TACLOBAN CITY– The Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) in Leyte has vowed to initiate more innovative and relevant technical vocational education and training (TVET) in 2025 to meet the evolving demands of the labor market.

One of these innovations is the current trend in the education sector to embed TVET in the senior high school program of the Department of Education as presented in a recent Stakeholders Forum and Partners Recognition ceremony conducted by TESDA Leyte.

The embedment of TVET qualifications in all Senior High School tracks follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve the senior high school graduates’ employability and to promote lifelong learning.

By embedding at least one Training Regulation in every grade level in the SHS, a learner may earn two National Certificates (NCs). The goal is to make learners workforce-ready and become employable.

The embedment of TVET in SHS academic strands is also a response to the findings of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, entitled “Employability of the Senior High School Graduates: Evidence from the Labor Force Survey”, and the DOLE -JobStreet Senior High School Employability Survey, both of which suggest the necessity of reevaluating the work preparation element in the Senior High School curriculum.

The embedment of the TVET program in the revised senior high school curriculum is contained in a joint memorandum circular signed last year between TESDA and DepEd.
Meanwhile, TESDA Leyte Provincial Director Vivian E. Abueva emphasized on the value of collaboration in undertaking the wide opportunities for TVET graduates and national certificate holders both local and abroad.

She noted that the successful implementation of TESDA programs in Leyte has been made possible through convergence efforts and support from the stakeholders sharing the same vision and goals – inclusive and sustainable growth. The convergence efforts and support from the stakeholders sharing the same vision and goals take an important role.

TESDA’s eight-point agenda includes: Access to TVET; Behavior and Mindset Change; Competency Standards and TRs for New and Higher-Level Qualifications; Demand-Driven and Data-Driven TVET; Employment Outcomes; Flexible Learning, and Facilities; Global Competitiveness, and Good Housekeeping; and, Harmonization with SHS Curriculum, Ladderization with Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning Pathways.

TACLOBAN CITY – Baybay City has been officially declared under stable internal peace and security condition (SIPSC), joining a growing list of local government units in Eastern Visayas that have achieved insurgency-free status.

Mayor Jose Carlos Cari hailed this achievement as a significant milestone for the city, paving the way for greater development and improving the lives of its residents.

“Being insurgency-free is a major step toward a more progressive city. This status will attract more investments, improve security, and enhance public services for our people,” he said.

Cari also expressed gratitude to the stakeholders who contributed to this success and vowed to sustain the city’s peace and security beyond his administration.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, acknowledged the collective effort that led to Baybay’s declaration as insurgency-free.

“The declaration of Baybay as under SIPSC signifies our hard-earned victory in securing peace. Some of our comrades have even paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, commander of the 14th Infantry Battalion, and PCol. Dionisio Apas Jr., director of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, also attended the event as signatories of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing the city’s status.

After the formal declaration, officials and attendees signed a pledge of commitment and released white doves, symbolizing peace and a new beginning for Baybay City.

Baybay City now joins the ranks of other insurgency-free areas in Leyte, including Palompon; Matag-ob; Merida; Isabel; Hilongos; and Burauen.

The SIPSC declaration reaffirms the ongoing efforts of the government, military, and local communities in ensuring long-term peace and security across the province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A 36-year-old salesman was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital after a self-accident along R.V. Fulache Street in Hilongos, Leyte, at around 10:15 pm on January 24.

Hilongos Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Chief of Police, Major Edwin Tolibas, identified the victim as alias “Tim”, a resident of Barangay Cansirong, Maasin City.

According to the police investigation, the victim was riding a Honda XRM 125 motorcycle, blue and black in color, and was on his way to his work area when the accident occurred.

The police reported that the victim was traveling along the national road toward Hindang, Leyte when he lost control of his motorcycle, causing him to crash onto the road and fall into a flood control construction site.

The victim sustained severe injuries to different parts of his body and was rushed to Hilongos District Hospital, where attending physician Dr. Ariel Z. Hembra declared him dead on arrival.

His body was later taken to a local funeral home for a possible autopsy, while his motorcycle was brought to the Hilongos Municipal Police Station (MPS) for safekeeping.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)