CEBU CITY, February 9, 2009─The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has turned over to the Archdiocese of Cebu certificates of scholarship grant amounting to P 1.8 million in a ceremony held February 5.

TESDA representative, Ted Gatchalian, handed over to His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, certificates allotted for 125 scholars the archdiocese would choose as recipients from poor families.

Gatchalian said beneficiaries may choose from a wide array of vocational or technical courses at any TESDA accredited institution or training center.

For his part, Cardinal Vidal expressed his gratitude to TESDA and the national government for the grant.

“In these difficult times, when people are losing their jobs, this scholarship grant will go a long way for the poor but deserving recipients,” the Cebu prelate said.

Cardinal Vidal, who celebrated his 78th birthday last February 6, expressed in the past days a growing concern over the rising number of laid-off workers in Cebu as a result of the global economic crisis.

He hopes that the scholarship will help alleviate the burdens of the families from whom the deserving students shall be chosen to avail of the grant.

The allocation of the grant to beneficiaries will be handled by the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Service, the social action arm of the archdiocese which was responsible for the recent tie-up.

The turn-over ceremony, held at Caritas building in Cebu City, was also attended by CBCP President and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Dumaguete Bishop John F. Du, and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan.

It was preceded by the inauguration and blessing of Cebu Caritas Health Center, which is run by volunteer doctors and other health workers, and a feeding program for 500 indigents sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The events were held as part of the archdiocesan celebration of the 78th birthday of Cardinal Vidal. (Fr. Marnell Mejia)

Source:  CPCP News