OFWs thank TESDA for free assessment, certification program

June 17, 2026

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong have expressed their appreciation to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for bringing assessment and certification services closer to Filipino communities abroad through the Overseas Assessment Program (OAP).

Under the leadership of Secretary Kiko Benitez, the OAP enables OFWs to undergo assessment and earn TESDA National Certificates (NCs) and Certificates of Competency without returning to the Philippines, saving them time and resources while strengthening their professional credentials.

In Riyadh, TESDA, in partnership with the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), once again conducted the OAP for Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Assessment opportunities were offered in Caregiving NC II, Health Care Services NC II, Massage Therapy NC II, and Barista NC II.

Meanwhile, TESDA successfully conducted the first-ever OAP in Al Khobar through partnerships with the Department of Migrant Workers, Procare Hospital, and the Saudi-Canadian Training & Simulation Center. The initiative provided assessment services for Caregiving NC II and Health Care Services NC II, making certification services more accessible to OFWs in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

In Jeddah, also in partnership with DMW, workers were assessed in Caregiving NC II, Caregiving (Elderly) NC II, Health Care Services NC II, Massage Therapy NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III, PV Systems Installation NC II and Early Childhood Care Development NC III.

The combined OAP activities in Saudi Arabia resulted in the assessment of 1,056 OFWs, with 946 successfully earning their National Certificates, translating to a 90 percent certification rate.

In Hong Kong, TESDA also conducted an assessment for Massage Therapy NC II, where 57 OFWs underwent assessment, and 49 successfully obtained their National Certificates, achieving an 86 percent certification rate.

Nuraina Sabdani, an infection control nurse based in Riyadh, expressed her gratitude for the government initiative. She said the program provides greater flexibility for workers, avoiding the need to travel back to the Philippines, and the associted costs, just to undergo assessment.

“Napaka-grateful po namin na may ganitong initiative ang government. That way, hindi na kailangang umuwi ng mga OFW natin sa ‘Pinas just to have an assessment. This gives them more flexibility,” she said.

Rosalee Matanog, an OFW based in Hong Kong, also expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing how fortunate OFWs are to have programs that directly cater to their needs.

“Napakaswerte po ng mga OFW na katulad ko kasi talagang pinaglaanan talaga nila ng time yung mga OFW. Concerned talaga sila sa aming OFW,” she said, noting the government’s strong attention and commitment to the welfare of overseas workers.

Additionally, during his visit to Hong Kong, Sec. Kiko and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen collaboration on skills development, assessment, certification, scholarship support, and reintegration services for OFWs and their families.

“Through initiatives like the Overseas Assessment Program, we are ensuring that Filipino workers—wherever they are in the world—have access to opportunities for upskilling, certification, and dignity in work, in line with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s vision of a globally competitive Filipino workforce,” Sec. Kiko said.

OFWs: Salamat, TESDA sa Libreng Assessment at Certification!

Nagpapasalamat sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sa Saudi Arabia at Hong Kong sa paghahatid ng libreng assessment at certification sa mga Filipino communities sa ibang bansa sa pamamagitan ng Overseas Assessment Program (OAP).
 
Sa pamumuno ni Secretary Kiko Benitez, ang OAP ay nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga OFWs na sumailalim sa assessment at makakuha ng TESDA National Certificate (NC) o Certificate of Competency (COC) na hindi na kailangang bumiyahe pa pabalik sa Pilipinas.

Sa Riyadh, muling idinaos ng TESDA ang OAP, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Philippine Embassy at Migrant Workers Office (MWO) para sa mga OFWs sa Kingdom of Saudi ARabia. Ang assessment ay para sa Caregiving NC II, Health Care Services NC II, Massage THerapy NC II at Barista NC II.

Samantala, matagumpay ring nagsagawa ng kauna -unahang OAP sa Al Khobar, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Migrant Workers, Procare Hospital at Saudi-Canadian Training & Simulation Center. Ang assessment ay para naman sa Caregiving NC II at Health Care Services NC II upang gawing abot-kamay ang certification services para sa silangang lalawigan ng Saudi Arabia.

Nakipagtulungan rin ang DMW sa TESDA para naman sa assessment na idinaos sa Jeddah para sa Caregiving NC II, Caregiving (Elderly) NC II, Health Care Services NC II, Massage Therapy NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III, PV Systems Installation NC II at Early Childhood Care Development NC III.

Ang pinagsanib na OAP sa Saudi Arabia ay nagresulta sa assessment ng 1,056 OFWs, kung saan 946 OFWs  o 90 porsyento ang pumasa at nakakuha ng kanilang National Certificates.

Sa Hong Kong, nagdaos rin ang TESDA ng assessment para sa Massage Therapy NC II, Kong saan 57 OFWs ang nagpa-assess at 49 ang pumasa ant na Katanga ng kanilang National Certificates. Ito ay katumbas ng 86 na porsyento ng pagpasa.

Lubos na nagpapasalamat si Nuraina Sabdani, isang infection control nurse sa Riyadh sa inisyatibong ito ng pamahalaan.  Ayon sa kanya, ang OAP ay pabor sa mga OFWs na hindi na kailangang gumastos at bumiyahe pa pabalik sa Pilipinas para lamang magpa-assess.

“Napaka-grateful po namin na may ganitong initiative ang government. That way, hindi na kailangang umuwi ng mga OFW natin sa ‘Pinas just to have an assessment. This gives them more flexibility,” sabi niya.

Nagpaabot rin ng paghanga sa inisyatibo si Rosalee Matanog, isang OFW sa Hong Kong, at binigyang-diin na mapalad  ang mga OFWs dahil sa mga programang tumutugon sa kanilang pangangailangan.

“Napakaswerte po ng mga OFW na katulad ko kasi talagang pinaglaanan talaga nila ng time yung mga OFW. Concerned talaga sila sa aming OFW,” ayon sa kanya at binigyang-pansin ang commitment at atensyong ibinibigay ng pamahalaan sa kapakanan ng mga manggagawa sa labas ng bansa.

Gayundin, sa pagbisita sa Hong Kong, nilagdaan nina Sec. Kiko at Overseas Welfare Administration Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan ang Memorandum of Agreement upang higit na palakasin ang patutulungan sa mga programs sa skills development, assessment, certification, scholarship support at reintegration ng mga OFWs at ng kanilang pamilya.

“Through initiatives like the Overseas Assessment Program, we are ensuring that Filipino workers—wherever they are in the world—have access to opportunities for upskilling, certification, and dignity in work, in line with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s vision of a globally competitive Filipino workforce,” ayon kay Sec. Kiko.