ILOILO CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA6) - - As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office in Western Visayas on Monday recognized the significant and valuable contributions of partners and stakeholders across the region in the implementation and accomplishment of its mandate.

Regional Director Gaspar Gayona expressed his gratitude and further encouraged stakeholders to continue forging partnership with them in the implementation of the agency's various programs geared towards the delivery of Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) for a quality assured skills development of the workforce in the region during the 25th TESDA Silver Anniversary Partners' Appreciation and Awards held here.

Assisted by the directors from the different provincial TESDA offices, Gayona presented the plaques of appreciation to awardees during the ceremony attended by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. and officials of other national government agencies in the region.

The regional awardees are: Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores for the Kabalikat award; Jennifer M. Wong and Donnabelle Sollesta as Tagsanay awardees; Gerald Yabut (Wage-Employed Category) and Arnold Casas (Self-Employed Category) as Idols ng TESDA 2019 awardees; and Donnabelle Sollesta, Ma. Theresa Palmaira and Lowela Camarista as Onsite Competency Lead Assessor awardees.

Kabalikat Award recognizes and honors TESDA's outstanding partners from the private firms/companies, local government units, legislative partners national government agencies for their contribution and participation in the implementation and promotion of TVET in respective sector.

On the other hand, Tagsanay Award is a recognition and incentives to trainers from private and public technical vocational institutions and TESDA Technology Institutions who have exceeded the set of requirements for TVET trainers and have demonstrated competencies beyond expectations.

Also, this is to encourage government and private institutions to provide high quality technical education and skills development opportunities.

The Idols ng TESDA award is bestowed to graduates of technical education and skills development program who have attained skills excellence and success in their chosen occupation and contributed to the economic growth in their communities.

Onsite Competency Lead Assessor is in line with the implementation of the Overseas Assessment program, a flagship programs of the agency that intends to assess and certify overseas Filipino workers in different countries.

TESDA 6 also cited the invaluable support rendered by partner stakeholders both from the government and non-government organizations.

Among the awardees from media are Radyo Pilipinas, Bombo Radyo, GMA-DYSI, IBC-TV 12, Daily Guardian, Panay News, Philippine News Agency and Philippine Information Agency regional office and Capiz provincial office.

Loyalty awards were also given to employees for their dedication and unwavering commitment to serve the agency for more than 10 years. (JBG/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)