About 1,600 TESDA scholars braved the rains brought by typhoon Mario last Friday, Sept. 19 to attend the Scholars' Forum.  The event organized by Padre Garcia, Batangas was held at the Cultural Center Gym of Padre Garcia from 9am-2pm.

The event featured the presentation of People's Resource Initiatives for Development (PRIDE), a mutlipurpose cooperative whose mandate is to place skilled workers locally. Headed by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ballesteros, PRIDE processes the membership of TESDA scholars and negotiate for their placement in the various industrial parks and estates that shall match the scholars skills.  To date, PRIDE employs about 3,500 workers nationwide.

According to TESDA Batangas Provincial Director Carlos Flores, FAST logistics, a company based in Muntinlupa interviewed 50 ongoing scholars of Institucion Technologia de Padre Garcia and committed to hire the Forklift NCII scholars after their graduation.  This company is currently in need of 3000 heavy equiupment operators.  FAST, TESDA BAtangas and Institucion Technologia de Padre Garcia  will sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the training and sure placement of HEO TESDA scholars.

15 private TVIs participated in the event sending skilled workers along the areas of tourism, call center, heavy equipment, construction, electronics, metals and engineering and ICT.   The office of Cong Mark Llandro "Dong" Mendoza provided the food, tables and chairs for all the participants while the LGU provided the venue.

Cong. Dong Mendoza provided cash rewards to 30 FILE TC electronics scholars from Lobo Batangas who had to ride backhoe to cross the river in order to attend the event.  About 100 participants received cash raffleprizes during the event.

The event was a huge success.