By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, June 23 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Tuesday his administration will continue to provide more opportunities to Filipinos who patiently aspire for a better life through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
”We can give you opportunities. It’s up to you to grab them so that we will all prosper and reduce our problems,” President Aquino told the beneficiaries of TESDA’s Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) mass graduation rites at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The President urged the STEP graduates to keep on dreaming and work hard to achieve their goals now that they have earned technical skills for free from the government.
”I remember what my father had told me: I can open door for you; if it will remain open, it’s up to you. Here, we’re not guaranteeing your life will improve. Of course, we’re partners, we can open door for you, it’s up to you to keep it open,” the President told TESDA’s more than 2,000 graduates who received tool kits.
In his speech, President Aquino commended TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva for all his accomplishments in the agency.
The President applauded the TESDA graduates for their perseverance to pursue their dreams despite their old age.
”Kahanga-hanga kayong lahat dahil pinatunayan ninyo: Ang Pilipino, anuman ang kanyang edad, bata tulad ko o may edad tulad ni Joel, saan man ang kanyang pinanggalingan, kapag binigyan mo ng pagkakataon, talagang susulitin niya, hindi lang upang iangat ang sarili, kundi para makatulong din sa pamilya, at sa kalakhang lipunan. Congratulations po sa inyong lahat,” he said.
President Aquino also took time to mention some successful stories of the TESDA scholars who were able to have their own businesses and found high-paying jobs.
He said Jennifer Noble, a former vendor in the Batangas City international port, finished Beauty Care and Wellness Massage course from TESDA and is now earning more than PhP2,000 a day.
”Bahagi lamang po ang programang ito ng TESDA sa malawakan nating estratehiya para bigyang-kakayahan ang mga kababayan nating maging katuwang sa pag-unlad,” the President said.
He also cited TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) which already produced 808,781 graduates since July 2010.
The President also said the employment rate of TESDA graduates has increased from 28.5 percent to almost 70 percent.
He noted that since his assumption to office, TESDA has produced 7.8 million graduates. (PNA)