Laoag city: Graduate-beneficiaries of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for expanding access to training which equipped them with new skills and renewed hope for better employment opportunities in the Philippines and abroad. President Marcos graced the TESDA Norte National Certification Level 2 (NC2) mass graduation at Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium in Barangay Nuestra Se±ora del Rosario Poblacion, Laoag City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marie Viorge, 24, completed the TESDA Japanese Language and Culture course. The recent civil engineering graduate hopes her language skills will secure employment opportunities in Japan. "I would like to thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the TESDA program for providing me the opportunity to be able to study Japanese. Thank you for the allowance. And for me to be able to take another job option. And for me to get another job and to be able to help my family," Viorge said in an interview with the Presidential News Desk.
She also has prior training in the Chinese language, further strengthening her qualifications for overseas employment that will support her family. "Sila (parents) ang nagpalaki sa akin. So gusto ko naman na mabigyan ng opportunity para sa kanila (They are the ones who raised me. So, I want to provide opportunities for them)," Viorge said. "I am always thankful for the opportunity na maibibigay sa akin (that will be given to me). If possible, I will be looking for another course sa (with) TESDA in the future," she added.
Learning additional skills is never too late for Edna Myrna Don, 62, even after her retirement from abroad. "We came from Yemen and met my husband, a CPA (certified public accountant) in Sana Island. Worked for 20 years there," Don said. "I raised my children abroad. They came home to the Philippines for college." Don plans to teach in a Japanese language school owned by her friend. "Mr. President, I am really grateful that you are our elected President. My husband and I really love the programs," Don said.
Laoag resident Precious Pearl Roraldo, 49, employee of Far East Computer Technology, said she had completed caregiver and housekeeping courses. Once a full-time housewife, she is now pursuing new opportunities for herself and her family. She hopes to become a TESDA trainer and help equip others with skills for employment and livelihood. "I thought wala na ako mapapasukan kasi may edad na po ako (I wouldn't be able to find a job anymore because of my age). I was also an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) before in Dubai. Also took up trainor classes for TESDA. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay President Marcos and sa TESDA (I would like to thank President Marcos and TESDA)," Roraldo said. "At my age of 49, pwede pa rin ako magturo bilang trainor ng TESDA (I can still teach as a TESDA trainer). I took up several classes."
