President Marcos said the government has allotted nearly P19 billion for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship programs this year, which he described as the largest budget in the agency’s history.

Speaking during the TESDA Ilocos Norte National Certification II mass graduation ceremony in Laoag City on Friday, Marcos said the increased funding would allow more Filipinos to acquire skills and improve their employment prospects.

“Ngayong taon, binigyan natin ang TESDA ng pinakamalaking budget sa kasaysayan nito (This year, we gave TESDA the largest budget in its history),” the President said Friday, Aug. 7.

“Halos P19 bilyon ang inilaan natin para sa mga scholarship program upang mas maraming Pilipino pa ang magkaroon ng pagkakataong matuto at magkaroon ng magandang hanapbuhay (We allotted nearly P19 billion for scholarship programs so that more Filipinos will have the opportunity to learn and secure good livelihoods),” he added.

Some 1,150 TESDA scholars completed National Certification II (NC II) programs in dressmaking and bartending during the mass graduation ceremony at the Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium.

Marcos said investing in Filipinos’ skills would help strengthen families, the economy, and the country’s future.

“Kapag namumuhunan tayo sa kakayahan ng Pilipino, namumuhunan tayo sa mas matatag na pamilya, mas masiglang ekonomiya, at mas magandang kinabukasan ng bansa (When we invest in the abilities of Filipinos, we invest in stronger families, a more vibrant economy, and a better future for the country),” he said.

The President also cited the expansion of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) program, which aims to better align technical-vocational training with employers' actual needs.

He said the government is also increasing support for the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program to help young Filipinos acquire skills needed for employment, while expanding the TESDA Online Program to make training more accessible to those who have difficulty attending classes in person.

Marcos likewise cited the Technical-Vocational Education and Training for Social Equity Program and TESDA’s strengthened micro-credentialing system, which is intended to accelerate training and certification for skilled workers.

“Bahagi lang ang mga programang ito ng ating layuning magbukas ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipinong handang magsikap para umasenso (These programs are only part of our goal of opening more opportunities for every Filipino who is willing to work hard to improve their lives),” the President said.

Marcos also thanked teachers and private sector partners for helping train Filipino workers and told the graduates that completing their TESDA programs marked the beginning of new opportunities rather than the end of their journey.