Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Search for RP's 'best mason' on By Grace L. Plata
THE search is on for the country's best mason with a hundred thousand pesos awaiting this year's winner.
Locally, the annual search and recognition for Southern Mindanao's outstanding mason who shall represent the region at the national level has already started officially on April 14.
"This is mainly aimed to enhance and promote the image of the masons and the masonry trade. The search and recognition also recognizes masons who are hard-working and persevering, striving to continuously improve their knowledge and skills, showing pride and dedication in their work, and responsible members of their respective families and communities," Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) 11 information officer Mafel Negrido-Gamale said in Monday's phone interview.
The search, which is one of the elements of the "galing Mason Program," is a joint initiative of Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Philippine Constructors' Association (PCA), and the Association of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW), formerly National Union of Building Contractors and Workers.
The award, dubbed as the "galing Mason Award (gMA), shall only accept entries through nomination.
"Qualified for nomination are masons who are industrious, who have demonstrated technical competence and maturity at work, and who exemplify discipline and commitment to work, family and community," Gamale said.
"The nominees can either be male or female, must be Filipino citizens and residents in their respective communities for at least one year, must be at least 25 years old, must be holders of valid Tesda skills certificate on masonry or civil works trade, must be of good moral character as certified by two local associations, and must be practicing masons at the time of nomination," she added.
Qualified to nominate are any duly registered organizations (company, civic and professional organizations, community associations, NGOs, people's organizations, LGUs, and government agencies) that can provide written background reference and information about the nominee.
All nominations shall be done by filling up the Nomination Form and the Nominee’s Data Sheet, which are both available at all Tesda offices, HPI plant and sales offices, PCA regional chapter offices, and ACIW regional chapter offices (which are found at NCR and Davao only). Nominations can only be submitted at Tesda provincial offices.
"The screening of nominees in the provincial level will be through the nominees' portfolio of certificates and required documents. Only the top two nominees per province will be allowed to compete in the regional level. All the regional level nominees shall be deployed in a project site for two days where they will be demonstrating their skills on Masonry. They will be assessed through an interview and direct observation by a technical team who shall be composed of Tesda -- accredited assessors on Masonry. The regional winner shall represent Southern Mindanao during the national search," Gamale said.
"The award is a way of providing opportunities for masons to enhance their knowledge and skills and their employability potentials, of being recognized for their contribution in building our community and society," she added.
Deadline of submission of entries to the Tesda Provincial Office is on October 15, 2008.
