December 14, 2018

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have joined forces to provide skills training to drivers, operators and their families who will be affected by the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP)of the government.

This after TESDA Director General, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, and DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in the enforcement of the “PUV Modernization Stakeholder Support Mechanism Component” last Dec. 11.

It wil be implemented until 2022.

The MOA signing was held at the TESDA Board Room at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City and was witnessed by TESDA Executive Director Ma. Magdalena P. Butad with DOTr OIC-Undersecretary Mark Richmund M. De Leon.

Tugade expressed his delight when the MOA was finally signed.

“Huwag na nating payagang ma-delay pa ito dahil sayang ang mga years na pinalagpas at binabaybay natin na walang program,” said Tugade.

“Automatic ‘yung response ko na ito ay pagtulong. Ang ating mandato ay mag-train, pagkatapos ng training then a job after,” said Lapeña in response.

Lapeña assured those affected by the program that after their skills training, the agency will also assist the beneficiaries to find jobs through the help of partner agencies.

The DOTr has earmarked P350,000,000 for training and social assistance for stakeholders who will be affected by the modernization plan.

“The budgetary appropriation transfer contemplated in this MOA shall be used by the TESDA for the program from 2018 to 2022. It shall cover the training and assessment fees, daily allowance, displaced/existing stakeholders and/or their beneficiaries, and administrative/monitoring cost,” according to the PUV Modernization Program's Stakeholder Support Mechanism Component.

Under the PUVMP, jeepneys and buses which are more than 15 years old will be replaced by newer vehicles with more energy efficient and environmentally friendly engines.

The MOA says that the DOTr will issue a Letter of Advise of Allotment Release (LAAR) for the transfer of funds to the TESDA which is divided into two tranches.

Beneficiaries of the program will include those who have lost their jobs or source of income due to the implementation of the PUVMP; those who have voluntarily chosen to leave the industry; those who have opted to continue on as driver/operator; and, new drivers/operators.

The DOTr will determine and approve the list of beneficiaries based on their qualifications.

Every beneficiary of the TESDA training programs will be given free training and assessment, and will get a daily training allowance of P350 which will be given after the training is completed.

The agencies will collaborate to develop training regulations and curricula for needed qualifications such as: Transport Safety Officers, Automotive Servicing, Fleet Management, and other related courses.

The beneficiaries will be required to submit the necessary documents for their chosen training program.