NAIS ni Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman na imbestigahan ng Kamara ang bidding process ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority para sa toolkits na ipinamamahagi sa mga vocational graduate.

Sa deliberasyon para sa 2021 budget ng TESDA, kinuwestiyon nina Roman at Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. si TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña hinggil sa kabiguan ng ahensiya na ipamahagi ang starter toolkits sa vocational graduates sa ilalim ng Special Training for Employment Program.

“TESDA has been involved in training programs, training projects. For the last two years, we have been confronted with this problem of lack of tool kits. Mr. Secretary, has the TESDA resolved this issue, because most of the time our constituents are blaming us for not providing them with the necessary tool kits. I understand that TESDA has some problems with contractors, has this been resolved, Mr. Secretary,” sabi ni Bordado.

Ipinaliwanag ni Lapeña na nasa P1.03 bilyong halaga pa ng toolkits ang kanilang isasailalim sa bidding.

“It is scheduled on October 30, your Honor…out of 71 slots, 36 slots have been awarded and it is ready for delivery,” paliwanag ni Lapeña.

“Huwag tayong magpapaasa, kung hindi naman tayo makakapag-deliver. Ano nga po ang nangyari sa toolkits na ipinangako n’yo?” sagot naman ni Roman

“Ano pa ba ang hinihintay, muling mapapako o hindi?  Para naman malaman natin kung ano ang nagiging problema ninyo diyan sa award and bidding process. Dapat magpatawag tayo ng investigation in aid of legislation to review your bidding and awards process,” idinagdag pa ni Roman.

Sinagot naman ito ni Lapeña at iginiit na ang toolkits ay “under procurement” ng Philippine International Trading Corporation at muling binigyang-diin na ang 36 slots ay nai-award na habang ang iba ay inaasahang ide-deliver sa susunod na buwan.

“At this point, I know that our Director Lapeña is working in good faith, if we are to add additional funds to TESDA, your promise will not suffice. We need a specific date. I am not only speaking for myself, but for so many congressmen and congresswomen who have been waiting for your toolkits. 2019 pa po yan, September 2020 na po ngayon.I want a firm commitment,” pahayag ni Roman makaraang aprubahan ng House Committee on Appropriations ang paggiit sa Department of Budget and Management na ibalik ang 2018 at 2019 funds para sa STEP.

Sa ilalim ng proposed 2021 national budget, P13.5 bilyon ang pondong ilalaan para sa TESDA.