Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholars can start receiving their scholarship allowances digitally after the agency renewed its partnership with top mobile wallet Gcash.
TESDA and G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) announced the nationwide implementation of their partnership to provide the former’s scholars the option to receive their Training Support Fund (TSF) via GCash.
Back in December 2020, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by TESDA and GXI for the disbursement of allowances through GCash. As a result of the agreement, the pilot implementation in the National Capital Region (NCR), and Regions IV-A, VII, and XI was carried out in 2021.
TESDA’s adoption of GCash is seen as a move by the agency to achieve efficiency during the pandemic as TSF distribution will be remitted digitally, saving its scholars the trouble of going to field offices to receive allowances.
“This is our response to the New Normal. The pandemic has altered the ordinary way of doing things and TESDA has to keep pace,” TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said.
The TESDA chief added that as part of its “Oplan TESDA Abot Lahat: TVET towards the New Normal,” the agency has been looking for ways of continuing to serve its clients amid pandemic without compromising their safety.
“We need to protect the welfare of both our scholars and personnel and lessen face-to-face transactions,” Lapeña added.
TESDA scholars need only to download the GCash app on their smartphones through Google Play Store or App Store, and coordinate with authorized TESDA representatives to receive their training support fund which is Php 160.00 per training day and other allowances for internet and uniform.
The release of training allowances via GCash is not mandatory. Scholars are free to choose whether they want to receive their allowances through checks or through their GCash accounts.
Meanwhile, TESDA is not closing possible partnership with other e-wallets which can deliver the same services. The Agency is also planning to tap LandBank of the Philippines for the release of allowances of scholars under the Diploma Programs and Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).