DOLE retakes administration of TESDA
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is once again responsible for the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) 5 on Friday, shifting TESDA’s jurisdiction from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“The TESDA is hereby attached to the DOLE for policy and program coordination,” which takes effect immediately, the EO read.
EO 5 emphasized that it is the national government’s policy to “rationalize the functional structures of agencies with complementary mandates and promote coordination, efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy.”
Under EO 5, the DOLE Secretary is designated as chairperson of the TESDA Board, pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 7796 which created TESDA in 1994.
Section 7 states that the TESDA Board shall be chaired by the Labor Secretary, and co-chaired by the secretaries of Education and DTI.
Members of the board include Agriculture and Local Government Secretaries, as well as the Director-General of the TESDA Secretariat.
According to the EO, the position classification and remuneration structure applicable to TESDA officials and workers must conform with the Salary Standardization Law and other applicable legislation, in accordance with Section 16 of RA 7796.
“Nothing herein shall be construed to diminish or impair any lawful compensation or benefits that are currently being enjoyed by incumbent officials and employees,” EO 5 said.
The remaining provisions that are not impacted by the issue of EO 5 will remain in force and effect.
TESDA, established by RA 7796, is the key agency in charge of developing technical education and skills development strategies, plans, and programs that take into account enhanced ties between industry, labor, and government in the creation of any national-level plan.
TESDA superseded and absorbed the authority and activities of the then-National Manpower and Youth Council, as well as the apprenticeship program of the Bureau of Local Employment under DOLE, with the signing of RA 7796.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved EO 1 in 2016, shifting TESDA to the now-defunct Office of the Cabinet Secretary, and EO 67 in 2018, transferring the agency to the DTI.
TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz stated that his agency will collaborate with DOLE to deliver additional skill training, job, and livelihood opportunities.
