By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Skills Passport mobile application on Thursday—his first public engagement after recovering from diverticulitis last month.
In a speech at the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center in San Juan City, the President underscored the importance of developing a more digitally skilled Filipino workforce amid the regional and global labor market demands.
“Sa pamamagitan ng TESDA Skills Passport mobile application, may all-in-one na digital platform na tayo,” he said.
Serving as both a digital identity and portfolio, the mobile app enables users to manage their TESDA certificates as well as access information on accredited institutions, training courses, and scholarships.
It will also serve as a job portal that will connect TESDA-certified individuals with employers and industry partners across the country.
“Bukod dito, mayroon ding online AI assistant na handang tumugon sa inyong mga katanungan anumang oras,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive likewise noted the record-high trillion-peso budget for the education sector this 2026, with almost P20 billion allocated to fund TESDA’s scholarship and skills training programs.
“Ang edukasyon at pagsasanay ang puhunan natin para sa isang maunlad na kinabukasan. Kaya todo-buhos ang aking Administrasyon ng pondo at suporta para sa edukasyon,” he said.
This as he vowed to continue making jobs and skills trainings more accessible to Filipinos.
“Asahan ninyo na kami sa pamahalaan ay hindi titigil sa trabaho upang tulungan na kayo ay guminhawa ang inyong mga buhay,” the President said.
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