Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Benguet State University (BSU) for the launching of the Project “TuTuKK Danggayan: Sustainable Livelihood for Economic Stability” last July 4, 2023 at the BSU Office of the President.

The said project is about conducting TESDA training for interested students of BSU who are currently enrolled including community stakeholders to enable the participants to acquire foundation skills and competency toward employability and income-generating opportunities.
“This is a very good activity. We need to have more entrepreneurs in our country.” BSU President Felipe Salaing Comila stated in his response to the MOA overview.

BSU, through the Office of Student Services- Student Wellness Service- Guidance and Counseling Unit (OSS-SWS-GCU) and Students with Special Needs and Persons with Disabilities Unit (SSN/PWD) planned and worked out the project with TESDA.
The MOA was signed by TESDA-Cordillera Regional Director Balmyrson M. Valdez and by University President Comila. Moreover, present as witnesses at the said occasion are TESDA-Benguet Provincial Director Jimmisio S. Daoaten, Dr. Sarah M. Palaw-ay, Dr. Angeli T. Austria, and Decimae D. Gayaso.

“Thank you for being our partner. I hope we will have a fruitful and meaningful partnership through the years. Hindi sana matapos ngayon, ituloy-tuloy natin at palawigin pa natin. Not only on those areas [entrepreneurship] but we’ll try to cover as many skills requirement ng ating mga trainees para mas prepared sila sa pagharap sa 21st-century requirements ng mga industry natin,” Valdez stated in his remarks.
“We will have more. We also expect the other campuses [Bokod and Buguias] to respond to our invitation for more engagements,” Daoaten added.

This project aims to address some of the pressing issues besetting the region given this time of pandemic where there is a rising number of out-of-youth, learners who did not continue their studies due to troubling experiences and graduates who are unemployed. Furthermore, this project aims to uplift the motivation of the learners and participants to pursue and succeed in life.

“It would provide skills enhancement training in entrepreneurship for students and the [BSU] community as well. So, part siya ng developmental activities for students who are in need financially and who would like to enhance themselves so that they can be more self-sustaining sa studies nila and also contribute to the community,” Austria ended.