In a significant move to empower Indigenous Cultural Communities, Davao City's Peace 911 program, in collaboration with the TESDA Davao City District Office, has successfully concluded a specialized five-day dressmaking training. The activity, held from December 8 to 12, 2025, took place in Barangay Baganihan and directly benefited members of various local tribes.
Empowering Communities Through Practical Skills
A total of twenty-nine participants from the Bagobo Tagabawa, Obu Manuvu, Matigsalug, and Ata tribes actively engaged in the program. The training was meticulously designed to impart fundamental sewing competencies and practical skills. The core objective was to equip participants with knowledge that can be translated into sustainable livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering economic independence within their communities.
Beyond mere technical instruction, the program also served as a platform for cultural preservation. Participants were encouraged to apply their newfound skills to traditional cultural designs, ensuring that their heritage continues to thrive through modern expression and entrepreneurship.
A Foundation for Future Growth
During the culmination program on December 12, the participants received sewing kits donated by Therma South, Inc., providing them with the essential tools to immediately apply their training. In a message delivered by Joyce Tugap, Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, the Acting Head of Peace 911, expressed her highest commendation to the graduates.
"Your presence, discipline, and eagerness to learn reflect your courage and determination to uplift your personal well-being and contribute to the development of your communities," the message stated. Atty. Presto emphasized that the training offered more than just skills in sewing, pattern-making, and garment construction. She highlighted that it opened new doors, built confidence, and established a solid foundation for both livelihood and cultural expression.
"The garments you produced demonstrate your talent, patience, and commitment to bringing the traditions of your tribes toward greater possibilities," she added.
Building Sustainable Livelihoods
In her concluding remarks, Atty. Presto encouraged the graduates to use their acquired skills as a guiding tool for building their chosen livelihoods. She expressed confidence that the knowledge they now possess would create greater opportunities not only for themselves but also for their families and their wider communities. This initiative by Peace 911 and TESDA stands as a concrete example of how targeted skills development can simultaneously address economic needs and cultural preservation among the Indigenous Peoples of Davao.
