Skills Training Launched in line with the Career Month Celebration for Muslim Youth Sector

VSA Felipe C. Hiquial Jr. delivers his opening  remarks during the launching of skills training for Muslim Youth at TESDA-WNAS.

 

    In line with the Career Month Celebration for Muslim Youth Sector, TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School launched Agriculture-related qualifications to fifty (50) Muslim Youth in Davao City on March 2, 2021, at Roey’s Events Center in TESDA–WNAS, Brgy. Wangan Davao City. Commissioner for Youth Samer Musa Allong from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) led the participants along with the President of Samahan ng mga Kabataang Magsasakang Pilipino Mr. Haben Musa.

Commisioner Samer Musa Allong, NCMF Commissioner for Youth gives his inspirational message.

    According to Commissioner Allong the activity aims to equip their youth sector with the skills, to become productive during this time of pandemic. Instead of playing video games or online games, he wanted to convert their energies to skills training, especially in agriculture. He cited further that farmers had been the unsung heroes when COVID-19 strikes. They provided food on our table when it was difficult to have access to vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural products when we experienced lockdown. He urged them to give their 100% in the skills training to become successful in the future. 

Mr. Hiquial was grateful to be part of the Career Month celebration in providing scholarship programs, especially in Agriculture.

    Vocational School Administrator Felipe C. Hiquial Jr. thanked Commissioner Allong for celebrating the career month for Muslim Youth Sector with TESDA–WNAS. He emphasized that the youth plays a vital role in nation-building, and agriculture is very relevant to the current situation where food security is at stake.

    Twenty-five trainees will undergo Agricultural Crops Production NC I and the other half in Organic Agriculture Production NC II under Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) scholarship program.

Engr. Domingo lauded the efforts of the youth leaders and encourages to embrace the opportunities to develop themselves.

    Engr. Melanie M. Domingo, Vocational Instruction Supervisor, underscored the importance of agriculture. She said, we observed that at the onset of COVOD-19 outbreak that farming is the only hope of our nation. She encouraged everyone to embrace this opportunity and to become serious in this endeavor.

Ms. Petalcorin conducts the Training Induction Program.

    The Training Induction Program conducted by Ms. Angelita M. Petalcorin, the School Registrar, to introduce the trainees to what is TESDA and its mandates. Also, to provide information about the various scholarship programs, benefits of the scholars, and qualifications offered by the institution.

Ms. Tatoy from DA RFO XI discussed about ACEF Scholarship Program of the agency.

    Sheena G. Tatoy, the previous ACEF Coordinator from DA Regional Field Office XI, discussed the scholarship programs offered by their agency. She cited that there was a decline in high school graduates pursuing agriculture in college. Their agency is very active in recruiting students to enroll in agriculture-related courses to address the demand for agriculturists in the country. [SMAC FOCAL]

Mr. Musa, President of Muslim Youth Organization, addresses to his fellow youth.

Photo-Op with the participants.

 

WNAS Tablea and Dark Chocolate Production

TESDA-WNAS creates an impact not only in TESDA Davao Region but even at the national level. After securing the third spot Income Generating Project (IGP) in the whole TESDA-Philippines, WNAS TABLEA continues to make waves. This single-origin Tablea is a bestseller product of its kind because we make it from pure fermented cacao beans. This premium commodity is the favorite pasalubong of our visitors in TESDA-WNAS and graduates in our institution who are now working overseas. 

WNAS Tablea, produced by Agricultural Crops Production

Just recently, Davao City bids to be the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines. It is true since Davao City and Davao Region at large is the biggest producer of cacao beans with 80% total in the entire country. Even a major player in the export industry of cacao beans in the international market.

TESDA-WNAS supports the attempt of our local government through integrating Cacao Production to the skills development training program of Agricultural Crops Production. Cacao is one of the high-value crops that TESDA-WNAS produced. We have a 7-year partnership with ACDI/VOCA that is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in implementing their 1st phase project which is the Cacao Project. 

Dark Chocolate Mango Flavor

From producing pure Tablea, TESDA-WNAS ventures to Chocolate Making. Value-adding the existing Tablea Production to cater to a wider market with interesting preferential demographics. Likewise, to fulfill the unserved and under-served markets, to grow the awareness of WNAS Tablea and Dark Chocolates. TESDA-WNAS administration that makes up greater revenue supported such a feat.

With the value-adding concept, the volume of Tablea Production becomes notably high. According to Ms. Erlinda Ferrer, Agricultural Crops Production NC I and NC III Trainer, they can process an average of 30 Kilograms of cacao beans every month, half of the cocoa liquor is for the 62% Dark Chocolate production.

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Flavor

They make two flavors of Dark Chocolates; Mango and Strawberry flavors. They added pop rice for the Mango flavor and placed in a gold packaging. Meanwhile, peanuts serve as extenders for Strawberry flavor and put in silver packaging. They are selling Tablea for Php 35.00/pack @ 100 grams net weight, and Php 50.00 for Dark Chocolates with the same weight.

With the great demand of Dark Chocolates locally and internationally, TESDA-WNAS is up for the challenge. It is about time to advance the research on cacao processing and more value-adding techniques to maximize the potential of cacao. Also, the need to access of the state-of-art technology that generates efficient management of the cacao beans, by producing bean-to-bar concept, to enhance the marketability of the WNAS Tablea. - Jonah D. Samillano / SMAC Focal