TESDA thanks DBM for timely release of scholarship budget

March 16, 2023

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) welcomed the announcement of the Department of Budget Management (DBM) that it has approved the release of P3.410 billion for the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) for existing learners.

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz said that the timely release of the budget will significantly help the agency reach its target of 1.8 million graduates for 2023.

The said budget, he added, is higher than the P2.910 billion budget allocation for UAQTEA in 2022.

“The budget allocation to TESDA for the implementation of UAQTEA, which is higher this 2023 compared to the previous years, is crucial in providing tech-voc training to Filipinos, specifically to those who cannot afford to go to college,” the TESDA Chief said.

DG Cruz also clarified that the Agency is still requesting for additional budget to cover the cost of training for new entrants to the program.

Meanwhile, TESDA spokesperson Deputy Director General Aniceto D. Bertiz III said that higher-level technical vocational education and training (TVET) or 3-year diploma programs are being funded under the UAQTEA.

He said that UAQTEA scholars receive benefits such as free tuition and miscellaneous fees, as well as trainee support provisions such as costs for national competency assessment, learning materials, 1-year accident insurance, and a training support fund.

The Diploma programs also offer workers and tech-voc graduates more ways to upgrade their qualifications or proceed to further studies in college. Graduates of diploma programs will be our technologists, technicians, and supervisors who are needed to help invigorate the local economy.

According to TESDA data, there are over 500 Diploma programs being implemented by public and private institutions.  In 2022, the agency has recorded a total of 4,526 graduates of the 3-year Diploma programs.

These Diploma programs include titles such as Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology; Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology; Diploma in Automotive Technology; Diploma in Agricultural Technology; Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology; and, Diploma in Information Technology, among others.