TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – The Association of Negros Producers, Inc. (ANP) has been formally recognized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the Regional Industry Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Board for Creative Sector in the Negros Island Region (NIR).

ANP president and chairperson received the certificate of recognition from TESDA Director General and TESDA-NIR Interim Director during the TVET-Industry Partnerships and Milestone Ceremony.

“That is the significance of creating industry TVET boards like ANP. It is through our partnerships with industry that we can ensure a workforce that is globally competitive and the means and mechanisms to address the job skills mismatch in as flexible a mode or as fast a mode as we possibly can,” the Director General said.

The TESDA-NIR and the ANP signed the memorandum of agreement for the establishment the Negros Industry TVET Board for Creative Sector (NITB-C).

“The ANP is the first-ever industry association TVET Board among the 10 priority sectors in Negros Island. It is now officially our pilot industry partner in the region,” the Interim Director said.

The NITB-C is an independent industry-led body that aims to bridge the gap between the demands of the industries and the TVET skills standards.

Under the agreement, TESDA-NIR will provide assistance to NITB-C on needed resources and facilitate the development and review of training regulations, competency standards, competency-based curriculum, competency assessment tools, expansion of assessment and certification infrastructure, and TVET program registration.

It will also develop guidelines that would encourage wider participation of the industry in the implementation of apprenticeship, dual training system, program for accelerating farm school establishment, in-company training, and supervised industry learning.

ANP will provide the necessary labor market information to TESDA in aid of policy and program decisions, as well as lead in the conduct of industry consultations and provide experts in analyzing and forecasting skills needed for skill development.

The chairperson said they are committed to work closely with TESDA to make the NITB-C a successful pilot initiative in the region.

“Beyond the garments sector, we have five more sectors in need of this kind of collaboration and partnership,” she added.

The Bacolod-based ANP is the organizer of the Negros Trade Fair, the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair held annually in Metro Manila since 1985.

Nature’s Village Resort

Nature’s Village Resort is a modern eco-friendly retreat designed to offer guests a sustainable and immersive experience in a natural setting. While it does not have a long historical background, it was developed with the purpose of promoting environmental conservation and responsible tourism. The resort provides a peaceful escape that harmonizes with its surroundings, emphasizing relaxation and connection with nature.

Talisay City

Talisay City is a coastal component city in Cebu, Philippines, historically significant as a landing site for American liberation forces in World War II. It is also renowned as the location of The Ruins, the remains of a majestic Italianate mansion built in the early 1900s by sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. Today, the city is a major urban center and a gateway to popular tourist destinations in the southern part of Cebu.

Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental is a province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, historically known as the „Sugarbowl of the Philippines“ due to its vast sugarcane plantations. Its history is deeply tied to the 19th-century sugar boom, which created a distinct hacienda culture and led to the rise of prominent sugar barons. The capital, Bacolod, is famous for its MassKara Festival, an annual celebration featuring vibrant masks and dances.

Negros Island Region

The Negros Island Region is a short-lived administrative region in the Philippines, created in 2015 to unite the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental on a single island under one region. It was dissolved in 2017 due to governance and funding challenges, and its provinces were reverted to their former regions, the Western and Central Visayas.

Association of Negros Producers Inc.

The Association of Negros Producers Inc. (ANP) is a non-profit organization established in the 1980s in the Philippines, formed by a group of entrepreneurs to promote and market the products of the Negros region following a devastating sugar industry crisis. It is renowned for its advocacy of sustainable livelihoods and for showcasing high-quality handicrafts, furniture, and food products made by local artisans.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the Philippine government agency responsible for managing and supervising technical education and skills development. It was established in 1994 through the Republic Act 7796 to encourage the full participation of industry, labor, and local government units in skills development. Its mission is to provide quality technical education and skills training to empower the Filipino workforce.

Negros Trade Fair

The Negros Trade Fair is an annual event in the Philippines that showcases the products, cuisine, and culture of Negros Island. It was established in 1985 to help local producers and artisans recover from a severe economic crisis on the island. The fair has since become a prestigious platform for promoting Negrense heritage and sustainable industries.

Metro Manila

Metro Manila is the bustling capital region of the Philippines, a dense metropolitan area composed of 16 cities. It was formally established in 1975 to administer the growing urban sprawl, but its history is deeply rooted as the seat of Spanish colonial government from the 16th century and the site of intense fighting during World War II. Today, it serves as the country’s economic, political, and cultural heart.