DAVAO CITY: The regional office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) have partnered to provide skills training to former rebels, Indigenous Peoples and their dependents.

Tesda and the 10ID signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to bolster the skills training through scholarship programs and community-based training to qualified individuals at Camp General Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao De Oro early this week.

The MoU also signifies their commitment to support the establishment of community enterprises from the Barangay Development Program priority areas and communities from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the region.

The agreement focuses on various technical education and training initiatives including the development and mobilization of community-based trainers, the establishment of social enterprise development facilities, the sharing of equipment for training, competency assessment, and certification.

It also aims to empower local communities by providing them with the necessary skills and resources to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. By combining the expertise of Tesda in technical education and skills development with the presence and support of 10ID with initiative seeking to promote peace, stability, and economic growth in the region.

Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, commander of the 10ID, said that the partnership with Tesda in the region is very timely and important.

'This memorandum of understanding with Tesda will strengthen our cooperation and joint efforts by providing technical education, especially in far-flung and Indigenous Peoples communities, as well as preventing the resurgence of insurgency that has been our problem for the past five decades,' Niembra said in a statement.