MANILA – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has announced its readiness to adopt the reforms suggested by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) in its recent report. TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez expressed enthusiasm for the roadmap laid out by EDCOM 2, which aims to fortify the technical-vocational education and training (TVET) sector in the Philippines.
Benitez, who previously served as a commissioner on EDCOM 2, emphasized the significance of aligning TVET programs with the demands of the industry. He highlighted TESDA’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with various sectors to ensure that the technical education system remains robust, inclusive, and adaptable. This initiative is supported by the recently enacted Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last November.
“We are grateful to EDCOM 2 for shedding light on the challenges within TVET,” Benitez stated. He noted that TESDA is actively working with EDCOM 2 and other stakeholders from both public and private sectors to ensure that their training programs produce graduates who are ready to meet the current needs of the labor market.
Benitez also stressed TESDA’s commitment to improving program delivery and resource allocation. The goal is not only to equip the workforce with essential skills but also to foster a culture of lifelong learning among Filipinos.
EDCOM 2, established under Republic Act 11899, is tasked with conducting a comprehensive national assessment of the Philippine education sector from 2023 to 2025. Its Year 2 report, titled “Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival,” identifies urgent priorities in Philippine education.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, another former EDCOM 2 commissioner, has also pledged to work closely with the commission to address deficiencies in the country’s education system.