March 29, 2024

With the course offering of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, young mothers and fathers in Kapangan, Benguet are given chances to better their lives.
Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin said the establishment of a Tesda provincial training center at Sitio Paykek, Barangay Paykek would greatly benefit their constituents and those from neighboring towns.
“There are young mothers and young fathers who did not finish their studies and are the ones to be assisted with the Tesda courses,” Fermin said.
He added the national certificates received by graduates of Tesda courses could be used for local or overseas employment and could be used to start their sources of livelihood.
There are 25 students taking up bread and pastry and 25 students enrolled in organic farming under the Tesda scholarship program in the municipality.
Fermin said Kapangan officials have been talking with the Tesda regional and provincial offices for the possibility of offering landscaping as one of the courses once the provincial training center is completed.
“There are only few from Benguet who know how to landscape and if we hire, it’s very costly, so that’s one of the courses being eyed,” he said.
Earlier, Tesda Sec. Isidro Lapeña together with Gov. Melchor Diclas, Benguet caretaker Eric Yap, and Fermin led the groundbreaking of the P10 million worth three-story Tesda building. 
Lapeña said du-ring the construction of the building, Tesda graduates in carpentry, masonry, electrical installation, and plumbing will be tapped to work for the project.
He said Tesda has given its support to the construction of the training center that will give more opportunities for learning not only for Kapangan residents but also for interested enrollees from Kibungan, Tublay, and Bakun. – Ofelia C. Empian