Zubiri spearheads TESDA training centers in Bukidnon

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri led the turnover ceremonies of four (4) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training centers in Bukidnon yesterday (Monday, Oct. 7) with TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña. The training centers in Impasugong, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, and Maramag are part of Zubiri's initiative to establish local government unit-based TESDA training centers in Bukidnon aligned with anti-poverty and anti-insurgency goals of the province.

"We want Bukidnon to be the pioneering tech-voc-educated province in the country," Zubiri said of the training centers. This partnership between Zubiri and TESDA geared toward providing accessible technological-vocational education to the whole province. More TESDA training centers will be established in the city of Malaybalay, and the towns of Kitaotao, San Fernando, Kibawe, Quezon, Talakag, Malitbog, Baungon, Kalilangan, Sumilao, Damulog, Kadingilan and Dangcagan.

With these four turnovers, Bukidnon now has TESDA training centers in its two cities and 20 towns, making it the pioneer province to have LGU-based TESDA-operated training centers, bringing skills education to grassroots communities.

These TESDA training centers are part of Zubiri's education-focused poverty alleviation projects for the province, complementing the expansion of Bukidnon State University through its extension campuses.

Joining Zubiri for the turnover ceremonies in the four towns were TESDA Sec. Lapeña, Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Rep. Manuel Zubiri of the Third District. Also present were Mayor Anthony Uy and Vice Mayor Norly Pepito for Impasugong; Mayor Renante Inocando and Vice Mayor Lolita Obsioma for Cabanglasan; Mayor Ernie Devibar and Vice Mayor Sulpicio Gallano for Lantapan; and Mayor Jose Joel Doromal and Vice Mayor Ed Laure for Maramag.

"We want every single person in Bukidnon to physically have access to our schools. It is hard enough to balance school and work - as many of our youth have no choice but to do - and it just becomes more difficult when geographical challenges get in the way, discouraging attendance or even application. Bukidnon is one of the largest provinces in the nation in terms of land area. It follows that we would need a large network of educational centers to reach all our constituents, at minimal cost to them," Zubiri added.

"With these TESDA training centers in every city and municipality of the province, we are bringing education and opportunity right to our peoples' doorsteps."