OFW rights advocate takes vacant TESDA post

TAGUIG CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's (TESDA) Partnerships and Linkages now have its new Deputy Director General (DDG).

 

It was after ACTS-OFW Partylist Chairperson Aniceto "John" Bertiz III took his oath to TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña in yesterday's flag raising ceremony here at the TESDA Central Office.

 

Bertiz was one of the strong partners of TESDA in the Congress who helped in providing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents access to skills training, resources, and peer mentoring.

 

During his term in Congress, he is one of the principal authors of the Republic Act 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act" signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte last August 3, 2017.

 

As a former lawmaker, Bertiz was part of the official delegation composing the Joint Crisis Management Team that assisted the immediate repatriation of some 11, 000 stranded OFWs who were laid off in the Middle East in 2017.

 

"I thank the President for his trust and confidence, and humbly accept the opportunity to be once again at the service of our nation and our people, especially those who have lost their jobs during this pandemic and our returning OFWs," he said.

 

Meanwhile, Lapeña expressed his enthusiasm for having Bertiz as part of the TESDA team in this time of crisis.

 

"I am very grateful having Deputy Director General Bertiz with us, especially now that we are further strengthening our relationships with our OFWs. He can certainly help ensure the success of 'TESDA Abot Lahat Ang OFWs," he said.

 

ACTS - OFW Partylist also provided training access to 470 women sari-sari store and carinderia owners and operators under the TESDA Star Coke Program.

 

Lapeña consulted the OFWs last month to hear their concerns and formulated solutions to address their needs.

 

As a result, TESDA immediately launched the OFW online registration on its mobile application to provide former and returning OFWs the skills training they need and ensure that TESDA Malasakit Helpdesks located at the airports are active in providing assistance to arriving OFWs.