ILAGAN CITY, Isabela—The Manpower Skills Training Program jointly spearheaded by Tesda-Isabela School of Arts and Trade and the city government of Ilagan recently held its 17th graduation ceremonies.
Maria Elena Narciso, Tesda-ISAT Registrar, presented the 527 candidates for graduation and pronounced them “eligible to receive their training certificates.”
The graduates were confirmed by Vocational School Superintendent Igmedio S. Casticon, who ordered the issuance of the certifications of the graduates in his speech.
As a manifestation of support to the MSTP, City Councilor Jay Eveson C. Diaz, representing her mother, Mayor Evelyn C. Diaz, handed over a cheque worth P260,000 to Tesda-ISAT to cover training expenses and incentives to the trainers.
Among the graduates, 29 finished automotive servicing, 37 in basic massage, 21 in bread and pastry, 51 in caregiving, 41 in cookery, 14 in dressmaking, 29 in electrical installation and maintenance, 22 in electronic servicing, and 14 in front office services.
Another 12 graduates took up handicrafts, 14 in housekeeping, 16 in motorcycle and small engine servicing, nine in nail care, 13 in refrigeration and air-conditioning, and 26 in shielded metal arc welding. About 179 others received various skills certificates, such as basic solar DIY generator, basic life support, and other skills.
MSTP Coordinator Paul Bacungan outlined Ilagan’s future program to expand the current 16 courses to 20, while limiting the number of enrolees to 30 so the size of the classes would be more manageable.
“We have more than 900 enrolees in 2016, and only 500 finished their course. We plan to bring the training to the barangays and offer skills like meat processing, welding and electronics servicing, which could generate livelihood instantly,” Bacungan added.
The graduates were then invited to apply with E-GMP International Corp., a Manila-based manpower agency serving clients in the Middle East.