“Our forebears once held the repute as one of the world’s greatest builders. That we can carry on this legacy as we impart our skills and talents to join the ranks of the world’s greatest nation builders is the fervent goal of the school we are opening today,”
EDC spearheads in the inauguration ceremony of the Kananga-EDC Institute of Technology (KEITECH) on June 5, 2009 marking the opening of the world-class facility that will train young Filipinos in technical and vocational skills envisioned to join the ranks of the world’s great nation builders. EDC Chairman Oscar M. Lopez (middle) is joined by (R-L) EDC President Paul A. Aquino, Kananga Mayor Elmer Codilla, Leyte 5th District Representative Eufrocino Codilla Sr., TESDA Deputy Director-General and TESDA Regional Director Juan Sabulao.
“Our forebears once held the repute as one of the world’s greatest builders. That we can carry on this legacy as we impart our skills and talents to join the ranks of the world’s greatest nation builders is the fervent goal of the school we are opening today,” Chairman Oscar Lopez said in his keynote message on June 5 in the inauguration ceremony of the Kananga-EDC Institute of Technology (KEITECH) in Brgy. Hiluctugan, Kananga.
The first-rate post-secondary technical vocational training center opens in Brgy. Hiluctugan, one of the primary partner barangays of EDC in Leyte. KEITECH is equipped with hardware and software components for three major technical sectors namely: Construction, Metals Engineering,Tourism and Health and Social services which will develop into five sectors with the addition of Automotive and Electronics component in three years. The training complex has 20 buildings, a large multi-purpose hall, office building, an oval track and a basketball court.
EDC President Paul Aquino stressed the record-defying hard work put into the construction and development of KEITECH. “Who would have thought that just six months ago this place is just but an idle piece of land dominated by grasses with some bushes and shrubs here and there? Because of our miracle workers we started from nothing into the biggest training center we now see in the whole of Leyte,” he enthused. “Like the geothermal steam that fuels the company s power plants, the potential of Leyte’s young population are just waiting to be unleashed so they can have that one time chance of proving their exemplary skills and work ethics to the whole world,” he added.
Under the three-year agreement, KEITECH will operate through the Kananga-EDC Educational Foundation Inc founded through the tripartite partnership of EDC, the Municipality of Kananga and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Apart from the fund commitments of EDC and the local government of Kananga the project also perfectly demonstrated that all is not lost when it comes to measuring society’s goodness, and yes even contributions from private individuals flowed for this well intent undertaking. Even the young architect who designed the entire complex offered his services for free.
KEITECH enlisted the services of 25 top notch accredited trainers and very able administrative personnel. For 10 months the pioneer batch of 120 students will train extensively under their watch. Anchored in the Pay It Forward philosophy KEITECH aims to address the socio economic needs at the local level while creating a pool of technically skilled human resources that can be utilized for industrial and services activities in the country and abroad. “Upon completion of the training program KEITECH graduates become a sponsor of incoming trainees after receiving gainful employment. One of the most important things to remember about paying it forward is that it should be done with a selfless spirit,” Mr. Aquino emphasized.
A son’s love will also be engraved forever at one of KEITECH’s training halls. Richard B Tantoco, Deputy President donated for the construction of one of the buildings named after his mother Lilia B Tantoco, a fitting tribute to a parent and an individual who spent 38 years of treasured service in helping uplift educational opportunities for the youths in this country. I feel very honored was all Mrs Tantoco can quip who even in her retirement years remains active in pursuing educational programs for the less privileged Filipino children through some collaborations with various organizations such as the Ayala Foundation. (With excerpts from Myrna Velasco of Manila Bulletin)
The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is a pioneer in generating 100% clean, renewable, and reliable power as an electricity supplier in the Philippines for over 40 years. With power plants all over Visayas and Mindanao, the company is one of the biggest producers of geothermal energy in Asia and is expanding its reach in the international market, allowing it to offer customers affordable energy rates. EDC also strives to provide the best customer service it can to all its clients by having helpful salespeople and easy to understand contracts. Because of all of this, it is poised to become the premier supplier of electricity for the Philippines’ Green Energy Option Program. EDC takes its mission as a renewable energy provider seriously and goes beyond sustainability by investing in programs that enhance the environment and empower its partner communities, thereby fostering regenerative development. The company has also been working toward being carbon-neutral by improving its energy efficiency, as well as implementing various greening projects to ensure that its mission to provide future generations with a better life remains intact.
