THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Negros Occidental, in partnership with Sagay City Government and iHome, awarded 10 duplex-type permanent shelters to 20 families in Barangay Old Sagay, Sagay City recently.

This is under the agency’s program called Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program-Training Cum Production (YYRP-TCP).

Mayor Alfredo Marañon III led the awarding ceremony along with Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (2nd district, Negros Occidental), Tesda-Aklan Director Joel Villagracia and Tesda-Negros Occidental Director Jimmicio Daoaten.

The recipient-families have already transferred to their new and permanent houses following the formal turnover ceremony.

The turned over houses are called “Bagong Bahay, Bagong Buhay, Bagong Pag-asa.”

Tesda, in a statement, said it is one of the agencies which immediately responded and implemented projects and programs to provide support for the rehabilitation and recovery of Yolanda-affected communities.

Aside from shelter project, the agency also implemented skills training in construction qualifications and other livelihood skills training programs.

These provided the beneficiaries with opportunities for wage and self-employment, it said.

In Negros Occidental, several training programs have been conducted particularly in the northern part of the province.

Meanwhile, prior to the turnover in Sagay City, about 30 affected families in Manapla, Cadiz City and Escalante City also received shelters.

This was also under the rehabilitation and recovery program of the agency. (EPN)