SENATOR Loren Legarda has called for stronger government support for technical-vocational education and training, saying it provides a vital pathway to decent employment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.

In a statement marking National Tech-Voc Day and the 32nd founding anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Legarda stressed that technical-vocational education should be recognized as a primary pathway to livelihood rather than a secondary option.

“Tech-voc is not a second choice. It is one of the main pathways to jobs, livelihood, business, and community development,” Legarda said.

The senator said her advocacy has long been reflected in her legislative work, particularly as principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 9509, or the Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act of 2008.

The law established livelihood and skills training centers in fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-class municipalities to bring training opportunities closer to underserved rural communities.

Legarda said the measure ensures that skills training programs are coordinated at the municipal and barangay levels and aligned with local development plans and workforce needs.

She also cited her continued support for TESDA scholarship and training programs, noting that since 2016, more than 100,000 TESDA grantees nationwide have benefited from initiatives such as the Barangay Kabuhayan Skills Training Program, Training for Work Scholarship Program, and Special Training for Employment Program.

In 2021, Legarda received the National TESDA Kabalikat Award under the Legislative Category for her contributions to improving the employability of Filipino skilled workers and promoting entrepreneurship.

The senator likewise emphasized the need to modernize TESDA to meet the changing demands of education, industry, and the labor market.

She filed Senate Bill No. 1413, or the proposed TESDA Modernization Act, which seeks to strengthen the agency’s role in lifelong learning, advanced skills development, and building a quality-assured Filipino workforce.

Legarda said technical-vocational education should form part of a broader workforce development system that enables Filipinos to continuously upskill and reskill throughout their careers.

She added that making tech-voc education more accessible, responsive, and high-quality would create more livelihood opportunities for families while helping local economies become more competitive and future-ready.