TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will open its doors to those wanting to turn a new leaf.
Tesda regional director for the Cordillera Genaro Ronald Ibay said skills training for drug dependents will be open throughout the region with its pilot project in Ifugao kicking off with career coaching.
Ibay said the program gathers drug dependents identified and have surrendered with authorities to undergo a career assessment to be able to ascertain what field they can excel in.
The Tesda director added there are four pilot areas in Ifugao for the career coaching by Tesda in support to rehabilitation efforts for dependents.
Tesda has been tapped by the new administration to introduce skills training and tap potentials of dependents and make them realize their value to their families and to society.
Mandated to promote and implement skills training programs in the country, Tesda through the years, has produced world-class graduates who have found employment locally or abroad.
TESDA is coordinating all the regional and provincial directors of the skills development agency to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and Department of Interior and Local Government for the training efforts.
Tesda's effort is also supported by the Church in the Summer Capital, opening rehabilitation center comprised of a three-month therapy session divided into three parts, which ideally aims to bring back the drug dependents into the society.
Ibay said Tesda is interested to become a partner to the church led effort.
An estimated 7,000 drug addicts have surrendered to authorities in the Cordillera region while in Baguio City, there are over 800 and still counting.