May 3, 2019
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in an effort to reach out to more beneficiaries and stakeholders has extended to Davao region its “Tsuper Iskolar” scholarship program in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
TESDA Director General Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade led the launching of the program with the other TESDA and DOTr officials and the local government unit of Davao City at the RTC-Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center on Friday, May 3.
The Tsuper Iskolar program under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) inked on December 11 last year by the two agencies provides for the training and social assistance for stakeholders as identified under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
This scholarship, intended for jeepney drivers, their dependents, and other stakeholders under the PUVMP, is part of the Stakeholders Support Mechanism that includes the previous kick-off in Lingayen, Pangasinan last April 4.
The Tsuper Iskolar in Davao caters to a more diverse audience which includes 200 rebel returnees and IPs as among the 700 scholar-beneficiaries. The rebel returnees were identified by the 3rd, 6th, and 89th Infantry Battalion while the drivers, operators and dependents were identified by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Those who may avail of this scholarship program are PUV operators and drivers that may be affected by the PUVMP; stakeholders who opt to voluntarily exit the transport industry; stakeholders who want to continue in the transport industry; new stakeholders in the industry; and their family members/ dependents.
The scholarship ensures each beneficiary will get training support fund to cover food and transportation allowance equivalent to Php350 per training day attended for a maximum of 35 days. Some of the free skills training courses offered are on Driving, Automotive Servicing, Automotive Engine Rebuilding, among others. But the scholars are still entitled to pick the TESDA course they want including those under other different sectors such as agriculture and general infrastructure.
TESDA is currently developing the training regulation for Speed Limiter as this a requirement by the Speed Limiter Law or RA 10916.
TESDA, under Director General Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña vows to go more than giving skills training to TESDA scholars; he has directed all regional and provincial directors of TESDA to help graduates land a job and/or at least have livelihood after training.
“A job or livelihood after the skills training – this has been TESDA’s direction since my assumption and we will extend the necessary assistance to our graduates,” Lapeña said.
Also in support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s peace building advocacy, specifically detailed in the Executive No. 70, otherwise known as the “Task Force Balik-Loob” and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), TESDA undertakes programs for rebel returnees and their dependents like this to assist them in their re-inclusion as productive citizens of the society by providing free skills training and national certificates they can use for employment.
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