TESDA thankful as survey again rates it most trusted gov't agency

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) remained the most approved and trusted government agency in the Philippines, according to the Pahayag 2023 Second Quarter Survey.

TESDA had an approval rating of 72 percent and a trust rating of 58 percent in the survey conducted by Manila-based firm PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa pagtangkilik ng ating mga kababayan sa lahat po ng programa ng TESDA. Of course, ganoon na rin po sa Pahayag at sa PUBLiCUS, we were able to get that consecutive rate ng approval and trust rating,” said TESDA Deputy Director General, Aniceto "John" Bertiz III at the public briefing on Friday.

(We are grateful for the patronage of our countrymen in all the programs of TESDA, of course, as well as to Pahayag and PUBLiCUS, we got that consecutive rate of approval and trust rating.)

He said the agency has been developing high-skills training towards "skills of the future," such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, and other major sectors.

“We are prioritizing to meet the demand of the industry to our enterprise based program. Sa ngayon po ang ginagawa po ng TESDA nakikipagugnayan po tayong deretka lalo na sa mga industriya nang malaman po natin kung ano ba yung demand talaga, which this will also address the long term problem ng job skills mismatch sa ating bansa,” he added.

(We prioritize meeting the industry's demand for our enterprise-based program. Right now, TESDA is communicating directly with industries to find out what is in demand, which will also address the long-term problem of job skills mismatch in our country.)

Meanwhile, Bertiz warned the public against fake National Certificates (NC) spreading online.

“May may mga advisories na tayo not only statements sa mga social medias po natin kasi nga meron pong mga kumokopya o gumagaya ng ating mga national certification natin at ito nga ay binibili ng mga hindi naman po nag-training sa TESDA para magamit sa pag-apply ng trabaho,” he explained.

(We have advisories, not only statements on our social media, because some people copy or imitate our national certifications, and these are bought by those who have not trained in TESDA to use it in their work application.)

He added that the national certificates contain security features that employers can verify.

They have also coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the local governments to trace and issue cease and desist orders on training centers using the TESDA logo without accreditation.

"Para po sa ating mga kababayan, your skills are your future, 'wag po tayong pumayag o tumangkilik ng mga pekeng national certificates. Libre itong nakukuha sa TESDA, may allowance pa po kayo," said Bertiz.

(To our folks, your skills are your future, don't let or tolerate those using fake national certificates. You can get this for free on TESDA, including an allowance.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News