February 22, 2022 | Isabela City, Basilan – TESDA Region IX (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) is finally opening its own Isabela City office soon! This was disclosed in a meeting held Tuesday by Ms Jayne Amarado, Administrative Officer V and TESDA’s point person for the City, with partner agencies and representatives of the academic community of Isabela de Basilan in attendance.

The physical presence of a TESDA office attached to TESDA Region IX will facilitate assessment and certification of competencies of middle-level skilled workers (the Philippine TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System or PTCACS is an assessment process seeking to determine whether the graduate or worker can perform to the standards expected in the workplace based on defined competency standards. Certification is provided to those who meets the competency standards, thus ensuring the productivity, quality and global competitiveness of our local workers.) as well as the rollout of the agency’s array of special programs.

In synergy with partner agencies, DTI R9, DOLE Isabela de Basilan, Isabela City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and HAPIsabela Local Economic Devt and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), as well as public and private educational institutions offering TESDA courses, graduates and completers shall be (1) provided with product marketing assistance by accessing the City’s HAPISABIDA SHOWROOM, and (2) provided access to employment thru jobs and skills matching surveys and placement to fully complement and fill the needs of the local job market. Moreover, (3) special skills trainings shall likewise be available for specific demographic groups such as PWDs, senior citizens, mothers, etc..

Opening a TESDA office in Isabela City, is one of many priority offices identified by City Mayor Sitti Djalia A Turabin-Hataman as pivotal to the continued growth of the city both as an economic dynamo in the region, as well as a steady source for well-trained middle-level workers necessary to power an already fast-growing and progressive local economy.

The 3rd Most Improved Component City in the Philippines’ Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2021 – Isabela City fully aims to further scale greater economic heights in 2022 by ensuring that a skilled labor pool will be provided with opportunities for entrepreneurial growth as well as gainful employment locally.

Towards the end of synergizing and realizing all-of-government plans, programs and activities to better serve the economic sector, the City’s HAPISABIDA NEGOSYO AND TRABAHO CENTER located at the newly-constructed CyberZone Bldg., Barinaga St., Marketsite, this city, shall house the City’s Local Economic Affairs Development Shared Service Facility (LEAD – SSF) co-managed by PESO & LEDIPO, along with partner agencies DTI, DOLE, TESDA & PCCI.

TESDA used to be an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), but has since been transferred, first under the Office of the President, and now currently under the wing of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). TESDA Basilan (BARMM) also has its offices located in Isabela City, where most of the province’s tertiary academic institutions are situated.

The brief meeting concluded with discussions on several issues and concerns raised by academic institutions in attendance.