Reprinted from The Manila Times.

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THIS has reference to the article written by Ms. Malou Mangahas, and Misters Fernando Cabigao and Vino Lucero entitled, “Tesda’s Billions: Rules don’t apply in PDAF-funded seminars” published in your paper on August 28.

We are writing to explain the issue raised in the article which said that, “Another P1.31 billion came just as the year was ending in December 2012, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the implementation of TESDA-DSWD Cash-for­ Training Project (C4TP), though this was not used in 2012.”

We appreciate your concern on the implementation of the DSWD-TESDA partnership project.

While the information is true, we would like to clarify that the project was launched in the latter part of 2012 and the core implementation ran from 2013-2014.

C4TP is a partnership Program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It is a training program which teaches participants employable skills and sustainable employment opportunities.

The program was implemented in January 2013, wherein 65,730 beneficiaries were targeted and entitled to P20,000 each to cover the training cost including transportation assistance, tool kits and tuition fees.

A total of 62,069 graduated out of the 64,299 students who were enrolled in the program. From the 64,155 assessments done on graduates, 54,729 were given TESDA certifications, and out of this, 43,661 were employed in different local companies and agencies. Please note that 64,155 assessments were done even if only 62,069 graduated because some graduates were assessed twice through “bundled courses,” e.g., Automotive Servicing NC I and Driving NC II.

Arnel Baldos, a person with disability from San Miguel, Leyte, was one of the recipients of the program. Arnel thanked the DSWD and TESDA for the joint program where he completed a two- month Consumer Electronic Servicing course.

There are several success stories of beneficiaries in various regions where the program was implemented and where our out-of-school youths benefited. Therefore, the fund was used for its intended purpose.

The Department believes that the program was implemented according to the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability. The beneficiaries themselves can attest that the program helped and provided them a better chance of earning livelihood.

Assistant Secretary Javier R. Jimenez
DSWD Spokesperson
Department of Social Welfare and
Development
Republic of the Philippines
(This letter is dated Sept. 8, 2015)