TESDA-Apayao rolled out info drive, brings gov’t services closer to the public

LUNA, Apayao— The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here conducted an information caravan on September 6, 2019 in a bid to bring government programs and services closer to the public and uplift their lives.

“This is our way to strengthen and expand TESDA programs and services at the grassroots level and to foster the Department of Trade and Industry-led Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) among existing and potential micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in poverty-stricken barangays,” said Engr. Victor Brioso, TESDA Apayao Provincial Director.

He mentioned that TESDA offers scholarships such as the Training for Work Scholarship Programs (TWSP), Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA), and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), and Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

He explained that UAQTEA provides free tuition and other school fees in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) and state-run Technical Vocational Institutions (STVIs), establishing the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program (SLP), strengthening the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

TWSP provides immediate interventions to meet the need for the highly critical skills for higher level of technology.

He said the program is in response to the clamor of the industry to address the shortage in needed critical skills, particularly the Business Process Outsourcing, metals and engineering, construction and tourism, among others.

PESFA is an educational grant given to marginalized but deserving students in post-secondary non-degree courses; while the STEP is a community-based specialty training program that addresses the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented activities.

He mentioned that a community-based training program will be provided to each of the barangay after submitting the names of the prospective trainees with corresponding skills training of their choice that may use indigenous materials available on their barangays.

Around 1,200 participants attended the information caravan.

Currently, applicants for scholarship programs offered by Apayao Training Center are being process. (Hazel Joy Torida/TESDA-Apayao)