DAVAO CITY – More than 800 indigenous peoples (IPs), former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, and drivers make up this year’s “Tsuper Iskolar” jointly launched by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Davao City on Friday.
“Tsuper Iskolar” is a training program partnership of the DOTr and TESDA for the Stakeholders Support Mechanism of the PUV Modernization program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña said TESDA will presently train 120 IPs, 280 former NPA rebels, and 470 drivers.
“We do not want to put a cap on the number of beneficiaries,” Lapeña said during a press conference on the sidelines of the “Tsuper Iskolar” program at the RTC-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center.
DOTr has allocated some P350 million which was downloaded to TESDA for the implementation of the program for a period of one year. It will continue, though, until there are people who are willing to undergo the training.
DOTr Secretary Arturo Tugade, meanwhile, said they are not limiting the number of program beneficiaries but the only constraint is the budget.
“We are open to all – open to all who are willing and we are open to all who are willing to partner with us,” Tugade said.
The program, he said, includes skills development on mechanics, disciplined driving, speed limiter installation, fleet management, among others, that would prepare them for the PUV modernization.
The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a flagship initiative of the Duterte administration which envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector. It also envisions drivers and operators to have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.
Among the major components of the PUVMP is fleet modernization. New vehicle standards are being developed based on extensive consultations with involved government agencies, jeepney associations and local and international manufacturers.
According to Tugade, this will also benefit drivers and operators who will join the High Priority Bus System (HBVS) project of the Davao City government.
Tugade said there is a request from the city to broaden and improve the modernization to the high capacity bus system.
“Kapit bisig ho kami dito (We join hands in this project),” Tugade said.
The inclusion of rebel returnees in the program, he said, is part of the peace-building advocacy of President Duterte stated under Executive Order No. 70, Task Force Balik-Loob, and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The former rebels were identified by the Army's 3rd, 6th, and 89th Infantry Battalions. Under the program, the former rebels will be given employment opportunities through the provision of free skills training and national certificates.
Lapeña said the scholarship ensures that each beneficiary will get training support fund to cover food and transportation allowance equivalent to P350 per training day for a maximum of 35 days. PNA
