The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is modernizing its scholarship fund distribution to thousands of student beneficiaries in Leyte province through a partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines.

The initiative shifts the disbursement of scholars’ Training Support Fund under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) from manual checks to automated teller machines and e-wallet system, TESDA-Leyte Director Enrico Banario said.

“This is an innovation in scholarship management as we move away from manual transactions through our collaboration with Land Bank Tacloban,” Banario said during the signing of the partnership here on Monday.

He highlighted key benefits of the deal: Removing “middleman” risks by direct fund transfers to scholars, reducing paperwork to improve TESDA’s training focus, and supporting the ease of doing business goal via modern financial technology.

LBP East Visayas branches group head Brendalyn Villavicencio said the partnership with the Leyte provincial official expands financial access and drives economic empowerment.

“We are not just opening accounts, but we are opening doors for opportunities,” Villavicencio said.

For the pilot implementation, the program will benefit 5,324 scholars out of the more than 24,000 recipients in Leyte under UAQTEA.

UAQTEA provides free tuition and training for students enrolled in TESDA-registered programs at technical-vocational institutions. It aims to support marginalized Filipinos through free training, assessment, allowances and tools.

Each student receives PHP14,500 per semester for the first three years of college to cover training support and school uniforms. (PNA)