Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education–Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) Provincial Director Salehk Mangelen led on Oct. 23 the symbolic lighting of the torch to officially open the competition held at the Regional Manpower Development Center at Barangay Rebuken in Sultan Kudarat town. (Comenei Ali/BIO)
SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Technical-vocational graduates from Cotabato City and the two provinces of Maguindanao exhibited their skills and talents in the 3-day provincial skills competition from Oct. 23-25.
Provincial Director Salehk Mangelen of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) led on Oct. 23 the symbolic lighting of the torch to officially open the competition held at the Regional Manpower Development Center at Barangay Rebuken in Sultan Kudarat town.
Competitors from 12 training centers participated in the event, showcasing their expertise in three different skill areas: cookery, electrical installation and maintenance, and information network cabling.
Notable participating Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs) included Ittihadun Nisa Foundation Inc., Ebrahim Institute of Technology Inc., Illyana Bay Integrated Computer College Inc., Ibn Taimiyyah Foundation Academy Inc., Upi Agricultural School, Valdez Mother Child Asian College Foundation Inc. and the TESDA Technology Institution (TTI) Regional Manpower Development Center for Maguindanao.
Additionally, Aviation School of Cotabato, Coland System Technology Inc., St. Benedict College of Cotabato Inc, Dr. P. Ocampo College of Cotabato, and Academia de Technologia in Mindanao Inc. represented TESD Cotabato City District in another category.
MBHTE-TESD Bangsamoro Director General Engr. Ruby Andong emphasized that the winners of the competition would proceed to represent their respective training center at the BARMM regional skills competition.
“Kaya natin ginagawa itong provincial skills competitions kasi isang paraan ito upang ma-demonstrate and ma-promote yung competence and provincial competitiveness ng Bangsamoro galing sa Maguindanao at Cotabato City,” Andong said, urging the competitors to show their best skills.
[We are doing this provincial skills competition to demonstrate and promote the competence and the provincial competitiveness of the Bangsamoro hailing from Maguindanao and Cotabato City.]
In 2021, the TESD-BARMM received a medallion of excellence in carpentry at the Philippine Skills Competition. TESD-BARMM hopes of receiving similar recognition at the national level next year.
“Lalaban parin tayo kasi hindi tayo nagkukulang, at nag-iisip tayo kung paano natin ma-improve yung ating training deliveries at maka-produce ng quality graduates,” she added.
[We will continue to fight because we are not lacking, and we are thinking about how we can improve our training deliveries and produce quality graduates.]
Jestoni Ferrero, a 21-year-old competitor from Valdez Mother Child Asian College Foundation Inc. in President Quirino Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, expressed his enthusiasm to win the competition.
“Pursigidong-pursigido ako na manalo dahil lagi po kaming naga-training ni Sir then sinusunod ko po lahat ng sinasabi niya. Bilang isang trainee kailangan makinig ka sa nagsasabi sayo nang sa ganoon matuto ka po,” Ferrero said.
[I am determined to win because I always train with my coach, and I follow everything he says. As a trainee, you need to listen to those who are instructing you so that you can learn.]
Provincial skills competition focal chairperson Engr. Rasul Datukali stressed that the skills competition serves to measure excellence and encourage graduates and the young individuals to transform their passions into professions.
“The level of competition at the province may inspire many young people who see it, to consider pursuing these skills themselves, to set up businesses with skills at their heart,” said Datukali. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
