TESDA offers massive assessment and certification of bus drivers

10 July 2012

Bus drivers in Metro Manila can now find more centers run by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) where they can undergo competency assessment, free of charge, to get a driving National Certificate.
 
Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, announced the massive implementation of the assessment and certification of public utility drivers as part of their campaign for road safety in the country.
 
The 10,662 drivers of the 166 bus companies and operators plying Metro Manila roads are priority target of the assessment and certification this year. To date, a total of 3,540 drivers have been certified all over the country.

“There’s no more reason for bus drivers not to undergo the assessment and certification.  We have made available more TESDA assessment centers to accommodate them, wherever they may be from,” Villanueva said.
 
The assessment will be conducted for free under the National TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) Competency Assessment and Certification Program, which will run from July 9 to October 26 this year.  After this period, the assessment will continue in accredited assessment centers but for a fee.
 
Because of the lack of service buses, Villanueva said bus operators are encouraged to send their drivers to the TESDA centers for assessment under a “use-your-own-bus” scheme.  TESDA-accredited assessors will conduct the assessment.
 
The needs for the country’s public utility bus drivers to obtain a National Certificate was contained in Department of Transportation and Communication Order No. 2011-25 (Driver Proficiency Standard) and the Department of labor and Employment Order No. 118-12 (Employment and Working Conditions of Drivers and Conductors in the Public Utility Bus Transport Industry).  This is aimed at ensuring that drivers plying Metro Manila’s roads are skilled and trained in ferrying their passengers.
 
The application form and the self-assessment guide can be downloaded from www.tesda.gov.ph.
 
All the liaison officers of the bus companies are advised to file their application for the assessment at the nearest TESDA District Office in the following addresses and telephone numbers: