BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – More than 1,500 Uswag Ilonggo TESDA scholars gathered at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district for their graduation and skills training culmination ceremonies on Friday, Jan. 5.
The scholars from the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras received certificates for completing their respective technical and vocational courses at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Uswag Ilonggo Party-list’s Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr., in his speech, praised the scholars for their hard work and dedication.
“Ang ini nga skills nga natun-an ninyo, indi ini siya makawat sa inyo,” Ang said.
He also told the scholars to dream big.
“Sa liwat gina-congratulate ko gid kamo tanan-tanan nga mga graduates. Maghandum kamo sang mas masanag nga buwas-damlag,” Ang added.
The Uswag Ilonggo Party-list had allocated funds for the training of the scholars so that more Ilonggos could benefit.
But Ang stressed: “Ang ini nga pundo indi ko ni siya personal nga kwarta. Kwarta ini sang gobyerno para sa programa sang departamento, kwarta sang pumuluyo ini, ginabalik lang naton sa tawo.”
The party-list representative also expressed gratitude to TESDA Region 6 director Florencio Sunico Jr. and all partner schools and local government units.
Also present during the ceremonies were TESDA-Iloilo executives Esther Babalo and Jonathan Togonon; TESDA-6 Regional Training Center’s Porferio Celestial TESDA-Iloilo supervising specialist Ma. Ofelia De la Cruz; Iloilo City’s Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, Sta. Barbara’s Mayor Dennis Superficial, Lambunao’s Vice Mayor Arvin Losaria, Carles’ Vice Mayor Arnold Betita, San Rafael town’s Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Daphney Coo, and Tubungan SB member Mark Joshua Tacsagon./PN
