Maasim mayor bullish on town's progress and development

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 29, 2010) – Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro believes that his town would surge its way to further progress and development as he joined the formal launching of the first Technical and Vocational Competence Center in Sarangani province held at Mangelen Integrated School of barangay Kamanga Tuesday (September 28).

“Through this Competence Center, it is my hope that this will be the start of a venture on a much wider vision of the town’s future,” Zamorro said.

The center aims to foster world-class manpower resource that would be responsive to the call for meaningful livelihood and entrepreneurship and dedicated to the promotion of technical and vocational skills.

“Pupusta tayo sa edukasyon, ang center na ito ay isa lamang sa mga tulong mula sa mga private sector na habambuhay na magagamit ng mga kabataan at lalong-lalo na ang mga out-of-school youth dito sa entire Maasim,” said Governor Migs Dominguez.

The center offers NC-II courses in industrial welding, electrical installation and maintenance, and also courses like plumbing, masonry, and construction painting for out-of-school youth and high school students of Maasim who are willing to be called highly skilled professionals.

“Nagpapasalamat ako ng malaki sa Conal dahil natupad nila ang kanilang pangako tulad ng building na ito ngayon at hiling ko sa lahat ng kabataan na huwag natin sayangin ang pagkakataon dahil matagal na natin itong pinangarap,” said Danrib Macagcalat, barangay chairman of Kamanga.

The students of the center would have the opportunity to acquire modern and relevant technical and vocational skills that will improve their employability locally and anywhere in the world.

The fast pace of technological change and the need to promote entrepreneurship calls for a high demand for local skilled manpower thus the center was established as a response to such changes. “Sa pamamagitan ng center na ito, mababawasan na ang drop-out rate dahil makakapag-aral na ang mga out-of-school youth sa Tec-Voc Center dito sa Maasim,” Schools Division Superintendent Deborah Adrales stressed.

The center aims to provide a reliable foundation for a world-class skilled worker or vocational entrepreneur.
It is a joint project of Conal Holdings Corporation, Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Through the Maasim district and Mangelen Integrated School, DepEd will administer the center while TESDA will design the curriculum and instructional materials.

Lately, new partners gave technical and logistics support from Golden State College, Alcantara Foundation, Mahintana Foundation and RD Foundation.

Just recently, RD Gensan Shipyard donated steel cabinet and stand fan for the Municipal Assessor’s Office of Maasim. The RD Group of Companies has been extending their outreach program in the town.

“We understand your present situation after what happened to your municipal building, at least in our little way, we could extend our help for you,” said Erwin Sarne, general manager of RD Gensan Shipyard.

The Maasim Technical and Vocational Competence Center is a key component of Conal Holdings Corporation’s community development program.

“Nagplano rin kami na mag offer ng short courses intended sa mga kababaihan dito sa Maasim at mag-sponsor din ang Conal ng medical mission particular dito sa barangay Tinoto,” Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Falgui disclosed.

Conal funded the construction of the building, situated at the back of Mangelen Integrated School, and acquisition of equipment.

The center stands on a one-hectare property donated by the prominent and civic-minded Mangelen Family at barangay Kamanga. “Layunin talaga ng pamilya namin ang makatulong sa kapwa sa kahit anong paraan laong-lalo na sa mga mamamayan dito sa Maasim,” according to businessman Bong Mangelen. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Joel C. Pinos)