TESDA to give 3,000 scholarships slots to MILF, MNLF

Post date: Jun 12, 2018 11:12:52 AM

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will allot 3,000 scholarship slots to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), making these eligible to avail of free skills training programs.

TESDA Director General Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong said that the free skills training will help the members of the MILF and the MNLF improve their lives by opening up jobs and livelihood opportunities to them and by giving them the chance to participate in the development programs of the government.

“The target beneficiaries are the MNLF and MILF in ARMM communities to empower and uplift their lives along with others belonging in the marginalized sectors through employment and livelihood opportunities,” said Mamondiong.

The target beneficiaries include 1,000 MILF and MNLF members from Lanao del Sur, 1,000 from Maguindanao, and another 1,000 from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga.

TESDA is extending similar privileges to the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Mamondiong added, “This program is also being offered to our brothers and sisters who are CPP-NPA armed combatants."

The scholars will be trained in skills in various sectors such as Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Tourism, Metals and Engineering, Heating, Ventilations, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Semi-conductor, Electronics, Furnitures and Fixtures, Garment and Textile, Health, Social and other community development services.

The training programs will have durations of not more than 40 days and will be done under TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).

Aside from free training, Mamondiong said that the scholarship beneficiaries will also be given free assessment and receive a training support fund.

The TESDA chief has called on the members of the MNLF and the MILF to visit any TESDA office in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga and Basilan for enlistment of free training.