June 03, 2026
In line with its commitment to expanding opportunities for Filipino learners and workers, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) formally sealed partnerships with various industry and development stakeholders to strengthen technical vocational education and training (TVET) initiatives in sustainability, agriculture, regional development, and transport services.
According to TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, the agreements, signed during a ceremony last May 21 at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig, reflect the agency’s continuing efforts to ensure that TVET programs remain aligned with evolving industry and workforce demands.
“Kaya napakahalaga po ng partnerships for us. Our partners help us go further in advancing our mission. Pinalalakas ninyo ang kakayahan ng TESDA na makapaghatid ng mas relevant at mas responsive na skills training. And hindi lang training for the sake of training, but training that leads to trabaho,” Sec. Kiko said in his message to the industry partners.
Among the agreements signed is between TESDA and Bayo Manila Inc., which aims to modernize garment and textile training by refurbishing a Dressmaking NC II facility at the TESDA Women’s Center and establishing a handloom weaving laboratory. The initiative also seeks to strengthen sustainable and creative skills development, while promoting circular economy-driven workforce development programs and preserving Filipino craftsmanship.
Further, TESDA formalized its collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority to support the implementation of the Mindanao Agenda Framework. This partnership advances human capital development initiatives in the Mindanao Development Corridors and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) by promoting lifelong learning, employability, and institutional support for regional development platforms.
The agency also partnered with Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura Foundation Inc. to implement and promote dual agritech programs. These integrate classroom instruction, farm-based hands-on training, and industry immersion in digital agriculture, crop and livestock production, food processing, and agri-entrepreneurship to help modernize agriculture education and develop a more innovative and technology-driven agricultural workforce.
TESDA likewise signed an agreement with inDrive through RL Soft Corporation to strengthen skills development programs for workers in the transport network vehicle services (TNVS) sector by equipping drivers with technical competencies, professionalism, safety practices, and customer service skills that promote safe, efficient, inclusive, and professional transport services.
Meanwhile, the TESDA chief also underscored the importance of collaboration in building a more future-ready and inclusive workforce, “The work before us is big, but the partnerships we sealed today are a reminder that no challenge is too big when we work together.”
These initiatives support President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Training to Trabaho vision, which promotes accessible and future-ready skills development programs that create better pathways to employment and livelihood for Filipino workers.
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