PBBM: TESDA graduates ready to build better future for themselves, families

August 11, 2026

 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged a new batch of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) graduates in Ilocos Norte to use their newly acquired skills and certifications to pursue better opportunities, build their own livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Speaking to 1,150 graduates during a mass graduation ceremony at the Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium last week, President Marcos underscored the government’s commitment to investing in the skills and capabilities of Filipinos as a pathway toward improved lives and stronger communities.

“Kapag namumuhunan tayo sa kakayahan ng Pilipino, namumuhunan tayo sa mas matatag na pamilya, mas masiglang ekonomiya, at mas magandang kinabukasan ng bansa,” the President said.

Likewise, PBBM congratulated the graduates, noting that their completion of technical vocational education and training (TVET) marks not only the culmination of their hard work but also the beginning of new opportunities.

“Ngunit, ito rin ang panimula ng isang maliwanag na kinabukasan dahil mayroon na kayong kakayahan,” he said.

The graduates came from 23 TESDA-accredited institutions in Ilocos Norte. Of the total, 800 graduated from various tech-voc courses under the Training for Work Scholarship Program and Special Training for Employment Program, while 325 completed Early Childhood Care and Development Services NC III, and 25 graduated under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training  program.

Among the qualifications completed by the graduates were Dressmaking NC II, Barista NC II, Cookery NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Computer Systems Servicing NC II, Agricultural Crops Production, and other programs aligned with industry and community needs.

Further, President Marcos highlighted how TVET can open doors not only to employment but also to entrepreneurship, citing TESDA graduates who have gone on to establish their own businesses and create jobs for fellow Filipinos.

“Patunay ito na bawat isa sa inyo ay maaaring maging susunod na boss ng sarili ninyong negosyo, ng sarili ninyong mga kompanya,” the President said.

For his part, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez congratulated the graduates for completing their training and, for those who passed the competency assessment, earning their National Certificates.

For the TESDA chief, the graduation represents more than the completion of training. It is a demonstration of the graduates’ perseverance, determination, and readiness to enter the workplace.

“[Tech-voc] builds skills, it helps us reach our potential, and it breeds excellence. Tech-voc is the shortest runway to employment, promising changed lives in a short amount of time. Thus, tech-voc helps build the nation.”

“Ngayon, you are not just TESDA graduates, but you are ambassadors of education, of tech-voc education, of lifelong learning,” the TESDA chief added, addressing the graduates.

Meanwhile, also present during the ceremony were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos; Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Barba; Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos; local chief executives from across the province; and, other distinguished guests.

PBBM: Mga TESDA graduate, handang bumuo ng mas magandang kinabukasan para sa sarili at pamilya

Hinimok ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang mga bagong graduate ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) sa Ilocos Norte na gamitin ang kanilang mga bagong natutuhang kasanayan at sertipikasyon upang makamit ang mas magagandang oportunidad, makapagtayo ng sariling kabuhayan, at makatulong sa paglago ng ekonomiya ng bansa.

Sa kanyang talumpati sa harap ng 1,150 graduate sa isinagawang mass graduation ceremony sa Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium noong nakaraang linggo, binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang pangako ng pamahalaan na pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapalakas sa kasanayan at kakayahan ng mga Pilipino bilang daan tungo sa mas maunlad na buhay at mas matatag na mga komunidad.

“Kapag namumuhunan tayo sa kakayahan ng Pilipino, namumuhunan tayo sa mas matatag na pamilya, mas masiglang ekonomiya, at mas magandang kinabukasan ng bansa,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

Kasabay nito, binati ni PBBM ang mga graduate at binigyang-diin na ang kanilang pagtatapos sa technical vocational education and training (TVET) ay hindi lamang pagtatapos ng kanilang pagsisikap kundi simula rin ng mga bagong oportunidad.

“Ngunit, ito rin ang panimula ng isang maliwanag na kinabukasan dahil mayroon na kayong kakayahan,” aniya.

Nagmula ang mga graduate sa 23 TESDA-accredited institutions sa Ilocos Norte. Sa kabuuan, 800 ang nagtapos sa iba’t ibang tech-voc course sa ilalim ng Training for Work Scholarship Program at Special Training for Employment Program; 325 naman ang nakatapos ng Early Childhood Care and Development Services NC III; habang 25 ang nagtapos sa ilalim ng Enterprise-Based Education and Training Program.

 

Kabilang sa mga kwalipikasyong natapos ng mga graduate ang Dressmaking NC II, Barista NC II, Cookery NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Computer Systems Servicing NC II, Agricultural Crops Production, at iba pang programang nakaayon sa pangangailangan ng industriya at mga komunidad.

Binigyang-diin din ni Pangulong Marcos na ang TVET ay hindi lamang nagbubukas ng mga oportunidad para sa trabaho kundi maging para sa pagnenegosyo. Binanggit niya ang mga TESDA graduate na nakapagtayo ng sarili nilang negosyo at nakalikha ng mga trabaho para sa kapwa Pilipino.

“Patunay ito na bawat isa sa inyo ay maaaring maging susunod na boss ng sarili ninyong negosyo, ng sarili ninyong mga kompanya,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

Samantala, binati ni TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez ang mga graduate sa matagumpay nilang pagtatapos ng training at, para sa mga nakapasa sa competency assessment, sa pagkamit ng kanilang National Certificates.

Para sa kalihim ng TESDA, higit pa sa pagtatapos ng training ang ibig sabihin ng graduation. Patunay din ito ng tiyaga, determinasyon, at kahandaan ng mga graduate na harapin ang mundo ng trabaho.

“[Tech-voc] builds skills, it helps us reach our potential, and it breeds excellence. Tech-voc is the shortest runway to employment, promising changed lives in a short amount of time. Thus, tech-voc helps build the nation, ”ayon kay Sec Kiko Benitez.

“Ngayon, you are not just TESDA graduates, but you are ambassadors of education, of tech-voc education, of lifelong learning,” dagdag pa niya.

Dumalo rin sa seremonya sina DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos; Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Barba; Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos; mga pinuno ng lokal na pamahalaan mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng lalawigan; at iba pang mga kilalang panauhin.