BANCASI, Butuan City – The Technical Education and Skills Development Agency (TESDA) Agusan del Norte thru the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) in partnership with the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade conducted a 4-Day Skills Training to Stingers troopers and its dependents from March 02 to 05, 2021. Said training was held at Headquarters, Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City for the first two days and at NMSF, Brgy Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte for the remaining days.
A total of twenty (20) personnel of 402nd Brigade and four (4) military dependents completed the said skills training. The participants underwent four (4) days training on Table Setting, Table Napkin Folding, Table Skirting, Coffee Making, Mixing of Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Concoction, and Cookery that will be used in the daily activities of the unit, during special occasion and even in their own homes. The training was facilitated by the NMSF headed by Ms Nancy De Guzman, OIC School Administrator of NSMF and Training Section of 402nd Brigade.
This training is in line with the Brigade’s intent of equipping its personnel with various skills as part of professionalizing the troops under the Army Transformation Road (ATR) map. The endeavor also aims to strengthen the commitment and partnership between TESDA and the Army’s 402nd Brigade under the Provincial Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF- ELCAC).
As Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, the 402nd Brigade Commander, said during the Opening Ceremony last March 2, 2021, “This training, as a convergence program and partnership with TESDA, will significantly promote the skills competency of our troops. As such, we must always endeavor to provide quality services that will satisfy the expectations of our stakeholders visiting the camp including our own personnel. Hence, there is a need to conduct this training to provide excellent services as a reflection of our standards and professionalism”.
Meanwhile, Director Rey M Cueva, the TESDA Provincial Director, Agusan del Norte, extends his sincerest gratitude to the soldiers being the protector of the people and preserving the peace and at the same time recognizing their vital role in nation building during the closing program as the Keynote Speaker on March 08, 2021 at 402Bde, Camp Romualdo, Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. He highlighted the partnership with the Brigade underscoring the role of the Philippine Army thru the Community Support Program (CSP) in the implementation of livelihood interventions to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) which are the targets of CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) exploitation.
Director Cueva further shared the role of the soldiers as a partner of TESDA during calamities such as the construction and repair of houses, providing transportation for the toolkits and TESDA scholars, free services during the civic actions, and the security assistance being provided when TESDA personnel are visiting Peace and Development Zones (PDZs) during pay-outs and other related activities.
Brigadier Licudine conveyed his utmost gratitude to TESDA Provincial Office of Agusan del Norte and to the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries for being an instrument in enhancing the troop’s skills. “This training is only one of the many partnerships between the TESDA and this Brigade. We have on-going projects and programs intended for the IPs and our Former Rebels (FRs) and other lined up activities under the convergence of Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in line with the implementation of EO Nr 70”.
“Rest assured that your Army is committed to sustain the partnership thru our Community Support Program in the conflict affected areas and GIDAs in order to bring the government closer to the people and attain peaceful and conflict-resilient communities”. BGen Licudine said.
