TESDA, DOTR launches ‘Tsuper Iskolar,’ provide skills training affected by modernization plan
TABUK CITY, Kalinga—Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have launched the scholarship program dubbed as “Tsuper Iskolar” which aims to provide skills training and social assistance to individuals that may be affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
PUVMP was launched by the DOTr of the Philippines in 2017, with the goal of making the country’s public transportation system efficient and environment friendly by 2020.
“Tsuper Iskolar aims to capacitate the stakeholders of the PUVMP through training and development of new training regulations to support the transportation industry,” said Engr. Manuel Wong, acting regional director of TESDA-CAR on Thursday.
He explained that the beneficiaries of the project will not be limited to displaced individuals affected by the PUVMP, but also stakeholders who opt to voluntarily exit from the transport industry.
“This project between TESDA and DOTr will not be limited to displaced individuals affected by the PUVMP, but also stakeholders who opt to continue in the transport industry, new stakeholders in the transport industry, and family members/dependents,” he explained.
He said that aspiring scholars must be Filipino citizen, and at least 18 years of age at the time he/she finishes the training program; and for certificate of competencies he/ she must be at least 15 years old at the start of the training program.
“Each scholar shall be entitled to free skills training, skills assessment, entrepreneurship training and a provision of PHP350 a day training allowance for a maximum of 35 days,” he said.
DOTR allocated a PHP350 million fund for the scholarship which will be used to finance the training and allowances of the scholars.
Wong said that multiple availment is allowed provided that the training shall be availed one at a time and not simultaneously.
He added that the additional qualifications must be related or towards higher level qualification.
Meanwhile, DOTr regional director Robert Allan Santiago said that his agency will identify the beneficiaries for the skills training that TESDA will be providing.
He also urged the transport sector and other stakeholders to take advantage of the scholarship.
“TESDA will surely provide training for skilled workers that are globally competitive so take advantage of their free skills training,” Santiago said.
It can be recalled that TESDA and DOTr signed on December 11 last year the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on stakeholder support mechanism component under the PUVMP.
The event on June 6, 2019 was also participated by the Kalinga Provincial Police Office (PPO), Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Kalinga Land Transportation Office, Office of the City Mayor, and Office of the Provincial Governor.
An estimated 300 individuals coming from Kalinga-based tech-voc institutions and five transport associations attended the launching: Kalinga-Apayao State College Association, Dagupan-Bulanao Association, Balbalan Jeepney Association, Vans Association, and Tabuk-Roxas Association. (Imee Dong-as, Pamela Mariz Geminiano/TESDA-CAR).
