SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to transfer the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department of Labor and Employment.

“It’s a brilliant move. I am in full support of the President’s decision to let DOLE supervise TESDA,” Pimentel said.

The senator said that it is crucial for the two agencies to work together to address joblessness.

“Unemployment remains to be one of the biggest challenges that the Marcos administration should be able to address,” Pimentel added.

He also expressed concern over the increasing number of unemployed Filipinos which is pegged at 2.99 million in July.

“There must be synchronized efforts to address unemployment with DOLE and Tesda as the lead agencies. Hence, EO No. 5 augurs well in the efforts to address joblessness in the country,” Pimentel stressed.

Under Executive Order No. 5 signed by the President, the DOLE secretary shall also serve as the chairperson of the TESDA board.

Pimentel advised Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to review TESDA’s proposed spending outlay for 2023 before the Senate tackles their budget proposal to ensure that their policies are in sync with the end view of providing more job opportunities to the Filipino people.