The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Cordillera on Wednesday urged the public to avail of the agency’s scholarship programs, as 7,497 slots out of 10,263 are still available.

“We ask our residents to take advantage of the scholarships. Napakarami nating slots for a scholarship, mag avail sila kasi sayang ang opportunity (they take the opportunity and avail of the many slots for scholarship),” said Jimmicio Daoaten, assistant regional director of TESDA-Cordillera and the Benguet provincial director of the government’s technical-vocational skills provider, on the sidelines of the inauguration and oath-taking of Benguet officials.

The TESDA-CAR has a 2022 scholarship budget of PHP164,544,125, only 27 percent of which have been utilized.

Daoaten said TESDA offers scholarships for different short-term trade skills and a diploma program pathway to a Baccalaureate degree.

Scholars can avail the training for work program (TWSP), special training employment program (STEP), private education student fund assistance (PESFA), rice extension services program (RESP), “Tsuper Iskolar,” Tulong trabaho scholarship program (TTSP)

The official added that aside from free education that covers the laboratory supplies, a scholar also gets insurance coverage for at least one year, a daily stipend of P160, an internet allowance, book allowance, and a tool kit that can be used to start up a livelihood activity.

Due to the pandemic, an allowance for personal protective equipment is also provided to a scholar.

He added that the grantee also gets a free competency assessment fee for the national certification that is recognized internationally. (PNA)