SU-TEVEC head appointed Regional Lead Assessor by TESDA
Silliman University’s Technical, Educational, Vocational, and Entrepreneurial Center (TEVEC) marked another milestone with the appointment of its head, Blanche M. Utzurrum, as Regional Lead Assessor (RLA) for Region VII. Her name appears in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) Memorandum Circular No. 031, s. 2025, released on December 1, 2025, which lists newly designated RLAs authorized to lead capability-building programs and oversee assessor development across their regions.
Utzurrum, who has led SU-TEVEC since May 2022, is among TESDA’s selected assessors found “competent” and who have completed the required loading process under the National Lead Assessors. As RLA, her role is crucial: she now serves as a multiplier of programs, guiding the development of future assessors within Region VII and the Negros Island Region (NIR).
According to her, the designation expands the reach of SU-TEVEC’s mandate. “An RLA has region-wide coverage. We not only assess for qualification but also support the development of new assessors so they become accredited in their respective fields,” she explained. This strengthens the ecosystem of technical-vocational education by ensuring a stable pipeline of qualified assessors for TESDA programs.
A major boost for SU-TEVEC and Negros Oriental
Utzurrum’s appointment positions Silliman University as a central player in TESDA’s expanded community-based training efforts. As she shared, SU-TEVEC is now the pilot institution tapped to implement training and assessment for Day Care Workers (DCWs) in the province, an initiative expected to benefit 1,527 profiled DCWs in Negros Oriental.
For these pilot programs, training and assessment will be fully funded by TESDA through scholarship grants, which will be downloaded directly to identified pilot institutions like SU-TEVEC. This means expanded access to professional development for community workers and a strengthened partnership between the University and government agencies in uplifting local sectors.
Transforming SU-TEVEC since 2022
Under Utzurrum’s leadership, SU-TEVEC has rapidly expanded its program offerings, becoming one of the province’s most dynamic hubs for technical and vocational training. Among its major accomplishments are:
- Registration under TESDA’s PAFSE Program
SU-TEVEC became an accredited institution under the Program on Accelerating Farm School Establishment (PAFSE), offering:
- Animal Production NC II (Poultry, Swine, Ruminants)
- Organic Agriculture Production NC II
- Agro-entrepreneurship NC II and NC III
- New Registered Programs and Assessment Centers
- Trainers Methodology NC I
- Bookkeeping NC II
- Agro-entrepreneurship NC II and NC III
- Events Management Services NC III
- Java Programming NC IV
- Programs Undergoing Registration and Accreditation
- Events Management Services NC II & NC III
- Pharmacy Services NC III
- Health Care Services NC II
- Early Childhood Care and Development NC III
- Food and Beverage Services NC II
- Barista NC II
- Caregiving NC II
- Food Processing NC II
- Agri-Crops Production NC II & NC III
- Expansion to Mobile Training Programs
SU-TEVEC is now also registered to deliver mobile training in:
- Animal Production (Poultry, Swine, Ruminants)
- Organic Agriculture Production NC II
This mobility allows SU-TEVEC to reach far-flung communities, ensuring wider access to technical education and skills development.
- SU-TEVEC has strengthened its engagement with industry partners throughEnterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET), successfully establishing partnerships with Silliman University Medical Center Foundation, Inc. and wrkpod, a professional outsourcing and business solutions company.
A vision for transformative, lifelong learning
Looking ahead, Utzurrum envisions SU-TEVEC as “a transformative hub where learners are empowered through holistic, innovative, and world-class technical education, grounded in integrity, service, and lifelong learning.”
Her appointment as RLA reinforces this vision, bridging institutional expertise, provincial needs, and national goals in technical-vocational advancement.
As SU-TEVEC continues to expand its programs and influence, Utzurrum’s leadership ensures Silliman University remains at the forefront of community transformation through accessible, industry-relevant, and values-driven technical education.
