The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has announced its readiness to adopt the recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez expressed enthusiasm for the strategic direction outlined in the EDCOM 2 report, which aims to fortify the technical-vocational education and training (TVET) sector in the Philippines.
During a budget deliberation session at the House of Representatives on August 22, 2024, Benitez highlighted the significance of the EDCOM 2 roadmap. He emphasized TESDA’s proactive engagement with industries following the enactment of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in November of the previous year.
As a former EDCOM 2 commissioner, Benitez stressed the necessity of tailoring TVET programs to meet industry demands. He acknowledged EDCOM 2’s role in identifying challenges within the TVET sector and affirmed TESDA’s commitment to collaborating with the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure that training programs yield graduates ready for the job market.
Benitez also underscored TESDA’s efforts, alongside its partner institutions, to enhance methods for Filipinos to acquire new skills and update existing ones. He reiterated TESDA’s focus on improving program delivery and resource management to not only equip the workforce with essential skills but also to promote lifelong learning.
EDCOM 2, established under Republic Act 11899, is tasked with evaluating the Philippine education sector’s performance from 2023 to 2025. Its recent Year 2 report, titled ‘Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival,’ identifies critical areas for immediate action in education.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, another former EDCOM 2 commissioner, has pledged to work closely with the Commission to address deficiencies in the education system.