MANILA – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is providing relief efforts in areas hit by Typhoon Odette and will conduct construction-related skills training.

Regional and provincial offices have started “TESDAmayan” activities in the communities affected by last week’s Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao, according to its news release on Friday.

“TESDAmayan” is the agency’s banner program that aims to aid communities affected by any crisis brought about by natural calamities, disasters, or any other untoward incidents which causes displacement.

In Region 6 (Western Visayas), field office workers were deployed to help rebuild damaged buildings and conduct clearing operations.

Likewise, Provincial Training Center (PTC) – Kabankalan in Negros Occidental installed solar-powered charging station for residents who need to recharge their mobile phones.

In Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), food packs, clean water, and used clothing were distributed while other interventions from TESDA provincial offices are being prepared

PTC – Agusan Del Norte in Caraga (Region 13) provided food, bottled water, and masks to 225 individuals in Barangay Humilog, Remedios T. Romualdez on December 18.

In a memorandum, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña reiterated his previous directive to all regional and provincial offices to prepare training programs in areas affected by disasters and natural calamities.

Field offices, according to Lapeña, shall provide community-based training and training on construction-related qualifications to make the affected residents capable of rebuilding their houses.

“I have directed our Regional and Provincial Offices to expedite the provision of training on construction-related courses such as Carpentry and Electrical Installation so the displaced residents can immediately rebuild their homes. They will also get an allowance of PHP160 per day,” he said.

“Since it will also take some time before electric power is restored in these areas, there will also be training on solar panel installation, the Photovoltaic Systems Installation, so that solar power can be generated,” Lapeña added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in areas battered by Typhoon Odette, particularly Mimaropa (Region 4-B), Western Visayas, Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao (Region 10), and Caraga.

“Despite the pandemic, TESDA is here to provide relevant training programs as part of the collective action to support the rehabilitation of these disaster-stricken areas and ensure the well-being of all affected Filipinos,” Lapeña said.