TESDA IS THE ANSWER

Jobless, Hopeless, a Nobody Turned World Class
A true-to-life story of Nasroden M. Alawi
Marawi City, June 18, 2009

I was then a scholar in a State University taking post-graduate studies to pursue a dream for a career profession in teaching when in the final phase of enrolling a thesis requirement everything has stopped as taking the subject will cost me multiple times higher than what I could afford. That was in 2002 and the cost gets higher by the year against the earning that is getting lower instead. The stumbling block has reduced me into a hopeless loser, a jobless nobody, an added burden to a destitute family. The huge investment in time and money for a dreamed career went down the drain for a fraction of shortfall I couldn’t accept happening. Seven years has dragged my life meaningless and I’m coming out of age until TESDA happens.

The Scholarship grant for a half-year course of Massage Therapy I benefited from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has changed the whole world in me from being a frustrated professional into a happy career-provider of a world-class standard. It was a brilliant way of fast-tracking a dream profession exclusive from TESDA and never-known to so many people like me who happens to be constricted to the old confines of formal education.

I have then heard of TESDA hence the word is a common talk but I never realized the magic that brings hope and success to so many people in this poor country. I started witnessing that fact late last year when I entered the so-called “world of Tech-Voc” in the Cali Paramedical College, a training provider referred to by the TESDA provincial office who granted my scholarship application. I’m taking the course as my second option and a sort of buying time while in the waiting for opportunity. But the thought has changed the very first day of orientation which is an induction program taking place prior the training.

The whole-day process involving some 60 Scholars was a unique experience and a real barrier-breaking in the learning environment especially in the channels of communication. Anybody participating would not think of the school as mere requirement and a domain ruled by boring teachers feeding knowledge and deciding fate. The Cali School is an equitable teaching-learning community in a competitive harmony of teachers and learners with diverse potentialities sharing knowledge and skills among each other. I was overwhelmed by the spontaneous dynamics seem so free and not structured. There and then I feel in me a career coming to life.

4 MONTHS IN THE MAKING

The course I’m having is funded for six (6) months through the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program in the TESDA. It cos….

IN A RACE FOR PGS!

NOT SO SIMPLE are the requisites for the schools to be awarded with the Pangulong GLORIA Scholarships (PGS) as this province is marked for massive corruption, but the Provincial Director of Tesda, PD Tarhata Mapandi has her own way of ensuring implementation.

IT WAS THE SECOND MONTH of the Summer training in the Cali Paramedical College (Cali) and the President, Dr. Camal Cali is getting the highest level of blood pressure for the year.

The cause of his grief is the delay of the students allowance from Tesda. Day after day, Dr. Cali is confronted by the scholars’ problem like the transportation expense in getting to school. The Scholars have signed a contract stating their scholarship is forfeited for absences.

But most distressful of all are the accusing fingers of the Scholars’ Parents casually spreading gossip that the Scholarship funds have been corrupted by the school.

What really happening was the funds is in the Tesda but it cannot be disbursed without completing mountainous papers to fill-up and signed and every document is authenticated. The Pangulong GLORIA Scholarships (PGS) required new process that is known to be foolproof and the Provincial Director is taking it seriously. Since the start of the first batch in late March Cali papers have been returned by Tesda for not having satisfied the reporting standard, not only twice but for the seventh-time.

A fly-by-night venture wishing luck in the PGS funds would not survive the Tesda scrutiny and this part of the ARMM known to be witty for corruption is having a graft-busting Tesda Executive that rules.

GLORY BE THY GLORIA!

STUDENTS each receiving P7,000.00 cash allowance from the ‘Pangulong GLORIA Scholarships’ are glorifying the President.

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Scholarship funds from Tesda is making a euphoria in this part of the Muslim region as hundreds of students are receiving cash allowances by the thousands of pesos each. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who’s the scholarship program is being named, is venerated by the Maranao for allowing millions of money flowing down the beneficiaries untouched by corruption.

