18 May 2006 - Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Virginia H. Benavidez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that ten school teachers and administrators from the Bicol Region completed on 16 May 2006 a five-day training program conducted by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Vocational Technical Education (SEAMEO-VOCTECH) on 16 May 2006.

Ambassador Benavidez said the school teachers and administrators completed the five-day application of enterprise-based Futuristic, Relevant, Enterprising, Sustainable and Holistic or F.R.E.S.H concept and tools to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency in implementing vocational and technical education in their respective institutions.

The Ambassador pointed out that this is the first time a customized training program for a core group of educators from the Bicol region was undertaken, which marked another important milestone in SEAMEO-VOCTECH’s contribution to human resources development in the region.  The participants are  Dr. Roman T. Delfin, Jr., Mr. Francisco Mañago, Mr. Gerry Renato A. Bermas, Mr. Jaime A. Masamoc, Ms. Cielo S. Tolosa, Ms. Arlenezita G. Talisaysay, Dr. Julieta A. Masamoc, Mr. Antonio J. Olaguer, Mr. Ben D. Silva and Mr. Edgar E. Bantog

In her address at the closing ceremony of the training program, Ambassador Benavidez stressed the importance of enhancing the knowledge and skills in appropriate and up-to-date training in the vocational and technical fields as these directly impact on Philippine national development goals and objectives.  “Filipino school administrators and teachers have a vital role to play in ensuring that the nation’s pool of human resources are able to compete in a multilateral setting. Globalization continues to raise the bar of excellence that needs to be attained if the Philippines is to remain competitive in the midst of rapidly changing and challenging world,” the Ambassador said.

SEAMEO-VOCTECH is one of the 16 SEAMEO Centers under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization or SEAMEO established in 1990 with the mandate to strengthen and improve the quality of Vocational and Technical Education and Training through human resource development. It is also the first regional organization based in Brunei Darussalam to receive the ISO 9001:2000 Certification and one of the first SEAMEO Centers to have attained such distinction.

Several Filipino vocational and technical specialists, managers, course coordinators and staff are part of the SEAMEO-VOCHTECH team that has been in the forefront of making it the Leading Center of Excellence in Vocational and Technical Education and Training.

Ambassador Benavidez hosted a dinner at the “Ang Bahay,” the Philippine Ambassador’s official residence, in honor of the Filipino participants together with Filipino professors at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and other guests from the academe and media.  They all enjoyed the evening of fellowship and lively singing amidst the Filipino ambience and setting of “Ang Bahay,” which according to the participants and guests will always be part of their shared wonderful learning experiences and fruitful interaction with the Philippine Embassy, the Filipino community and the people of Brunei Darussalam. END