TRANSPORTATION Secretary Art Tugade urged drivers and operators of public utility vehicles in Cavite to enroll in the slots to be opened for the Tsuper Iskolar Program.

An initiative between the Department of Transportation and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in cooperation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Office of the Transportation Cooperatives, the Tsuper Iskolar program is in line with the Stakeholders’ Support Mechanism Component of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

It aims to provide participating PUV drivers, conductors, and family members with free skills training, skills assessment, and entrepreneurship training.

Participants in the program are given a daily stipend of P350 for the duration of their training under TESDA.

During his visit in the province on Friday, Tugade narrated his own experience to inspire PUV drivers and operators, while stressing how added knowledge and continuing learning can help improve lives.

“Kaisa ninyo ako. Nanggaling ako sa wala. Ngayon meron. Kung kinaya ko naman ‘yun, kakayanin n’yo rin. Nandito kami upang makipagdayalogo, upang maipaliwanag ang Tsuper Iskolar Program. Maniwala ka kaibigan, ‘yan ay magbubukas sa’yo ng pinto pandagdag pangkabuhayan ninyo,” Tugade said in his dialogue with transport groups and government officials.

The slots for the Tsuper Iskolar Program will be replenished to accommodate more PUV drivers, conductors, and their beneficiaries.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said the P100 million needed budget to open 4,000 more slots for the program was allotted under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, which is expected to be released to the Department on the third quarter of this year.