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.

 

Groundbreaking Ceremony of WNAS Swine Artificial Insemination Laboratory

November 06, 2020│TESDA XI Regional Director Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE graced the ceremonial groundbreaking of the WNAS Swine Artificial Insemination Laboratory this morning at the Wangan National Agricultural School Animal Production area.

The project is in partnership with UNIVET Nutrition & Animal Healthcare Company (UNAHCO) that aims to develop superior quality semen and store at the WNAS AI Laboratory. It targets to help the backyard farmers to raise high-grade swine breed and have access to recent technology in swine production.

Further, the project is in line with the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) tied to the Whole of Nation Approach. The exceptional partnership between TESDA–WNAS and UNAHCO will assist the backyard hog raisers in the priority barangays under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) to improve their sustainable livelihood.

Mr. Ram Pombo, UNAHCO’s Regional Operation Officer for Mindanao, led the team during the momentous event. Joining him were Mr. Glen Arcansalin, Regional Operation, Mr. Benson Maniti, Operations Manager, Mr. Ryan Galceran, Trade Marketing Group Head VIS-MIN area, and Mr. William Alabar, Feeds Sales Representative in Davao City.

WNAS Vocational School Administrator Felipe C. Hiquial Jr., Vocational Instruction Supervisor Engr. Melanie M. Domingo, Administrative Officer Alben R. Aguio, and Animal Production Department Head Cherfield P. Laran had represented Wangan National Agricultural School.

Mr. William G. Alabar cited that UNAHCO will form a long-term partnership with TESDA - WNAS because both institutions are working on the same goal by helping the marginalized sectors of our society. He added that after the establishment of the AI laboratory; they venture more projects in the coming days. │SMAC

WNAS Foodscaping Project, the Edible Landscape!

In our pursuit of food sustainability and security, TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School advocates Foodscaping, also known as edible landscaping. The concept is a combination of farming and landscaping to create a beautiful scenery that will feed one’s eyes and tummy. Introducing creative techniques to design the garden that it grows edible plants. A better way of growing a functional garden, feeding oneself while making the garden look attractive.

Foodscpaing Concept is the fresh mandate of TESDA XI Regional Director, Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE, during the Executive Committee Meeting on May 4, 2020, via Zoom App. The Regional Head presented the framework of the Foodscaping dubbed as A Journey to the New Normal.

He cited that Foodscaping fits the Filipino culture of Bayanihan System. The unit of a family in a certain area can plant varieties of vegetables and tend the garden or farm. They can share the harvest to the neighborhood and have an exchange of other produce. The surplus harvest can be pooled together for sharing with others or can be merged for trading to potential market partners. It promotes welfare, unity, and solidarity in the community while securing the health, and saves consumption expenses that can be converted to savings.

The project is one step towards self-sufficiency, productivity, and resiliency. But, it should start with a skills training intervention by TESDA in organic agriculture production, preparation of concoctions and garden landscaping or designing. Foodscaping is a revolutionary concept of food security and availability of food supply at all times because we can plant a variety of organic vegetables, root crops, herbs, and medicinal plants every household can consume that.

  

He added that every employee, either regular or job orders, must develop and sustain at least twenty square meters of underutilized spaces in the institution. The challenge cascaded by the Regional Director to the TTI Heads drew support because it will be a way of maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic look of the school while we are still battling with the pandemic. Because with the current situation, the school only relies on its strength with the existing workforce–the employees!

As an agricultural institution, WNAS embraces the project as it fuels another milestone to foster. In response to this direction, Vocational Instruction Supervisor Engr. Melanie M. Domingo assigned designated areas to all trainers and staff, including the security guards to cultivate for the gardening. We developed every vacant space in our school and even converted the ornamental plant boxes to be planted with vegetables. Everyone is up for the challenge and started its own version of Foodscaping.

The potential of these Foodscaping efforts affects the call for food sustainability to make sure a sufficient available foods to serve on our table. It only proves that when food security is at stake, we resort to creatively becoming part of the solution.