June 05, 2025- The 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (PTESDC) was successfully held on June 5, 2025, at the Civic Center in Alibagu, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Organized by the TESDA Isabela Provincial Office, the meeting brought together key stakeholders from various government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and TESDA, as well as council members representing the Academe/TVET Sector- Vergilio D. Quimba Jr., Employment sector – Zenaida M. Zicarelli, Critical Sector – Albert Galiza and Labor Sector – Donato B. Pascua. The meeting aimed to promote shared governance in technical education and to align efforts toward more responsive and inclusive workforce development programs in the province.

The program formally began with an invocation and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the roll call. Mr. Armando B. Daguioag, Acting Supervising TESD Specialist and PTESDC Focal Person, facilitated the opening. A message was delivered by Provincial Director Dr. Vilma C. Cabrera, who emphasized the importance of sustaining collaborative efforts among government agencies and the private sector to improve the delivery of technical education. The PTESDC Chairperson was officially represented by Ms. Cecilia Claire N. Reyes, PESO Manager and PTESDC Representative of the Governor, who presided over the meeting on behalf of the provincial leadership. Upon the declaration of a quorum, the proposed agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved. Outstanding matters were revisited and discussed for resolution and follow-up action.

The meeting proceeded with a discussion of new business items critical to the advancement of TVET in the province. Ms. Merely M. Viernes and Mr. Armando B. Daguioag presented updates on Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET), noting stronger collaborations with local industries and increased placement of trainees. They discussed the . Ms. Barbie Jane C. Abad introduced the concept of micro-credentialing, presenting it as an agile approach to skill development through short-term, competency-based certifications aligned with current labor market needs. Ms. Abad also discussed the development of a curriculum standard for silage production; an effort aimed at equipping learners with specialized skills in agricultural feed preparation to support the livestock industry.

Additionally, Ms. Merely M. Viernes provided updates on Community-Based TVET initiatives that prioritize marginalized sectors and rural communities. During the open forum, representatives from government agencies and sectoral members raised concerns and offered recommendations for improving program implementation. These included proposals to enhance local government support, further engage the private sector, and ensure the continuous development of industry-relevant training programs.

The meeting concluded with a summary of key insights and action points. Among the major recommendations were the strengthening of partnerships with LGUs for program rollout, formalizing micro-credentialing pathways, sustaining industry linkages for EBET, expanding research for specialized curricula like silage production, and conducting capacity-building sessions for trainers and implementers. The participation and collaboration of all sectors in the meeting underscored a strong and shared commitment to uplifting technical education and addressing the evolving needs of the local labor force.

In summary, the 2nd Quarter PTESDC Meeting served as a productive platform for dialogue, planning, and partnership-building among TESDA, local agencies, and sectoral representatives. It reaffirmed the province's dedication to advancing relevant and inclusive TVET programs through cooperative and forward-looking strategies.