The Cali Paramedical College (Cali) in Marawi, a school providing short courses for Tesda is giving the first half of the P7,000.00 cash allowance for each of the 300 Scholars taking a 6-month medical training. The amount has equivalent billing for the school fees making a total grant of more than 11 thousand pesos for the scholar or about 4 million pesos government grants for the summer in the Cali.

This June opening of classes, the school is expected to double the number of scholars receiving grants from the PGS, a newly enhanced financing scheme in the Tesda scholarship program. Cali is taking pilot implementation of PGS in the province.

All other schools providing training for Tesda are also receiving the grant. This is an added provision to the free training, a scheme intended to ensure a student continue schooling until they acquire competent skills for a job on the waiting as Tesda executives are harping solution to the country’s job-labor mismatch.

CALI PARAMEDICAL COLLEGE: Objective in the Next Academic Year

Transforming the academe into a teaching-learning laboratory that enhances technical and vocational education and training for sustainable development in Muslim communities.

GEM MINING SCHOLARSHIP: Applicants for 2nd Screening Process

ATTENTION APPLICANTS FROM LANAO DEL SUR
Below is the Summary Report of the FINAL LIST FOR 2ND SCREENING PROCESS on the GEM Mining Scholarship Application. For more information, you may contact any of the following:

Official Contact Persons:

President - Dr. CAMAL A. CALI, (0905) 922-6758
Program-in-Charge - Prof. SALMAN AGUILAR, (0926) 390-9025
Coordinator for the Beneficiaries - Mr. ANSHAMER D. BARA-ACAL, (0926) 928-0706
Encoder – Ms. NAJMAH M. MACAPUNDAG, (0909) 720-1720

Cali Foundation-Philippines
OUTREACH & INFORMATION SERVICES
Moncado Kadingilan, Marawi City

APPLICANTS FOR GEM MINING SCHOLARSHIP
January 20, 2009

SUMMARY (78 Total Applicants)

Applicants with CGPA = 50
Applicants with GPA = 63
Without GRADES = 15

CGPA Bracket (50):
1.701 – 1.981 = 4
2.0 – 2.976 = 24
3.016 – 3.747 = 22

GPA Bracket (63):
1.750 – 1.984 = 7
2.016 – 2.875 = 43
3.669 – 4.375 = 13

Without Grades Supplied (15):
Licensed Engineer = 1
Engineering Graduate = 2
5th Year Level = 3
4th Year Level = 5
3rd Year Level = 4

Date : February 20, 2009
Submitted by : (Sgd.) Prof. SALMAN D. AGUILAR
Prepared by : (Sgd.) Ms. NAJMAH M. MACAPUNDAG
Checked by : (Sgd.) Mr. ANSHAMER D. BARA-ACAL
Noted by : (Sgd.) DR. CAMAL A. CALI

REQUIRED TO SUBMIT GRADES & GPA, ASAP!

USAID-GEM MINING SCHOLARSHIP
Assisted by the Cali Foundation
SCREENING RESULTS OF APPLICANTS: 71/123

Names of Applicants who have passed the Initial Screening on February 13, 2009
-- REQUIRED TO SUBMIT GRADES & GPA, ASAP!
Contact Dr. Camal Cali at (0905) 922-6758
or the Student Coordinator Anshamer Bara-acal at the College of Engineering in MSU-Main.

