By Dhel Nazario The Tsuper Iskolar Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with the Department of Transportation, made its way to Western Visayas, awarding multiple scholarship slots to provinces in the region. An initial 300 slots, or 50 slots per province, were awarded by TESDA Director General, Secretary Isidro Lapeña, and DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Mark Richmund De Leon during a ceremony held at the Robinson’s Place Activity Center, Pavia, Iloilo City. (Philippine Information Agency - Iloilo via Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) The Certificates of Slot Allocation were received by the TESDA Provincial Directors of Region 6. The Tsuper Iskolar beneficiaries, or those families and their dependents affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, will receive free skills training and assessment, P350-daily transportation and food allowance, and free entrepreneurship training to help them better manage the possible effects of the modernization program. According to Lapeña, “under the Stakeholder Support Mechanism Component of the PUVMP, both TESDA and DOTr will help provide drivers and their dependents various skills training.  These include qualifications in sectors such as metals and engineering sector, tourism, electrical and electronics, garments and textiles, and automotive and information and communications technology, among others.” During the event, 200 beneficiaries from the various transport groups identified by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were profiled and screened to determine the training program that best suit their interests and potentials. The transport associations present during the event were Jaro Liko Jeepney Operations and Drivers Association, Inc. (JALITJODAI); Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association; Alliance of Provincial Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (APODTC); and, Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association. The Tsuper Iskolar program is now being implemented in several regions in the country including Regions I, X, IX, XI, II, VII, VIII, XII, CAR and NCR.  The last regional program launching event was held in General Santos City last August 2. Since January 2019, a total of 9,191 slots have been distributed to these regions for the Stakeholder Support Mechanism Component of the PUVMP.  There are currently 636 beneficiaries enrolled in different tech-voc programs. 195 beneficiaries of the program have already graduated from their respective courses.