THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a measure that will convert the Balicuatro College and Arts and Trades into the Northern Samar Polytechnic Institute.

House Bill 6854 or the proposed Northern Samar Polytechnic Institute Act was authored by Representatives Paul Ruiz Daza, Mark Go and Eric Yap.

Under the bill, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will have supervision over the institute located in the municipality of Allen.

“In line with the adoption of the Philippine Qualifications Framework and the Senior High School Program of the Department of Education, the Institute shall endeavor to restructure its technical-vocational education and training curricular programs to make them responsive to the rapidly changing demands of the industry and the labor market,” the lawmakers said.

The institute will offer higher level competency qualifications in TVET programs and shall continue to upgrade its curricular standards.

It will serve as an assessment center of TESDA for acquired competencies in technical-vocational skills in the entire province of Northern Samar.

The Institute will give priority to the most disadvantaged citizens in the municipality of Allen in the grant of scholarships.