THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority will continue its programs and projects to help Filipinos rise from the pandemic, its chief Isidro Lapeña said.

When the coronavirus disease started to spread early this year, Lapeña immediately ordered all regional and provincial offices of TESDA to assist frontline workers in hospitals, local government units, and checkpoints.

The agency has produced and distributed more than 443,000 face masks, 40,000 face shields, 10,000 protective body suits, 1,200 pairs of goggles, and 17,800 liters of sanitizers and disinfectants to uniformed personnel and healthcare workers.

Despite the disruptions brought by the pandemic, the agency was able to implement its scholarship programs, resulting in the enrollment of 568,694 individuals. Meanwhile, 557,850 graduated, 440,122 were assessed, and 413,312 were certified graduates.

Meanwhile, 661,375 learners completed their online courses through the TESDA Online Program.

The TOP helped 97, 883 OFWs to get back on their feet by learning new skills online.

This year, TESDA established 59 Provincial Training Centers with the help of local government units. It also set up two Regional Training Centers in Region XII and the National Capital Region.

Lapeña said that the agency aims to establish a training center in every province.

“I’m glad that the local government units are very supportive to TESDA as most of the lands where these provincial training centers are constructed are either donated or under usufruct agreement,” he said.

Lapeña added that TESDA will implement more development programs in isolated areas. The agency will establish additional Innovation Centers in key areas, such as NCR and Davao City.

This year, TESDA developed a mission critical information system that will automate the processing of scholarship programs.

“We are planning to roll out this system during the first quarter of 2021 to make the implementation of our scholarship programs more efficient,” Lapeña said.

The TESDA chief has been planning to use artificial intelligence in monitoring attendance of its scholars and to strengthen its partnerships with industries to review training regulations and enhance enterprise-based training.

“All of these are already included in our program pipeline for the year 2021 and we are planning to do more in order to empower our kababayans who are in the far-flung areas. Before this year ends, we would like to thank our partners both in the government and private sectors, other PRLEC member-agencies, our TESDA Technology and Technical-Vocational Institutions, and other TESDAns. Together, we will accomplish and help more kababayans next year,” Lapeña said.