TESDA unveils free skills training to ex-drug users

LAOAG CITY—The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is rolling out free skills training for former drug dependents in Ilocos Norte as part of the government’s community-based rehabilitation program.

In partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units, TESDA provincial director Charito Santos said the skills training aims to help drug surrenders cope up from their bad habits and reform themselves for the better.

Based on the needs of the community and the capacity of learners, former drug users in various parts of the province may avail of the free courses offered by TESDA. Some of the most in demand skills training they availed include carpentry, motorcycle and small engine servicing for men and cookery and bread and pastry for women. Some chose mushroom production.

In Batac City for example, they rained drug users who surrendered on large and small ruminants raising. They later gave successful trainees three goats each and cow as start-up capital.

For Batac City mayor Albert D. Chua, he said the Batac government unit along with the PNP, TESDA, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health are working together to allow drug surrenders to be more active and make them productive by giving them alternative employment opportunities.

“We are grateful for the government’s support to us. To those who have not surrendered yet, we encourage you to surrender now and start a new life free from drugs,” said one of the beneficiaries in Batac City during the distribution of livestock.

Meanwhile, authorities conduct surprise drug testing to those who earlier surrendered here to ensure that they are already free from drugs. (Leilanie G. Adriano)

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