07/08/2026
NEGROS OCC., TESDA LAUNCH โDRIVE TO THRIVEโ PROGRAM TO BOOST SKILLS, ROAD SAFETY
The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC), in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), launched the "Drive to Thrive" Program, yesterday, August 6, a community-based driving skills and mechanics training that equips Negrenses with practical competencies while promoting employment opportunities and responsible road use.
Governor B**g Lacson said that the program reflects the Provincial Government's commitment to creating more opportunities for Negrenses by investing in technical education that enhances employability, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.
โToday, we open new opportunities for our fellow Negrenses by investing in their skills and capacities. Through technical education and skills training, we are equipping our people with competencies that will enable them to earn a living, pursue entrepreneurship, adapt to changing industries, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of their communities,โ he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the program, TESDA Negros Island Region (NIR), led by Regional Director Niรฑa Connie Dood, awarded trainer certification to the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental (PGNO), officially accrediting the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) to deliver training and conduct competency assessments in Basic Driving and Basic Mechanics.
Successful trainees will be eligible to earn National Certificate (NC) II qualifications in these fields, expanding opportunities for employment and livelihood.
The first batch of trainees consists of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office's (PDRRMO) Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), who will undergo training to strengthen their capability to safely operate and perform basic maintenance on the province's Level 1 ambulances and other emergency response vehicles.
According to the Provincial Administrator Atty Rayfrando P. Diaz II, the Provincial Government plans to expand the program to other PGNO employees, as well as scholars of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) and the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP).
Gov. Lacson also highlighted the partnership between the Provincial Government, through the TLDC, and TESDA in expanding access to community-based training in Basic Driving and Basic Mechanics.
He thanked TESDA for its continued commitment to providing quality technical skills training that creates opportunities for Negrenses.*