Senator Joel Villanueva expressed alarm over the decline in the number of currently enrolled TESDA scholars for free training.
Data show that there are only 12,393 enrolled scholars which is lower than the pre-COVID target of 400,000 scholars and post-COVID target of 200,000.
Senator Nancy Binay also observed the possibility of shift in job demand and training after the pandemic as some sectors including the tourism industry face challenges in terms of recovery.
TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeῆa explained that they will be able to roll out more of their training courses once quarantine protocols are eased. TESDA’s Php 1 billion scholarship program is distributed as follows: Php 300 million for agri-fisheries and agri business, Php 300 million for construction, Php 200 million for manufacturing, Php million for health and wellness, and Php 100 million for other sectors.
“We are confident that we can use these funds para sa ating mga kababayan, your honor (We are confident that we can use these funds for our citizens, you honor),” he expressed.
“Ang daming nangangailangan ng training, your honor. Ang kinakailangan kasi rito kapag nagkakaroon ng lifting, we can go full speed ahead in our training. Ang daming naghihintay niyan (Many people are in need of our training, your honor. What we need is to go full speed ahead in our training once there is lifting [of restrictions]),” he added. – Report from Eunice Samonte
