One thousand three hundred seventy-five (1,375) rural youth from El Niño-stricken areas in Region I are beneficiaries of community-based training programs by TESDA.

The Presidential Task Force on El Niño which includes TESDA identified the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union and Pangasinan as among those affected by the El Niño Phenomenon which started on January.

The training programs, included in the 2010 over-all training target of TESDA Region I, are intended to provide employment opportunities to the rural youth of the said provinces. These programs can be availed at the TESDA Technology Institutions in the region.

The Presidential Task Force on El Niño was reactivated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in preparation for the onslaught of the dry season that is expected to cause billions of pesos in agricultural losses.