Sen. Joel Villanueva, the Senate Committee on Finance Sub-Committee J chairman, slammed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for establishing training centers during the 2022 budget hearing on Monday, October 18.
Villanueva, a former TESDA secretary under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, told TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña that it is not in the mandate of the government agency to establish training centers in the country.
TESDA currently has 183 technological training institutions.
"Meron bang bagong probisyon ang RA 7796 that supports the establishment of TESDA provincial, municipal, or city training centers? (Is there a new provision in RA 7796 that supports the establishment of TESDA provincial, municipal, or city training centers?)," said Villanueva, who noted that the devolution of TESDA training functions must be passed to local government units.
Lapeña said that the establishment of training centers is not contradicting Section 29 of RA 7796 since TESDA is mandated to strengthen the network of national, regional and local skills training centers for the purpose of promoting skills development.
Villanueva, however, reminded Lapeña that the TESDA Law specifically says that it must formulate, implement and formulate a specific plan to effectively develop the capability of LGUs to provide community-based technical education and skills development opportunities through its well-trained personnel.
He added that it is not in the TESDA charter that it should administer and supervise provincial training centers.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian agreed with Villanueva saying that putting up training centers is not mandated in TESDA's charter.
Gatchalian added that it is much better for the government agency to focus on standards and direction on where it should go.
He also cautioned TESDA from 'bulking up' especially in adding more manpower with the construction of new training centers. (Melvin Sarangay)