ASAC TIFI Launched Subtest Project: G.A.S.A.2 H.O.P.E.

The Archdiocesan Social Action Center Technical Institute Foundation, Inc. (ASAC TIFI), a TESDA Accredited Archdiocesan Social Action Skills Training and Development Program was established by the Archdiocese of Davao at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Sasa, Davao City, known as the St. Joseph Training Center. ASAC TIFI which is already in its seventh year has an existing three-floor skills training center building, and another structure was constructed attached thereto as its office.

On 25 July 2025 at 5:00 in the afternoon, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, Archbishop of Davao, led the order of blessing of the office structure and the new vehicle of ASAC TIFI. The Holy Mass, in thanksgiving for the newly-constructed building, the newly-acquired vehicle and the launching of SUBTEST Project G.A.S.A.2H.O.P.E. of ASAC TIFI, followed presided by Archbishop Valles, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Leonardo “Bong” Dublan, Jr., Director of ASAC and Parish Priest of St. Jude Shrine Parish, Rev. Fr. Zenon B. Ampong, Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish-Mintal and Rev. Fr. Roy F. Mejias, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish. After the thanksgiving mass, everyone was invited to proceed to the ground floor of the new Parish Pastoral Building of St. Joseph Parish the Worker for the launching program of the SUBTEST Project G.AS.A.2H.O.P.E.

In his homily, Archbishop Valles said that St. Joseph the Worker Parish is the most beautiful and appropriate place for the vocational skills training center, as it is dedicated to St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers. He said that the Church does not only provide the spiritual needs of the people but also their human needs, hence, the establishment of the St. Joseph Training Center under the ASAC TIFI. He asked to continuously invoke the name of St. Joseph to protect and guide the center. As the Catholic Church honored St. James the Apostle this day, Archbishop Valles said that both St. Joseph and St. James were connected to Jesus, and both were given the mandate by God to care.

Fr. Bong Dublan said that the launching of the gift to hope is a support to its SUBTEST Program in its continuing effort for giving scholarship to those who are in need, especially the poor, to be able to access the skills, and acquire a national certificate for their work in electrical installation, maintenance and arc welding skills. ASAC TIFI also plans to revive the RAC or the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning skills program. At present, St. Joseph Parish sponsored twenty-five (25) scholars. Fr. Bong prayed that through the gift to hope, more scholars will be served through the help of other parishes.

Mr. Dennis Mabayao, coordinator of Sagop Kinabuhi Program of ASAC, expounded on the rationale of the program. G.A.S.A.2H.O.P.E. is the acronym for Giving Access to Skills Advancement to Help Others Progress and Empowered, is a support to SUBTEST, the acronym for Subsidized Technical Skills Training Project of ASAC TIFI. He encouraged everyone to become part of the project by becoming a solicitor, a benefactor, a solicitor and benefactor, or as prayer warrior. The eight (8) vicariates of the Archdiocese of Davao, namely, San Pablo Vicariate, Sacred Heart Vicariate, San Pedro Vicariate, St. James the Apostle Vicariate, Sto. Rosario Vicariate, Sta. Ana Vicariate, Immaculate Conception Vicariate, and La Purisima Vicariate were acknowledged and given Pledge of Commitment forms which they will be distributing to the different parishes of their respective vicariates.

Pledge of commitments were also distributed to the visitors while Mr. Mabayao shared the Gospel of Luke 6:38, which says: “Give, and it shall be given back to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken together hold in their hands all that you can hold.” He further said that the “donation will go a long way, a way to produce skilled manpower” by trending them and providing them a national certificate, “thus, giving them hope to become productive members of the community”. Dinner was served and the visitors were entertained by the beautiful rendition of songs of Ms. Melba Irene Gabuya. Flordeliza Deloria was the master of ceremonies of the said program. (Rowena Baldoza Villaflor)