TESDA, DOTr launch ‘Tsuper Iskolar’ program in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY -- An initial batch of 300 drivers and operators in Iloilo are expected to benefit from the “Tsuper Iskolar” program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that was launched in a mall in Pavia, Iloilo on Friday. 

"Tsuper Iskolar" is being offered to transport cooperatives to provide their stakeholders with additional training through scholarships and livelihood training, especially those affected by the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. Their beneficiaries and families can also avail of free skills and entrepreneurship training and skills assessment.

“We are modernizing not only the vehicles but also the skill level of our drivers for them to become more efficient in running their public utility vehicles. We are providing them skills, we are providing them additional livelihood training so that those who will operate our vehicles will become more financially viable,” said DOTr Undersecretary Mark Richmund de Leon in a press conference following the launch.

The DOTr has provided TESDA with PHP350 million for the first batch of scholarship recipients. Of the budget, PHP138 million has been programmed for 9,351 scholars.

Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, director-general of TESDA, said 5,685 have already registered nationwide, including the 300 target recipients in Iloilo. The program has been launched in 11 regions across the country.

In Western Visayas, TESDA intends to launch the program in Bacolod City, which also has a big number of drivers, he added.

While the program is intended for drivers, who are members of a transport cooperative, it will also be open to non-members who are interested to become drivers, such as former rebels and indigenous peoples (IPs).

Lapeña emphasized that the program is not due to alleged “displacement” of drivers as a result of the modernization but of “improving the skills of drivers to give them additional opportunities to improve their income.”

De Leon also said there is no displacement in the modernization but will create “more employment opportunities” due to the creation of cooperatives or corporations. 

The existing system, where there are individual franchisees, operators and drivers, lacks the economies of scale to modernize.

“Again the program is very comprehensive, very holistic, and inclusive. We are not expecting a lot of displacement in this modernization,” de Leon said.

Meanwhile, recipients of the "Tsuper Iskolar" are identified in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which has information of members of the transport association.

Non-association members interested to train will still be channeled through the LTFRB.

Meanwhile, during the 35-day training, scholars will receive PHP350 a day. The daily allowance is almost equivalent to the daily minimum wage in Western Visayas, which is PHP365 for non-agricultural/industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10.

Training for other skills ranges from 15 days to two years, Lapeña said.

Edgardo Peñaserada, a member of the Iloilo City Alliance of Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative, which has more than 80 operators as members, lauded the program. He said he will also encourage other drivers of the cooperative to avail of the program.

The transport cooperative has seven modernized PUVs and they are waiting for the arrival of 21 more units. (PNA)

 

 


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