Police trainees in Surigao Sur learn hollow block making
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Surigao del Sur joined forces to empower police personnel and communities through livelihood-oriented training.
Cadres under the Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) recently underwent a three-day training on hollow block making in Barangay Victoria, Tago in the province of Surigao del Sur. The initiative, supported by TESDA and facilitated under the guidance of Provincial Director Romel M. Natad, equipped the police officers with technical skills that could be used for both community development and livelihood generation.
The police officers under the program on R-PSB are called ‘cadres,’ who underwent a series of training to deliver their mission of securing previously rebel-affected barangays from returning to insurgency.
For PSSg Gilbert T. Mira, R-PSB cadres team leader, the training was more than just a technical course, it was transformative.
“Gusto naming pasalamatan ang TESDA na nabigyan kaming mga R-PSB ng oportunidad na makapag-undergo ng training sa hollow block making. Akala namin noong una ay madali lang, pero hindi pala. It takes time, sweat, and patience para makabuo ng matibay at de-kalidad na hollow blocks,” he said.
(We are thankful to TESDA for giving us, the R-PSB, the oppprtunity to undergo the training on hollow-block making. We thought the skill was easy. But its not. It requires time, effort and patience to produce quality and sturdy hollow blocks).
He added that the skills they learned can now be shared to others, benefiting their communities and creating new income streams.
“Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa amin, hindi lang para sa aming sarili kundi para rin sa iba. Pwede na naming ibahagi ang aming natutunan at gamitin ito para sa kabuhayan. (This is a big help for us and to others. We can train others and use the skill for livelihood).
Colonel Harry Domingo, Provincial Director of SDSPPO, emphasized that the program is alignex with the PNP’s goal to serve not only as peacekeepers but also as partners in progress.
“Our partnership with TESDA Surigao del Sur shows our commitment to building sustainable communities. This training equips our personnel with useful skills, enabling them to better serve and support development efforts at the grassroots level.”
TESDA’s involvement ensured that the training met national competency standards, while remaining relevant to local development needs. By teaching hollow block making, a critical skill in local construction, the project provided tangible, sustainable support to community members and frontline service providers alike.
This collaborative effort proved that when government agencies and community partners work together, they can lay not just physical building blocks, but also foundations of empowerment, livelihood, and long-term resilience. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
