MANILA – The head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is urging local government units (LGUs) to take-over the supervision of TESDA training centers in the provinces.
“We are urging the LGUs to accept the devolution process in the skills training centers. There are many things that the LGUs can do for these and for the people,” TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling Mamondiong, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday.
He added that the devolution is mandated by law.
“Maybe, the LGUs are hesitant to supervise the centers because they are thinking that would cost them money, and where would they get the budget to hire employees and for other operational aspects of the center,” he said.
Mamondiong said under his watch, there’s only one TESDA training center that has been turned over to the LGU – the one in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon province.
The Manolo Fortich Technical Skills and Development Center was officially turned over to the town government on Thursday.
“There are many people, especially the indigenous people who would benefit from the center,” Mamondiong said.
The center was established in 2016.
Mamondiong said TESDA will guide the LGU of Manolo Fortich during the first year of devolution.
“We will guide them, of course, because they are new in this field. We will guide them with the operational aspects,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mamondiong told PNA that he made another commitment to the LGU of Manolo Fortich.
“I promised them to look for money to help build a dormitory for the trainees,” he said.
“Their Congresswoman has promised PHP5 million for the construction of a dormitory. I told them that if PHP5 million is not enough. I will provide,” Mamondiong said.
The dormitory is expected to accommodate 100 trainees. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
