Batangas City, 26 September --- With the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Secretary Arthur P. Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) covering the implementation of the Stakeholder Support Mechanism Component on 11 December 2018.  Specifically, this component provides for the training and social assistance for those stakeholders that may be affected under the PUVMP.

Under this agreement, a budgetary appropriation of P 350-million from the DOTr shall be utilized by TESDA for the skills training and skills assessment including the development of training regulations and curricula for the transportation sector.  50% of the total budgetary appropriation amounting to Php175-million was provided to TESDA last 19 December 2018.

On 28 February 2019, TESDA issued Circular Number 19, Series of 2019 which sets guidelines for the implementation of the scholarship program labeled as “Tsuper Iskolar” based on the provisions indicated in the MOA.

The target beneficiaries for the program include, but are not limited to, the following: a) displaced persons affected by the PUVMP; b) stakeholders who opt to voluntarily exit from the transport industry; c) stakeholders who opt to continue in the transport industry; d) new stakeholders in the transport industry; and d) family members/dependents of the affected stakeholders up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Each scholar under this program is entitled to free skills training and free skills assessment. They are also provided with free entrepreneurship training [for Cluster of Competencies (CoC) qualifications].

The scholar is also entitled to the training support fund to cover food and transportation allowance equivalent to Php350 per training day attended for a maximum of 35 days.

“Tsuper Iskolar” Program intended for the affected jeepney drivers and other stakeholders will be launched in CALABARZON Region on 4 October 2019 at STI College Lipa, C.M. Recto Ave., Brgy. 6, Lipa City, Batangas.  This shall be the 13^th provincial launch of the program following its first official launch at Lingayen, Pangasinan on 4 April 2019.

At least 1,000 PUV family members and dependents of the affected stakeholders of the PUVMP from various transport groups within the Province of Batangas shall be witnessing said program launch.  Of them, about 533 were initially identified recipients of this scholarship program who will avail 17 pre-listed qualifications under 10 different sectors such as Tourism, General Infrastructure, Language and Culture, Health Social and Other Community Development Services among others.

Said occasion will be participated by the heads of partner agencies from DOTr, LTFRB, and LTO.  Senator Ralph Recto is also expected to grace the event.  Other guests include local officials from the Province of Batangas.