May Acosta of San Isidro, Santo Domingo, Albay could not believe that she is also capable of doing manly tasks which she thought before only men can do like operate heavy equipment and payloaders.
But when she completed the scholarship grant offered by the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at age 37, she declared in Bicolano:
“We can also operate heavy equipment, which only men can do before. We can take care of those heavy equipment, too. We can take care of our unit, and whatever task is given to us, we can also do.”
Acosta is among the 400 scholars from Albay province, who were finally awarded training certificates by TESDA after completing the required number of hours and onsite demonstration.
According to TESDA-Albay Director Mariglo Macabuhay-Sese, Albay Director of TESDA, the training is part of the 10,000 slots allotted to Bicol region offering technical and vocational courses like Heavy Equipment Operation and Welding with National Competency (NC) Level II which Acosta has just completed.
Acosta is a certified female Wheel Loader Operator now. Her education as well as those included in the 10,000 slots were funded by AkoBicol party-list.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Jil Bongalon said their organization is putting more funds into training and livelihood because this will reduce unemployment in Bicol.