TESDA Director General Sec. Suharto T. Mangudadatu Visits RTC-KorPhil, Davao

JUST IN – TESDA Director General, Sec. Suharto “Teng” T. Mangudadatu, Ph. D. visited the Regional Training Center – Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center, Davao on Thursday, September 7, 2023 for a meet and greet with the TESDA RTC-KorPhil, Davao personnel.

Together with Sec. Mangudadatu during his visit are the TESDA Region XI Executive Committee (ExCom) members headed by the TESDA Regional Director Ashary A. Banto.

Sec. Mangudadatu was welcomed by the RTC-KorPhil diploma trainees and by the TESDA Davao Region and RTC-KorPhil, Davao employees together with the marching band and majorettes from Buhisan Elementary School. Simultaneously, a cultural dance showcasing the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe by the RTC-KorPhil trainer-trainee dancers also welcomed Sec. Mangudadatu with a bang. After a photo opportunity, the TESDA Director General was introduced to the RTC-KorPhil, Davao facility through a miniature model of the whole Training Center. This was immediately followed by a  commemorative signing of the guest book. 

A Center Tour of the RTC-KorPhil Administrative Building and other trade areas such as the DAIKIN-donated equipment and refurbished the building of the Diploma in Heating, Ventilating, and Airconditioning Technology (DHVACT) and the Diploma in Industrial Automation and Mechatronics Technology (DIAMT) were also showcased with the latter being the delegates during the recently concluded World Skills Competition last July 23-25 2023 at Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. After which, Sec. Teng also visited the Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Technology (DHRT).

After the Center Tour, the program properly started with the acknowledgment of guests and participants by the District Director of the Davao City District Office and the Regional Operations Division (ROD) Chief, Ms. Myrna C. Roa. 

This was then followed by Engr. Constantino B. Panes, Jr. Ed. D. welcoming the Director General and his party. In his speech, Engr. Panes emphasized RTC-KorPhil’s delight with Sec. Teng’s visit at Davao City most especially at the Regional Training Center-KorPhil, Davao. He also expressed RTC-KorPhil’s wholehearted support and dedication to advancing the newly launched NTESDP 2023-2028, the 10-point agenda for TVET of Sec. Teng, and the new TESDA Slogan of, “Sa TESDA, Lingap ay Maaasahan”.

After Engr. Panes’ speech, the RTC-KPVTC, Davao trainees eagerly presented the traditional Korean Fan Dance which amazed the Director General. 

Dir. Ashary A. Banto followed with the introduction of Sec. Teng wherein he lauded the Secretary’s recognitions since starting his term as the new TESDA Director General. 

In his speech, Sec. Mangudadatu highlighted the importance of providing high-quality TVET in order to ready the TVET graduates towards becoming part of a highly competitive, global workforce. He also made emphasis on the importance of reaching the 10-point TVET Agenda, particularly the opportunities presented by Halal TVET; the TVET sa Barangay program; the upskilling of Trainers especially related to area-driven TVET; the alignment of demand and training delivery at the grassroots level; the importance of investing in 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in TVET; and the significance of establishing a system for TVET that would strengthen training delivery, easily facilitate scholarship requests, and hasten TVET system in communities in order to increase TESDA’s scholarship utilization.

Sec. Mangudadatu also re-echoed the new TESDA slogan, “Sa bagong Pilipinas, sa TESDA Lingap ay Maaasahan”, as a call to TESDA employees nationwide to  serve with a heart because he believes that being a trainer and teaching is a compassionate calling. Sec. Teng even remarked that, “ang katapangan (tapang) ay madaming bibili din ng tapang subalit ang kabaitan ay hindi kayang tapatan”, which indeed highlighted serving TESDA and the Filipino people lovingly and without personal interest.

After his speech, Mr. Mikko D. Rosell, DHRT Trainer, and Mr. Jevie C. Lubiano Jr. serenaded Sec. Teng and the guests with a song number.

Dir. Remegias G. Timonio, Ed. D, CEO VI, Provincial Director of Davao del Sur Provincial Office delivered a closing remark thanking the Director General for his visit and commitment to providing a more inclusive and high-quality TVET Training in the region with the intention of serving with a heart.

This meet and greet with the TESDA Director general reignited the hearts of all TESDA Davao Region personnel especially the RTC-KorPhil Family in serving the Filipino people with love and compassion. It is a testament of Sec. Mangudadatu’s commitment to further advancing high-quality TVET not only in Davao Region but also worldwide.

(Photo Courtesy of Engr. Jeric F. Bilita, Mr. Jinro Militar, DIT Team of RTC-KorPhil Davao)