said.
The farmers are currently attending an organic farming training, which is also a program of the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Provincial Planning and Development Office.(PNA)