July 11, 2023

Top officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) gathered to assess its programs and craft strategies to further strengthen technical vocational education and training (TVET) implementation in the country.

Last June 29 - 30, newly appointed TESDA Director General, Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu, led the conduct of the agency’s National Directorate Conference (NDC) at the Tandang Sora Hall of the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City.

With the theme “Sa TESDA Lingap Ay Maaasahan,” the NDC aims to evaluate TESDA’s overall accomplishments from January to May 2023 in order to identify any performance gaps and to discuss operational issues and concerns.

During the conference, strategies, initiatives, and policy recommendations that will address operational challenges and further help the agency realize its goals and targets were also presented and considered.

“These conferences are indispensable for strengthening unity among our ranks.  It is also through these conferences that we gain a shared consciousness of what is happening within the organization as well as of the external factors that help us in making the important decisions for Philippine TVET,” said Secretary Mangudadatu.

At the same time, the Secretary expressed his delight in TESDA’s second-quarter performance in the recent PUBLiCUS Asia PAHAGAY Survey, where TESDA had the highest approval and trust ratings among Philippine government agencies for the 3rd consecutive quarter.

“Ito ay napakagandang balita na nagbibigay sa akin ng mas malalim na inspirasyon na magsilbi sa ating mga kababayan. Maraming salamat and congratulations to all of you. Sana ma-maintain natin, kahit hindi natin masurpass, ma-maintan lang po sana natin during my time as your Director General,” the TESDA chief said.

The TESDA Secretary likewise reminded the NDC participants to continue serving with commitment.

“Serve with a HEART. Always remember, that is our target. We serve with a HEART: high quality, efficient and effective, accessible, and relevant technical vocational education and training for Filipinos,” added Secretary Suharto.

Also discussed were the results of the recently concluded Administrators’ Conference, updates on the devolution for Provincial Training Centers (PTCs), and the Supporting Innovation in the Philippine TVET System (SIPTVETS) Project, among others.

The NDC likewise featured IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) Executive Director Frankie Antolin, who gave a presentation on the Philippine IT-BPM Industry Roadmap 2028, as well as Department of Labor and Employment Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr., who shared the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028.