THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority assured outbound overseas Filipino workers that there are assessment centers available in each region that they can go to even during the pandemic.

It said that OFWs can go to these centers to undergo assessment which is a requirement to acquire or renew their National Certificates.

TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña earlier ordered regional directors to ensure that OFWs will not have to travel far to undergo skills assessment.

“We are still facing this pandemic and we do not want to make it harder for our outbound OFWs to complete their requirements. While we still do not have an assessment center for OFWs in every province of the country, we will try to make it available in every region,” he said.

As of November 2, 2021, TESDA listed 521 ACs nationwide.

There are 100 ACs for Caregiving NC II; 117 ACs for Domestic Work NC II; 264 for Housekeeping NC II; 14 for Ship’s Catering (Ship’s Cooks) NC III; and 26 ACs for Ship’s Catering Services NC I.

In Metro Manila, there are 139 ACs where outbound OFWs can go for skills assessment.

Central Visayas has 39 ACs for OFW-related training courses. In Cebu, 16 ACs are ready to accommodate those who need assessment for Housekeeping NC II.

Meanwhile, 34 out of 46 ACs in Davao Region are also for housekeeping and skilled workers.