SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS. TESDA-Negros Oriental provincial director Joel Villagracia (left) hands over scholarship grants to Mayor Edgar Teves of Valencia, Negros Oriental in the presence of PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar (right). The activity held on Monday, (Dec. 13, 2021) is in line with the Duterte Legacy Caravan that raises awareness on the accomplishments of the Duterte administration. (Screen grab from RTVM live streaming) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Monday awarded scholarship grants to 100 beneficiaries in Valencia, Negros Oriental during a ceremonial payout in line with the Duterte Legacy caravan. The caravan, which highlights the accomplishments of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte over the past six years, was spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), headed by Secretary Martin Andanar. TESDA-Negros Oriental provincial director Joel Villagracia turned over the scholarship grants in cash and in kind to Valencia Mayor Edgar Teves in the presence of the PCOO chief. Villagracia said the recipients of the scholarship grants are enrolled in courses such as welding and cookery. TESDA is the "human resource development agency" of the government and their mandate is to develop human resources through technical and vocation education training, he said. During the Duterte administration, Villagracia said they anchored their program and services "in (line) with the socio-economic agenda of the President". "We have further strengthened our programs and services to reach out and serve more clients and partners, and to transfer and improve the lives of the poor and underserved," Villagracia said in mixed English and Cebuano. From 2016-2021, TESDA has helped 42,000 beneficiaries under different scholarship programs in the province. Over the last three years, the agency has also provided 1,600 training seats worth around PHP20 million in Valencia, mostly in the agriculture, tourism, construction, and transportation sectors. "This is in strong partnership with the local government unit of Valencia led by our dynamic Mayor Edgar Teves," Villagracia said. Meanwhile, PCOO Assistant Secretary Juan Vincent "JV" Arcena presented the landmark infrastructure projects implemented in Negros Oriental under the Duterte administration at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) gymnasium Monday morning. These include the rehabilitation of the Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport, construction of the new Port Operations Building inside the city port here, the slope protection project along the Himampangon Road in the north of the province, and the Candon-Gatuslao-Basay "Negros Connector" road connecting Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, among others. The current administration has constructed 1,439 kilometers of roads, 435 bridge projects, 326 flood mitigation projects, and 7,656 classrooms in Central Visayas, he said. The "Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery" is in Negros Oriental from December 13-17 to raise awareness on the administration's accomplishments. The caravan is set to visit Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Bayawan City, Bais City, Manjuyod, and Pamplona. (PNA) }