TESDA Director General, Secretary Irene M. Isaac, delivered the opening remarks for the Launch of the Philippine Certification and Assessment Program last January 21, 2016 at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.  The Launch included a demonstration of TESDA’s assessment and certification process for 3 qualifications (Housekeeping NC II, Front Office Services NC II, and Food and Beverage Services NC II) as well as discussions on TESDA’s Registry and STAR Rating Systems, among others.  
The Launch was among the highlights of the annual Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF), a cooperative effort to promote the ASEAN region as one tourist destination.  This year’s Forum was hosted by the Philippines from January 18 to 25 and involved the tourism industry sectors of the 10 ASEAN member nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
TESDA is the Philippines’ Professional Certification Board (TBCP) under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP) that aims to facilitate the freer movement and employment of qualified and certified personnel between ASEAN member countries.