TESDA warns vs. fake certificates sold online

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday warned the public against fake National Certificates (NC) spreading online.

According to a report by Tina Panganiban Perez on "24 Oras," a man was arrested in Cotabato City for selling fake TESDA certificates for P3,500.

TESDA said that the number of people selling fake certificates is increasing since this is a requirement of employers, especially abroad.

Some websites and social media pages were said to have been shut down after they were reported to the National Telecommunications Commission, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

"Public documents' yan. It is owned by the government, the certificates, so that's falsification of public documents na merong karampatang penalty yan at kulong," said TESDA deputy director general John Bertiz.

“Halimbawa, nag-apply ka ng crane operator, peke pala yung NC mo. Paano kung rumagasa sa mga public areas yang minamaneho mo na bus, or cranes, or heavy equipment? Or nagwe-welding ka pero hindi mo alam yung boltahe just because bumili ka ng peke para makapagtrabaho ka lang, nasunog mo yung factory mo?” he added.

Bertiz added that all the TESDA learners are issued NCs, and many have found jobs.—LDF, GMA Integrated News