Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9) — Director General Isidro Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) admitted in a House budget hearing that the agency does not have ample equipment for blended learning as they adapt to the new normal.
Lapeña told the hearing on Wednesday that procurement of ICT (information and communications techology) equipment such as laptop computers and ICT structures is part of TESDA’s ₱13.5 billion proposed budget for 2021.
“At present, we have this online program but we will be needing more equipment for the blended program to reach out to scholars in the different provinces,” he said.
Lapeña, however, said that they have 71 online programs that can be accessed through their website.
The House lawmakers also urged TESDA to offer “more relevant” trainings to its scholars in the agriculture and construction industries to help more Filipinos land long-term and sustainable jobs.
Deputy Speaker Deogracias Savellano also asked the agency for possible trainings involving the bamboo industry since the country has been importing bamboo products from China.
In response, Lapeña said TESDA is in talks with the Philippine Bamboo Association in order to offer bamboo processing trainings in the future.
Majority of TESDA’s budget will be allocated to the scholarships that the agency gives out nationwide.
