BAGUIO CITY – For its efforts in advancing technical-vocational education, Baguio City copped this year’s National Kabalikat Award in the Local Government Unity City Level category given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The city received the award during the 21st TESDA anniversary last Aug. 25 at the TESDA central office in Taguig City.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the award is timely as the city is celebrating the 106th charter day anniversary on Sept. 1 with the theme, “Nurturing the Culture of Caring and Sharing towards Competitiveness” to stress on the need for sustained teamwork among the various sectors of the society to propel Baguio’s growth as a viable and competent city.
He said the award is a testimony of the teamwork between the city departments, TESDA and other sectors in strengthening tech-voc education to benefit more people.
The city was earlier adjudged as winner in the regional level of the awards program.
In bringing home the national award, the city bested other finalists including Santiago City of Region II, Iloilo City of Region VI, Dipolog of Region IX, Ozamis of Region X, Pasig of National Capital Region, Surigao of CARAGA and Masbate of Region V.
The city was nominated to the awards program by the TESDA Baguio-Benguet under director Angela Gabriel based on the data provided by the official of the city planning and development under officer Evelyn Cayat.
The city’s feat was based on its accomplishment of providing employment facilitation services to a total of 216,125 beneficiaries that led to the employment of 134,408 beneficiaries from 2012 to 2014.
It also conducted training and assessment to 5,665 beneficiaries through TESDA and 220,788 beneficiaries through the city social welfare and development office, Alternative Learning System Dept. of Education, Baguio City Police Office and Bureau of Jail Management and the Gender and Development Council.
The city allocated a total of P49,716,985 to the different departments to implement these programs.
The Kabalikat award is one of TESDA’s reward mechanisms to recognize its partners in the promotion of TVET.
The nominees were judged according to the following criteria: number of persons benefited in terms of training and assessment, investment to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), number of TVET graduates provided employment facilitation services, continuous support to TVET, provision of employment opportunities in the locality, compliance with TESDA requirements and scope of funding support./A Refuerzo
