SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized the importance of continuing free assessments for national certifications under the 2025 national budget to boost the employability of senior high school learners in the Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) track.

Gatchalian’s proposal mandates free assessments for SHS-TVL students to improve their certification rates and increase their chances of securing jobs.

“Upang mabigyan natin ang mga senior high school learners sa ilalim ng TVL track ng mas mataas na tsansang makakuha ng magandang trabaho, patuloy nating pagsisikapang mabigyan sila ng libreng assessment para sa kanilang national certification,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

For 2024, P438.162 million was allocated to fund the free assessment and certification program. However, the program remains underutilized due to its voluntary nature.

Out of 1,039 SHS-TVL learners who participated last year, only 926 were certified. Originally targeting 420,967 graduates for Academic Year 2023-2024, the program reduced its goal to 197,077.

For 2025, P275.86 million is allotted for the continuation of free assessments, supplemented by unutilized funds from 2024. The allocation will be included in the Department of Education’s budget.