Several lawmakers have cited the COVID-19 and agriculture initiatives of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
TESDA said that Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado complimented the recently launched Contact Tracing Level II Training Program during the House Committee on Appropriations budget deliberation for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TESDA .
"We commend the TESDA for coming up with this so-called Contact Tracing Training Program. I think this is a very timely program in the light of COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Bordado asked TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña if the agency has a plan on expanding the training program.
The TESDA chief explained that Contact Tracing Training Program expansion is already in progress.
"The Contact Tracing Training Program was rolled out last week and we have an ongoing training here at NCR. The plan of TESDA is to roll this out throughout the country and all training centers will be involved in this. As we know, contact tracing is one of the keys in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, your honor," Lapeña replied.
Aklan Rep. Ted Haresco thanked Lapeña for an outstanding implementation of agriculture training programs in his province.
"I would like to salute Gen. Lapeña for his very profound introduction of development and sustainability in my Province of Aklan. Thank you very much. You are not only teaching the farmers, but monitoring them for three years," he said.
Lapeña said that TESDA is planning to improve its services by purchasing mobile laboratory vehicles to reach far barangays in the country.
The presiding officer of the hearing, House Committee on Appropriation vice chairperson and Bukidnon Rep. Manuel Zubiri, backed Haresco’s statement and assured that TESDA has the committee’s support.
"Definitely, you're a partner. We need jobs out there and definitely you're the one that will help us with all the livelihood programs that will help all the people who have lost their jobs as well,” he said.
House Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Benny Abante said that as an economy prime mover and job-provider, DTI and TESDA should be given real importance by the government.
"DTI and TESDA for that matter are two of the key departments that are needed if we are to sustain our economy. These two agencies are providing jobs and running our economy," he said.
As requested by TESDA, a House resolution was signed by House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez directing the Department of Budget and Management to release the balances of appropriations and allotments for the TESDA scholarship programs amounting to P7.5 billion under Republic Act 11465 or the General Appropriations Act.