TESDA Tarlac Joins the Regional TVET Stakeholder’s Conference
The TESDA Tarlac contingent headed by Director Ben-Hur B. Baniqued, met with other Directors and staff of TESDA provinces and Technical Vocational Institutions of Region III for the Regional Technical Vocational Education and Training Conference at the TESDA Regional Training Center, Guiguinto, Bulacan on May 12, 2017.
During his welcome speech, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado proudly asserted that Region II has come of age and is ready to face the challenge of economic revolution in the area.
In his speech, the TESDA Director General Guiling A. Mamondiong thanked the Technical Vocational Institution of the region for their being key players in realizing the Socio-economic Agenda of the Duterte Administration.
DG Mamondiong condemned the fixing of scholarship allocations. He heatedly emphasized that it will never be tolerated. “Those fixers do not represent any TESDA official,” he reiterated. He further revealed that the Tendering System was instituted to democratize scholarship allocations and put an end to corruption in the scholarship program.
“If you paid for fixer services, you are a part of the corrupt system and a major part of the problem,” warned the DG. He even half jested that the humid climate is a preview of what awaits the corrupt in prison.
He also revealed that TESDA employees must examples of a drug free Philippines and will undergo mandatory drug test.
RTC Guiguinto is slated to be regional center for excellence and will be the benchmark for Provincial Training Centers. Also all RTCs will have dormitories for trainees who live far from the centers. And for TESDA Units with aging infrastructures, the DG promised that funding will be provided for the upgrade and repair of TESDA offices and the good news did not end there as 700 Million will be allocated for equipment procurement.
Not to be left out, TVET trainers and assessors will be given Training Methodology scholarships to be paid back by the recipients with years of service in the government. To create awareness on this a national registration for TM will be initiated.
The DG however warned that, TVET providers should not conduct training on programs without employment prospects.
The good news did not end there, DG Mamondiong revealed that TESDA requested for 24 Billion to fund its programs and services. Out of it 12 Billion will be for Barangay Skills Training. For special interest groups, 500 thousand members will given skills training.
Under the Duterte administration, The Philippines will push for ASEAN Skills Development Council which will fund skills development in the region.
To reduce the gap between TVET programs and Ladderization and equivalency system leading to diploma programs will be implemented to elevate the level of accreditation. During the open forum, it was discussed and recommended that TVIs who embark on ladderization must follow CHED guidelines.
On the national level, it was revealed that President Duterte is pushing for and is serious in giving up the presidency as soon as government system converts to federalism.
Under the federal form of government, regions will become states and the unicameral system would be more responsive the needs of the people.
Federalism also will ensure that 80% of taxes will enjoyed by the public, as the greater part of the taxes paid will stay at state level, as opposed to the current rate of 40%.
