By Ma. Cristina Arayata/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña is inviting more people to avail of the “Tsuper Iskolar” program, which the agency launched in 2018, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Tsuper Iskolar” aims to provide scholarships and livelihood training to drivers, especially those affected by the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization. It also provides beneficiaries and their families with free skills training, skills assessment, and entrepreneurship training.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, Lapeña said “Tsuper Iskolar” is really a good program, and that everyone is welcome to apply for it.
He said the DOTr alloted PHP300 million for this program for 2019. “If you would compute that for a cost of PHP10,000 per training, then we would at least target 30,000 trainees for this year. Secretary Tugade told us he would provide additional budget should the need arises,” Lapena said.
The TESDA chief added that the “Tsuper Iskolar” program has no timeline and would run as long as needed.
What’s good about this program, he said, is that anyone interested is welcome to apply. Priority, of course, will be given to drivers affected by the PUV modernization program, indigenous people, and rebel returnees.
“We have also included the drivers’ families as beneficiaries of this program,” he added.
Lapeña clarified that courses for the drivers’ wives, such as bread and pastry production, cooking and dress making, have lesser training cost and would enable TESDA to accommodate more trainees.
“Another good thing about this program is that trainees are given PHP350 allowance per day. In our other scholarship programs, trainees only receive PHP160. Our TWSP (Training for Work Scholarship Program) doesn’t even provide an allowance,” he noted.
He added that some people are encouraged to avail of “Tsuper Iskolar” because of the allowance, as this serves as an assurance for them they have something to bring home and buy their basic needs like food.
At present, there are about 5,000 enrolees of “Tsuper Iskolar” program, and about 25,000 beneficiaries if one would include their families, according to Lapena.
The program was already formally launched in Regions 1, 9, 10, 11, ARMM, and NCR.
It is set to be launched in Region 7 on Friday, July 5.
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