Options for those who did not go to College, the Unemployed, and the Tambay sa Kanto

by Marciano A. Paroy, Jr.

A young man considering his options for the future may find himself beset with queries that revolve around the issue: what is the fastest way by which he could bridge the gap between being un-trained on one hand and, on the other hand, being fully prepared to tackle in-demand jobs that could equip him with expertise which he could use for gainful employment, not only in the locality of Tabuk, but anywhere else in the globe?
Normally, college would have been the preferred direction – but considering the current trends in the global economy which is described by, among others, the need for highly skilled workers. Obviously, the best alternative is to be trained as efficiently as possible. And to get that training fast.
The question is where?
In here comes the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – under Provincial Director Julie Banganan – with its wide array of training programs and packages that are designed to cater to the training needs of those who have the vision to gain additional competence in an area other than what they have been naturally blessed with.
TESDA’s work is made even easier by the commitment given by its partner agencies and organizations. By setting-up close ties with TESDA, a partner agency can send trainees to the Provincial Training Center, or other TESDA-administered schools, or come up with its own training activities and workshops – which the agency may schedule for various clients: women groups, entrepreneurs, the youth, farmers and other interested trainees.
Because of such partnership, the mandates of TESDA are realized and, as a result, a forward-looking batch of trainees are developed regularly – ready to face the global challenge, ready to be productive members of the society, ready to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others.
Because of such collaboration, the vision and mission of the partner agency find meaning, and the local leaders – from both the executive and the legislative arms of the LGU – live up to their commitment to bring about tangible change in the community.
This is what LGU-Tabuk does.
Inspired by the concept that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment of all the blessings of democracy by all people, Mayor Camilo T. Lammawin Jr. initiated a program that would address issues and concerns that would normally lead people to get out of bounds from the law.
Thus the Matagoan: A Unique Solution to a Unique Situation was born.
Matagoan, a Kalinga term which means “Zone of Life” rests on the premise that Tabuk should be a community that embraces diverse cultures – and provide its citizens with opportunities of improving their lives. It is envisioned that if people perceive the impact of the program, and participate in its activities, then the temptation to be led astray and become a community burden is minimized and eventually eradicated.
How does the LGU hope to attain this?
“A productive individual who maintains a steady source of livelihood or business would normally set his eyes on increasing the sustainability of his venture,” Mayor Camilo T. Lammawin Jr. stressed. “When this happens, we develop a class of citizens whose attention is focused on their gainful contribution not only to their family’s income but to the community as well.”
Indeed, sociology teaches us that a well-fed population whose members are scaling the heights of profitability is a community of people who are contented, happy and whole-heartedly willing to take part in other development projects – especially so that most of these people came from poverty-ridden subsistence early on in their lives.
These are the people that LGU-Tabuk is endeavoring to upgrade.
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If you know people in your neighborhood that you wish to take out from your daily sight as you pass by them in your street, send them over to TESDA, instead of frowning and giving them the judgment “Awan serserbi yo ketdi.”