THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading a measure establishing the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Center in the municipality of Kawayan, in the province of Biliran.

Under Committee Report 852, the lawmakers approved House Bill 9508 and endorsed the measure for the Senate’s counteraction. 

Based on the measure, Kawayan, Biliran TESDA Training and Assessment Center will provide technical-vocational education and training programs to students and residents from low-income families and out-of-school youth, including persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, to help them become productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive labor assets.

The center shall provide effective employment intervention through training programs on relevant skills in trade competencies, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship activities to help hasten the development of the host area and its adjacent localities into human resource and productivity hubs.

The measure also mandates the center to offer short-term certificate courses and modular training in preferred technical-vocational skills and trades specialization.

It may also establish research and technology hubs, technology development farms, satellite or extension training centers, promote mobile training programs, and strengthen linkages among the industry partners.