Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) President Edward Du presented the Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental and the Agro-Industrial Technology and Enterprise Center (AI-TEC), which was championed by NOCCI.
The deliberation of the proposed MOA was conducted during a meeting with the Negros Oriental Provincial Government, represented by Provincial Board Member and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education Chair, Hon. Peter Paul Renacia, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Myles Nicholas Bejar, Negros Oriental Scholarship Program Coordinator Atty. Pie Sanchez, and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Ingo Ash Julian Mercado, and AI-TEC, represented by its Executive Director, Dr. Jose Rene Gayo, and NOCCI, represented by its President, Mr. Edward Du.
The MOA aims to establish a scholarship program which primary goals are (a) to help many Negrense families get out of poverty and live productive lives, (b) to produce urgently needed high quality production technologists for the growing industries in the Visayas Regions, and (c) to help many poor but deserving, young Negrense youth get a certification under the dual training system of CITE Technical Institute, Inc.
Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) President Edward Du took a significant step towards advancing education and industry growth in Negros Oriental by presenting the Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental and the Agro-Industrial Technology and Enterprise Center (AI-TEC), a visionary initiative championed by NOCCI.
The deliberation of the proposed MOA unfolded during a pivotal meeting with representatives from the Negros Oriental Provincial Government and AI-TEC. Among those present were Provincial Board Member and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education Chair, Hon. Peter Paul Renacia, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Myles Nicholas Bejar, Negros Oriental Scholarship Program Coordinator Atty. Pie Sanchez, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Ingo Ash Julian Mercado, AI-TEC’s Executive Director, Dr. Jose Rene Gayo, and NOCCI’s President, Mr. Edward Du.
The primary objective of the MOA is to establish a comprehensive scholarship program with threefold goals: first, to uplift Negrense families from poverty and enable them to lead productive lives; second, to address the increasing demand for high-quality production technologists in the Visayas Regions; and third, to provide deserving young Negrense individuals with certification under the dual training system of CITE Technical Institute, Inc.
President Du underscored the transformative potential of the proposed scholarship program, emphasizing its role in empowering communities, fostering industry growth, and unlocking opportunities for youth across Negros Oriental. He reiterated NOCCI’s unwavering commitment to driving positive change and promoting inclusive development in the region.
The provincial representatives expressed their support for the initiative, recognizing its significance in addressing key socio-economic challenges and advancing the province’s long-term development agenda. Hon. Peter Paul Renacia lauded NOCCI’s proactive stance and pledged the provincial government’s full cooperation in realizing the objectives outlined in the MOA.
Dr. Jose Rene Gayo of AI-TEC emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between education and industry needs, highlighting the role of the scholarship program in producing skilled professionals equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. He commended NOCCI for its vision and leadership in spearheading initiatives that foster synergy between academia and industry.
The proposed MOA represents a collaborative effort to create a sustainable framework for education, training, and skills development in Negros Oriental. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of government, industry, and academia, the initiative seeks to empower individuals, strengthen workforce capabilities, and drive socio-economic progress across the province.
As the meeting concluded, President Du expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their invaluable contributions and unwavering support. He reaffirmed NOCCI’s commitment to working closely with partners to ensure the effective implementation and success of the scholarship program, underscoring its potential to transform lives and shape the future of Negros Oriental.
