19 soldiers trained on construction skills
Some 19 soldiers from the 52nd Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army were awarded with National Certificates on Wednesday, March 27, after completing technical-vocational training on construction courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The soldiers underwent training on Carpentry NC II, Masonry NC II, and Tile Setting NC II at the Regional Training Center-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) in Buhisan, Tibungco, Davao City.
Mr. Ernesto C. Nadera, Head of the Training Department of RTC-KPVTC, said the concept of the training is to train the soldiers in various construction qualifications and eventually train them to become TESDA trainers so that they may be able to train civilians in remote areas within their jurisdiction.
He explained that these skilled soldiers will help TESDA fulfill its mandate in training people in far-flung communities especially the Indigenous People (IPs) and Former Rebels (FRs).
“The mandate to us TESDA workers is to go beyond our training centers, go beyond the borders of our cities and go beyond the limitations. We are mandated to conduct trainings not only in schools but in communities and reach people in the far-flung areas and the trained soldiers can help us fulfill this mandate,” Nadera said.
TESDA XI Assistant Regional Director Remegias G. Timonio said the training is very timely as the agency intensifies its implementation of programs in line with the Executive Order No. 70 or the Whole of Nation Approach to address the insurgency problem.
He added that TESDA XI will be conducting a Trainers’ Training so the trained soldiers will be certified as TESDA trainers that will enable them to conduct skills training in their respective area of responsibility. The soldiers turned trainers will then be tapped to conduct on-site skills training in Talaingod, Davao del Norte and other parts of the region.
“The battalion will deploy a team of certified skilled engineer soldier to compose a construction team. 
The construction team will then be immersed to the far flung communities showcasing the unconventional capability of the Philippine Army in community development as part of our civil military operations,” Lieutenant Colonel Frederick A. Ancheta, Commanding Officer of the 534th Engineer Battalion of the 52nd Brigrade said.
Ancheta stressed that the skilled soldiers and the would-be trainers will help TESDA in training implementation likewise build structures particularly in geographically isolated areas and conflict-affected communities.
“These TESDA trained engineer soldiers can now be your extension to help accomplish your mission of providing technical education and developing the skills requirement of local communities to help alleviate or reduce poverty of incidence within Davao region,” he added.
