SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has requested for additional funding of three Technical Education and Skills Development Authority programs which, he said, would improve the country’s education system.

Gatchalian expressed gratitude to Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, sponsor of the proposed budget, for accepting his requests for additional funding.

During Senate’s deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget of the agency, Gatchalian enumerated his three recommendations that were accepted and included in the committee report presented by Legarda.

Gatchalian recommended allocation for the senior high school assessment and certification support program, as well as funding for the expansion of the number of accredited assessors for the national certificate qualifications.

At the same time, the senator requested a special provision to prioritize the development of training regulation for upscaling and child development workers.

“I thank the good sponsor for accepting that. And with these three proposals, all ‘now hanging fruits,’ we will see an improvement in our education system, particularly in our senior high school, in the delivery of our senior high school system and in the chances of being employed by our senior high school graduates,” Gatchalian said.