Latest news with #TechnicalEducationandSkillsDevelopmentAuthority
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
AI Institute under TESDA eyed in Albay
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is expected to be launched in Albay by October, Albay Representative Adrian Salceda said Friday. Salceda said the AI Readiness Institute, which was discussed in a meeting between him and TESDA chief Francisco Benitez, will equip workers, students, and entrepreneurs with skills 'needed to thrive in an economy increasingly shaped by AI.' 'The program is expected to be offered before October. It will initially focus on the province's large virtual assistant workforce, many of whom are based in the third district, and will cover TESDA assessment fees for its free online programs to ensure certifications remain accessible,' he said. 'Gusto ko po mauna tayo dito sa Albay kasi marami po tayong virtual assistants na magbebenepisyo dito. Marami din pong mga estudyante ang interesado,' Salceda added. (We want Albay to first get a piece of it because we have a lot of virtual assistants who will benefit from this. A lot of students are also interested.) Over time, Salceda said the AI institute will branch out into AI applications in agriculture, the delivery of government services, public safety and disaster response, and basic health services. In the same meeting, Salceda and Benitez discussed measures to boost rice productivity in Albay's third district such as targeted farmer training, the introduction of AI-assisted crop management tools, and expanded access to TESDA's agri mechanization and precision agriculture courses. 'This is in adherence to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s call to increase the yield of our farmers, improve farmgate incomes, and strengthen food security,' Salceda added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
PH, Micronesia strengthen labor ties with pact ensuring rights and protections for OFWs
The Philippines and the Federated States of Micronesia have signed a joint declaration of intent (JDI) to strengthen labor cooperation and ensure the protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Oceanian region. The agreement was signed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Micronesia's Justice Secretary and Attorney General Leonito Bacalando Jr. According to the DMW, the JDI highlights both countries' commitment to fair, ethical, and sustainable labor practices. It guarantees labor rights and social protection for OFWs, including equal access to employment benefits and social security systems similar to those received by local workers in Micronesia. 'This is a great step forward, the signing. Filipino contributions are valuable to our nation's development,' said Bacalando. The agreement also paves the way for the deployment of more Filipino workers in Micronesia's key sectors such as construction, healthcare, education, and services. Skills certification and job matching will be facilitated through a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). A total of 1,891 OFWs were deployed to Micronesia between 2015 and 2024. The declaration also includes provisions to strengthen cooperation in addressing irregular migration. Both countries committed to enhanced measures to combat illegal recruitment, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and document fraud. 'We will continue working towards a full memorandum of understanding (MOU) that guarantees safe and fair employment for our OFWs,' Cacdac said in a statement.
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
First batch of Community Mortgage Program sites to be awarded by October
State-run Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is looking to award the first batch of Community Mortgage Program (CMP) sites by October this year, as the government has revived the program that allows beneficiaries to borrow up to P750,000 for housing assistance. According to the SHFC, eight initial CMP sites have been identified, and are targeted to be awarded by October this year: in Ilocos Norte; Ilocos Sur; Iloilo City; Pasig City; Roxas City; Tanay, Rizal; and Valenzuela. A total of 34 sites have been identified for the national scope of the CMP. 'These projects represent not just houses but hope, dignity, and stability for thousands of Filipino families. This move reflects our strong commitment to address the housing needs of the underserved through direct community empowerment,' SHFC president and chief executive officer Federico Laxa said in a statement. Based on the CMP overview on the SHFC website, the CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program, which seeks to assist legally organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership. Under the program, member-beneficiaries can borrow P400,000 for onsite; P480,000 for horizontal housing; up to P750,000 for vertical housing; and P350,000 for farm lot, and P50,000 for farmer support assistance. CMP loans bear 6% interest per year, based on the outstanding balance and payable over a maximum period of 25 years in equal monthly amortizations. According to the SHFC, the revival of the CMP comes with 'key enhancements' to eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate project implementation, such as the provision of an additional credit component dedicated to site upgrading on top of the initial loan for lot acquisition. 'This aims to ensure that CMP communities are no longer considered informal or blighted settlements,' the SHFC said. 'We will be more transformative with our CMP projects to ensure the continuous improvement of the communities we serve,' Laxa said. Laxa said the SHFC will also collaborate with other agencies to ensure that beneficiaries can access a broader range of services, such as the planned partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide skills training and capacity-building programs to boost long-term income prospects. A dedicated task force has also been established to fast-track the evaluation and approval of CMP projects. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Massive Philippine flag ready for Palaro opening
A giant Philippine flag, as long as a basketball court, is ready to take center stage for the opening of the Palarong Pambansa in Laoag City. The flag was made by weavers from Piddig, Ilocos Norte, who were trained by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It will be featured in the opening ceremony at the Ferdinand Marcos Stadium. The giant flag, sewn by hand, took several weeks to finish due to its size and the detailed stitching required. The entire process took place inside a covered court to ensure the flag's design was accurate and proportionate. The weavers hope their work will showcase not only their skill but also their pride in contributing to a national event that celebrates youth, sports, and unity.
Filipino Times
28-02-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
TESDA powers up workforce development with signing of EBET Act IRR
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is strengthening workforce development through the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, aiming to enhance skills training, improve employability, and bridge the gap between education and industry. Today, February 28, TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco 'Kiko' B. Benitez, together with key government officials, industry leaders, and education stakeholders signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 12063 or the EBET Framework Act. Secretary Jose Francisco 'Kiko' Benitez TESDA Deputy Director General Nelly Dillera The IRR provides guidelines for implementing the EBET Framework Act, which seeks to strengthen collaboration between TESDA, enterprises, and TVET institutions to ensure that the country's workforce is equipped with skills aligned with industry demands. 'The EBET Framework Act is a landmark, transformative law that allows us to keep pace with the evolving job market here and abroad,' said Benitez. 'This IRR, crafted by TESDA and stakeholders in a judicious process, carves the path for the Filipino worker to upskill and reskill towards gainful careers.' The EBET Framework Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr. last November 2024, is designed to expand enterprise-based training opportunities, encourage industry participation in curriculum development and theoretical instruction, and enhance on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs. It aligns with TESDA's goal of repositioning TVET as a key driver of economic growth and innovation. 'We have seen how EBET contributes to our 'Training to Trabaho' vision, as proven by the 85.48% employment rate of TESDA's EBET graduates, Sec. Kiko added. Industries have expressed support for the initiative. Apart from being eligible for tax incentives, businesses who take part in EBET stand to gain by employing an aptly skilled workforce. Rafael Cabrera, HR Manager of Maclin Electronics, Inc., highlighted how enterprise-based training provides a boost to Filipino workers, which ultimately helps enterprises. 'Malaki yung difference nung enterprise-based graduates compared sa vocational-based graduates. Kasi yung graduates ng EBET ay naka-tailor fit dun sa kung anumang needs ng company namin,' he said. For his part, Engr. Dario Tolentino, Senior Manager of Ramcar Technologies, Inc., emphasized the importance of hands-on training, which eventually created a 'training-to-trabaho' pathway for him. 'Doon sa factory, we were exposed sa actual workload ng planta. We were not treated as trainees but rather as part of the workforce already. Ang kagandahan ay na-expose kami safuture endeavor namin,' Tolentino said, who is a graduate of an enterprise-based program at the Dualtech Training Center in Laguna. With the IRR now in place, TESDA will collaborate closely with various industry partners to implement the framework on a nationwide scale.
