MALACANANG, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday urged the scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) programs to use their knowledge to improve their lives.
In a speech delivered before an estimated 6,000 trainees and graduates during the gathering, which carried the theme “Pagpupugay sa mga TESDA Iskolar” at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, the President commended the leadership of TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva for the successful implementation of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.
The Chief Executive also hailed the achievements of the scholars, whose poverty-to-success stories have inspired those who also want a better future.
“Samot-saring programa ang ating pinag-isipan at inilunsad upang bigyang-lakas ang ating mamamayan para makilahok sa pag-asenso ng lipunan. Ngayong araw nga po, kasama ang TESDA, isa sa mga ahensiyang nagsusulong ng tinatawag nating inclusive growth, ipinagdiriwang natin ang tagumpay ng Technical Vocational Education and Training program. Gayundin, nagpupugay tayo sa transpormasyon sa buhay ng ating scholars. Sa inyong lahat po, congratulations,” said President Aquino.
The Aquino administration, through TESDA, has funded various programs, such as the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA), and the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).
From June 2010 to August 2015, the TWSP produced 877,943 graduates while the PESFA and the STEP had 127,232 and 43,500 graduates, respectively.
The TWSP was allocated P5.8 billion and the PESFA P1 billion from 2010 to 2015. The STEP, on the other hand, received a budget of P1.46 billion from 2014 to 2015.
“Malinaw po na patunay ang TESDA sa positibong transpormasyon ng ating mga institusyon. Huwaran ang inyong ahensiya kung paano tinutugunan ng Daang Matuwid ang pangangailangan ng ating mga Boss, at sa pagkakaroon ng isang gobyernong nakatutok sa paghahatid ng pangmatagalang benepisyo, lalo na sa mga mas nangangailangan,” the President further said.
President Aquino assured that in the remaining days of his term, the government will continue to provide opportunities. He also reminded the scholars that success rests in their own hands.
“Sa nalalabing panahon ko sa termino, patuloy nating gagawin ang tama at makatwiran upang makapaglatag ng mas maraming pagkakataon sa ating bansa. Ngunit gaya nga ng sinabi ng aking ama noong araw, ‘Kaya kitang pagbuksan ng pinto; pero nasa iyo, kung mananatiling bukas ito.’ Nasa inyo nga talaga kung hahakbang kayo papasok; sa dulo ng lahat ng ating pagsisikap, nasa inyong kamay ang pagsasagad sa oportunidad, nasa inyong mga kamay ang pag-asenso,” he said.
President Aquino also called on the scholars to vote wisely in the coming election.
“Sa 2016, haharap pong muli ang sambayanan sa sangandaan, kung saan pipili tayo ng mga susunod na pinuno ng bayan. Ang tanong nga po: Lahat ba ng ating pinaghirapan, lahat ba ng ating napagtagumpayan, maglalaho lang dahil sa isang eleksiyon? Harinawa, muli tayong magkaisa at tumahak sa iisang direksiyon; ituloy natin ang mga repormang gagawing permanente ang tinatamasa nating pagbabago; ituloy natin ang pamumunong nagawa na at gagawin pa ang nararapat sa Pilipino; ituloy natin ang pagtahak sa Daang Matuwid—ang landas kung saan sa pag-unlad ay walang maiiwanan,” he said.
“Kaya mga kasama, ulitin ko lang ho, ang kinabukasan po, hindi totoong mayroon nang nakatakdang kapalaran para sa atin. Tayo ang gumagawa ng kapalaran, sa ngayon, sa tulong ng Poong Maykapal, bibigyan niya tayo ng daan para maabot ang lahat nang ating mga pangarap,” the President concluded.
The three outstanding scholars who shared their success stories were Merryll Llorvin, a visual graphic artist at the United Christian Academy in Parañaque City; Renji Arcilla, owner of a manpower training center in San Jose, Batangas; and Cristina Reyes, owner of the Habitat Spa in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
Present at the event, which also recognized the partnership of TESDA with various organizations and the private sector, were Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz; Education Secretary Armin Luistro; Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.; Pasay City Representative Imelda Calixto-Rubiano; Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto; Oriental Mindoro Governor and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines President Alfonso Umali, Jr.; Pampanga Representative Yeng Guiao; Senator Bam Aquino; and Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President Atty. Adel Tamano.
President Aquino attends TESDA Scholars’ Day at Cuneta Astrodome
