As the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific region is seen to be in the receiving end of the repercussions of climate change, there is a need to put forward some initiatives to create awareness and provide knowledge on the greening process among the administration, faculty, trainers, and students.
It is the motivation in holding the third batch of the in-country program on Greening TVET for sustainable development. It was held at the National TVET Trainers Academy (NTTA) in Marikina City from July 30 to August 3, 2018. A total of 37 participants from Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga Region, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were invited to participate in this session.
The overall objective of the Greening TVET for Sustainable Development training program is to maintain green society through TVET professionals by empowering students on greening knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The specific objectives of the program are to effectively and efficiently analyze emerging trends and challenges in Greening TVET for Sustainable Development for the benefit of the future generation. To fulfill this, the following topics were discussed during the event: (1) Concepts and Importance of Greening TVET for Sustainable Development; (2) Integrating Green Concepts in TVET Curricula; (3) Meeting the Challenges in Intensifying the Greening of TVET Towards Sustainable Development; (4) Methods and Approaches of Greening TVET; (5) Planning and Management for Greening TVET System.
In addition to the classroom discussions, study visits to some of the notable sites where green TVET is practiced are also included. The participants were able to visit the Manila Water Company, UP Diliman Task Force on Solid Waste Management and the Quezon City Biogas Emissions Reduction Facility. These visits are meant to show to the participants the actual practices of environmental conservation technologies.
The program also included a panel discussion on Transforming TVET for Sustainable Development. This event, similar to the ones organized during the previous two batches, aims to supplement the lessons learned in the program with actual experiences from experts and advocates. The invited panelists were: Ms. Gwyneth Ann Palmos (National Project Coordinator, Just Transition to a Green Economy, ILO, Manila), Mr. Celestino Millar (Chief TESD Specialist, TESDA Planning Office); Prof. Armando Basug (Representative from the University of the Philippines Task Force on Solid Waste management); Mr. David John Vergara (Representative, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department of Quezon City), Mr. Alberto T. Cabael (Vice President, Philippine Society of Plumbing Engineers) and Ms. May Moldes (Consultant, Tulay sa Don Bosco Foundation, Quezon City, Philippines). The panel was moderated by Dr. Ambawatte and was attended by all participants in addition to some invited guests from the Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC).
The five-day event was jointly organized by CPSC led by its Director General, Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, and TESDA, led by the Director General, Sec. Guiling Mamondiong. Program resources were furnished by CPSC’s Faculty Consultant, Dr. Chithral Ambawatte. Local logistics was facilitated by the Director of the National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development (NITESD), Mr. Elmer K. Talavera. Additional resources meanwhile were provided by the Visiting Faculty Consultant, Dr. Romulita Alto and the Faculty Specialist, Ms. Therese Lee.
(Left photo) Dr. Chithral Ambawatte interacting with the participants
(Right photo) Ms. Therese Lee (in black) with some of the participants
(Left photo) Dr. Ambawatte with the guides at the UP Diliman Solid Waste Management Task Force
(Right photo) The participants at the Manila Water Corporation
The panelists of the special panel discussion on Transforming TVET for Sustainable Development (left-right): Mr. David John Vergara (Representative, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department of Quezon City); Prof. Armando Basug (Representative from the University of the Philippines Task Force on Solid Waste management); Mr. Celestino Millar (Chief TESD Specialist, TESDA Planning Office); Ms. Gwyneth Ann Palmos (National Project Coordinator, Just Transition to a Green Economy, ILO, Manila); Ms. May Moldes (Consultant, Tulay sa Don Bosco Foundation, Quezon City, Philippines); Mr. Alberto T. Cabael (Vice President, Philippine Society of Plumbing Engineers); and Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane (Director General, CPSC)
