TESDA brings agri-skills to IPs. Contributed photo
TARLAC CITY – Forty members of the Paquillao Aeta Native Abelling (PANA) Tribal Council from Sitio Paquillao in Barangay Care here were given agriculture-related skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
TESDA’s agri-crops production training to indigenous people’s communities is under the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
It aims to develop self-reliant, resilient and sustainable communities through harmonized and culturally responsive development programs, create additional livelihood and other income generating opportunities, and conduct of agriculture related qualifications such as Agricultural Crops Production NC II and Animal Production (Poultry-Chicken) NC II.
In his message, TESDA regional director Jesus Fajardo explained the training’s dual purpose: “We are shooting two birds in one stone, providing trainings and learnings to the IPs and paving way of opportunities to IP communities.“
In behalf of the PANA, tribal chieftain Bernie Pantaleon thanked the government agencies who worked together for this program: “We thank you for giving us priority in the programs you create, because of these programs, we are given hope.“
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples commissioner Rolando Rivera, who is also a member of PANA tribe, noted the importance of this program to IP communities.
“It is necessary for IP communities to be united and remain at peace, where in no other interventions but only government interventions must occur for IP communities to remain law-abiding,” Rivera said. —Gabriela Liana Barela/PIA–3
