𝐒𝐂𝐌𝐓𝐀𝐂 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬

Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur – The Santa Cruz Manpower Training and Assessment Center (SCMTAC) assisted in the facilitation of a Candle Making Skills Training for the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Santa Cruz on August 19, 2025, held at Sweet Miles Haven Restaurant, Tagabuli, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

A total of 23 women participants took part in the training, which aimed to provide them with additional livelihood opportunities while strengthening their capacity to become more resourceful and productive in their communities.

This training was funded by the 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗚𝗔𝗗) 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, reflecting the local government’s commitment to empowering women through community-based training programs that enhance skills and support sustainable income-generating activities.

The SCMTAC continues to uphold its mission of delivering relevant and practical skills training, ensuring that community members—especially women—are given opportunities to explore alternative sources of livelihood and contribute to family and community development.

𝐒𝐂𝐌𝐓𝐀𝐂 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐠𝐩𝐨𝐠, 𝐒𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳, 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫

Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur – The Santa Cruz Manpower Training and Assessment Center (SCMTAC) assisted in the facilitation of a Kimchi Skills Training held today, August 14, 2025, at Sitio Pogpog, Barangay Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The training gathered members of the local women’s group, aiming to equip them with practical skills in preparing kimchi — a popular Korean fermented dish — as a potential source of livelihood. This hands-on learning experience is part of the Community-Based Training program, which brings skills development opportunities directly to communities.

The activity was funded by the Gender and Development (GAD) Division and conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Training Center – Davao del Sur, which provided an expert trainer to ensure quality instruction and guidance for the participants.

Through the joint efforts of SCMTAC, GAD Division, and the Provincial Training Center, the training not only promoted culinary skills but also encouraged entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among women in the community.

This initiative reflects the commitment of SCMTAC to support sustainable skills development and livelihood opportunities, especially for women, as part of its mission to strengthen the local workforce through accessible and relevant training programs.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

The Santa Cruz Manpower Training and Assessment Center (SCMTAC) was established to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality skills training within the municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Its primary mission is to enhance the skills, knowledge, and employability of individuals—particularly those from marginalized sectors—by providing industry-aligned training programs and competency-based assessments.

The center stands out as the first Local Government Unit (LGU)-run training center in Davao del Sur officially registered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This milestone underscores SCMTAC’s dedication to upholding national training standards while fostering a skilled and competitive workforce.

The journey towards operational readiness began between July to September 2023, marked by meticulous planning and groundwork preparation. During this stage, a significant benchmarking activity was conducted in Davao Oriental, in alignment with TESDA’s objectives and regulatory framework. This activity brought together key stakeholders, including PESO/SCMTAC personnel, TESDA Davao del Sur staff, and municipal officials, notably Hon. Atty. Charlotte F. Gallego, Chairperson of the Committee on Education.

In October 2023, SCMTAC achieved a critical milestone when its official TESDA registration was approved. The momentum continued in November 2023 with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), attended by Hon. Jose Nelson Z. Sala, Sr. (Municipal Mayor), TESDA Provincial Director Dir. Remegias G. Timonio, Hon. Atty. Charlotte F. Gallego, and other distinguished officials from TESDA and PESO/SCMTAC. This event symbolized the united commitment of all partners to strengthen skills training and employment opportunities in the municipality.

Today, SCMTAC offers five TESDA-registered programs—Events Management Services NC III, Bookkeeping NC III, Driving NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, and Tourism Promotion Services NC II—catering to the diverse needs of both the local labor market and aspiring workers.

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

Over the course of its development and operations, SCMTAC has implemented best practices that have contributed to its success and reputation for quality training delivery:

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

1.1 Careful preparation before the center’s launch ensured compliance with TESDA standards and alignment with local economic needs.

1.2 Benchmarking activities provided valuable insights into best practices from established training institutions.

𝟮. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

2.1 Regular coordination with TESDA, the LGU, and other agencies fosters shared responsibility and resource pooling.

2.2 Close partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) strengthens the link between training and job placement.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵

3.1 Programs are designed to be inclusive, targeting marginalized individuals and providing them with practical, in-demand skills.

3.2 Training venues are brought closer to communities through outreach and mobile training initiatives.

𝟰. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀

4.1 Courses offered are aligned with labor market trends and local industry demands, ensuring graduates possess employable skills.

4.2 Continuous curriculum updates keep the programs relevant to evolving industry requirements.

𝟱. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

5.1 TESDA-accredited assessment processes ensure that trainees meet national competency standards.

5.2 Feedback from both assessors and trainees is used to improve future training cycles.

Through these best practices, SCMTAC continues to fulfill its mission of empowering individuals, boosting employability, and contributing to local economic growth. The center’s story is one of vision, collaboration, and community impact, and it remains committed to expanding opportunities for all who seek to improve their skills and livelihood

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐨

 The Santa Cruz Manpower Training and Assessment Center (SCMTAC) successfully assisted in the facilitation of a Community-Based Skills Training on Chayote Pickles for the women of Tibolo, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. The training was held on August 12, 2025 at the Bagobo Cultural Village, Tibolo, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

This one-day training was funded by the Gender and Development (GAD) Division, headed by Miss Daphne Kim Solamo, as part of its commitment to empower women through livelihood opportunities. To ensure quality and expertise, SCMTAC coordinated with the Provincial Training Center – Davao del Sur, headed by Mr. Faustino Barette, Jr., which provided a skilled trainer to conduct the session.

The program aimed to equip the participants with practical knowledge in chayote pickle production, enabling them to transform locally grown produce into marketable products. This initiative serves as a preparation for their future livelihood ventures, contributing to the economic empowerment of women in the community.

As part of its Community-Based Training Program, SCMTAC continues to bring skills development directly to the barangays, fostering self-reliance, income generation, and sustainable community growth.