By EJ Roque/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed an executive order approving the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2022.
In Executive Order No. 83 signed by Duterte on June 17 but released to the media on Thursday (June 20), he ordered for the adoption of the NTESDP 2018-2022 which envisions a vibrant and quality technical education program in the country aimed at producing employment and reducing poverty.
“The NTESDP 2018-2022 shall serve as a blueprint of the TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) sector in coming up with responsive policies and implementing programs in support of the broader goals and objectives of the national government,” the order read.
In the same EO, Duterte encouraged all national government agencies and local government units to adopt, disseminate, and support the NTESDP 2018-2022.
The President also directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to facilitate the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the NTESDP 2018-2022.
The Order mandated TESDA to ensure that all skills development programs and schemes conform with the objectives of the NTESDP 2018-2022 and all skills trainings and development should be aligned with the Philippine Qualifications Framework and all instituted standards.
The TESDA is also required to submit a semi-annual report on the implementation of the NTESDP 2018-2022 to the Office of the President, through the Department of Trade and Industry.
The TESDA adopted Resolution 2018-12 on April 25, 2018, approving the fourth cycle NTESDP 2018-2022 which was anchored on the national goals priorities enunciated in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2018-2022 and the “Ambisyon Natin 2040” pursuant to Duterte’s “10-Point Socio-Economic Agenda”.
Malacañang has promised to work harder to reduce poverty in the country after recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that fewer Filipinos consider themselves poor.
“Poverty reduction efforts, particularly those designed for the lowest rung of society, remains on track,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Wednesday (June 19).
Results of the SWS survey conducted from March 28 to 31, 2019, showed a record-low 38 percent (or an estimated 9.5 million) of families who consider themselves poor.
“We aim to reduce poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022, which is equivalent to lifting about 6 million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of the President’s term. And we will grind daily to reach this goal,” Panelo said.
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