Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended the government’s efforts to meet the growing demand for job-ready graduates who can sustain the nation’s economic growth as he joined the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in celebrating its 27th anniversary and National Technical – Vocational (Tech-Voc) Day on Wednesday, August 25.

In a message delivered virtually for the event, Go thanked the men and women who are working hard to make TESDA stronger and even more effective in its mandate to produce top-tier talent who can fulfill the country’s workforce needs.

“Sa lahat ng empleyado ng TESDA down to the utility workers at security guards, salamat sa inyong serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan sa panahong ito. My warmest greetings to the men and women of TESDA as we celebrate 27 years of service,” said Go.

“This celebration, along with the National Tech-Voc Day, grants our TESDAns a plethora of opportunities to learn about our government programs as well as opportunities to build skills to become a better and more competitive Filipino workforce,” he added.

The Senator highlighted the digital innovations carried out by the agency to bring its services closer to the people amid the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) and National TVET Enrollment Day.

The WCO is an online platform developed by TESDA where job applicants can facilitate transactions with partner government agencies and process their job requirements and documents. The WCO will include financial institutions in the near future so clients can avail livelihood assistance to start their own businesses.

On the other hand, Filipinos may apply for free tech-voc training through the TESDA website especially during the National TVET Enrollment Day which is being held from August 25 to 27.

“Thank you to everyone who made these opportunities possible for our fellow Filipinos, Through these platforms, TESDAns will enter an era that opens them to global competitiveness and workforce job-readiness,” stated Go.

“And with TESDA’s partnership with companies from the Information and Technology industry, they encourage striking developments as we continue to battle the pandemic. Your dedication to ensure that no working Filipino is left behind is truly noteworthy,” he affirmed.

Go also expressed his sincere gratitude for being awarded the National Kabalikat Award. The Kabalikat Award is given to TESDA’s outstanding partners who have made exemplary contributions in the advancement of TVET training in the country.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, he vowed to continue to work closely with the Duterte Administration to develop and expand access to technical-vocational training programs.

“Ang Technical and Vocational education ay isa sa mga pinaka-importanteng stratehiya upang mapalawak ang kakayahan ng ating mga mamamayang Pilipino, hindi lamang para sa kanilang sarili o sa kanilang pamilya, kung ‘di maging na rin sa ating bayan,” said Go.

“Asahan ninyo na patuloy ko pong isusulong ang mga programa at inisyatibo, katulad na lamang ng pagpapalawig ng technical and vocational education para sa ikalalakas ng ating mga mamamayang Pilipino. Narito lang kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he reassured.

TESDA has been a regular partner of Go’s team in his outreach activities around the country that aim to respond to the immediate needs of communities in distress and bring government programs closer to Filipinos.

In May, Go filed Senate Bill No. 2156 which institutionalizes the Zamboanga del Sur TESDA Provincial Training and Assessment Center in Labangan town to provide local residents in the province access to training courses for middle- and high-skill occupations.

The virtual gathering was also attended by TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña; Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Rosanna Urdaneta; Deputy Director General for Operations Lina Sarmiento; Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Linkages Aniceto Bertiz III; Certification Office Executive Director Maria dela Rama; David Bungallon, Executive Director of the National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development; Planning Office Executive Director Rosalina Constantino; and the TESDA Regional Directors, among others.SENATOR BONG GO