1 Abbas D. Azis
2 Abdillah D. Usman
3 Abdulazis D. Dimasar
4 Abdullah Sarip
5 AbdulMohaimen U. Mala
6 AbdulRasid H. Rasid
7 Abulcair Lindao
8 Abulhassan D. Abdulmalik
9 Ahmad Mohammadali
10 Aisah S. H.Gapor
11 Akisa Dalidig
12 Alihasan C. Guro
13 Alinader Sarangani
14 Alinair C. Guro
15 Amenoding I. Makarimbang
16 Amer Nedhamie Macapaar
17 Aminoden S. Macabato
18 Ansary R. Sanggoyod
19 Anshamer D. Bara-acal
20 Anshawer D. Bara-acal
21 Anwar Ampatua
22 Arsadie Munte
23 Ashnawi Naga
24 Ashrinah H. Omar
25 Ayman I. H. Ali
26 Fahad S. Abantas
27 Fairosah Tabuacar
28 Hassanal S. Aliasgar
29 Ilias Macarandas, Jr.
30 Jalal M. Macagaan
31 Jalanie O. Basman
32 Jamerah Macapantar
33 Jamjoom Marmay
34 Janaluddin Ambor
35 Janifah Hassan
36 Janorah L. Hassan
37 Javer Monib
38 Jehan Rasuman
39 Johari M. Dimalna
40 Lailah Balindong
41 Mahid P. H. Camid
42 Mahid Pandapatan
43 Moh’d Jalaluddin Mandangan
44 Mohammad Adib A. Badron
45 Mohammad Faisal Mudasir
46 Mohammad Hanif M. Lomondaya
47 Nafisah L. Abbas
48 Namfal Abdulkaled
49 Nooman Malim
50 Norsida L. Abbas
51 Nur-Ashkany Hussein
52 Omar Nasief Macasindel
53 Osman M. Sarip
54 Rajib M. Bubong
55 Rayhana Pangaibat
56 Rohaina M. Ramos
57 Safrodin Alip Sadic
58 Said Sultan
59 Sainola Candidato
60 Samanoden Mohaimin
61 Shydomar Basar
62 Sittie Rainie Alangadi
63 Taher B. Taha
64 (Name subject verification)
65 (Name subject verification)
66 (Name subject verification)
67 (Name subject verification)
68 (Name subject verification)
69 (Name subject verification)
70 (Name subject verification)
71 (Name subject verification)

HUMABOL SA DEADLINE FEB. 12, 2009: Apply through TEXT at (0905) 922-6758

USAID-GEM MINING SCHOLARSHIP
FREE TRAVEL for School Entrance Test to Manila, Baguio or Cebu!

Just submit your NAME, Current School, Course, Year Level, & Your Contact Number to the Cali Foundation-Dr. Camal Cali subject verification, then, YOU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FUNDS FOR ENTRANCE TEST to the school of your choice in Manila, Baguio or Cebu!

----------------------------------------------
BELOW COPY OF INSTRUCTION VIA EMAIL FROM USAID-GEM Received February 9, 2009:

Dear Dr. Cali,

First of all, thank you very much for your help. I know you are very busy, and are helping purely out of your concern for others.

Applicants for B.S. in mining engineering scholarship need to compile and send to GEM only the following three initial documents:

1. Certified true copy of transcript of records/grades from school where he or she is enrolled, or graduated

2. Certificate of good moral character from present or latest school

3. Brief application letter addressed to the GEM Program, stating the reason for choosing B.S. in Mining Engineering course (job opportunities in the mining industry), and preferred/target school (Cebu Institute of Technology, Saint Louis University, or U.P. Diliman).

As soon as I receive the above documents, I will send to the target school/s. Depending on feedback from the target school/s, GEM will fund qualified applicants to travel to Manila, Baguio or Cebu, to take the necessary tests and/or undergo interviews. It will be nice but not necessary for GEM to interview applicants at this time.

I would be grateful if you can provide a list of applicants (name, current school, current course, current year level, and telephone number) before Friday (Feb. 13), as I am preparing a progress report on mining scholarships. Women are eligible to apply.

Cesar

GEM3 MINING SCHOLARSHIPS

The Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM3) Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is looking for students from under-represented communities and/or conflit-affect areas, who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mining Engineering, starting in Academic Year 2009-2010. (B.S. in Mining Engineering is a five-year program.) Candidates for scholarship will include current enrollees in various engineering courses who wish to shift to mining engineering, or graduating high school students, including those from GEMsupported schools throughout Mindanao.

Objectives of mining scholarships:

1. To enable scholarship recipients to earn a B.S. In Mining Engineering; and

2. To give students from historically underrepresented communities the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the expansion of the mining industry.

Financial assistance:

Full or partial tuition fees
Living allowance
Dormitory or housing allowance
Transportation between residence and school
Supplies and materials
Laboratory fees
Miscellaneous fees
If appropriate, air travel from hometown to college or university

Application also available at the Cali Foundation located in Moncado Kadingilan, Marawi City.