By William Agda
Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Northern Mindanao are being prioritized for technical and vocational training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as part of efforts to enhance their skills and support the government’s PUV Modernization Program.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Tuesday, Miraflor Emata, administrator of the Cagayan de Oro School of Arts and Trades, announced that TESDA has partnered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to implement a skills enhancement initiative. Emata explained that the LTFRB identified drivers through operators and referred them to TESDA for training and national assessment under the Driving National Certification (NC) II program. The training is initially being conducted in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.
In addition to training for drivers, Emata said that livelihood and skills programs are being offered to their family members to support their economic well-being and improve their overall quality of life. This initiative is aimed at providing sustainable opportunities for families reliant on the transport sector.
TESDA 10 (Northern Mindanao) Assistant Director Marigold Cherie Galido also emphasized that the agency offers various technical-vocational courses across its accredited schools in the region. She highlighted that these programs are designed to benefit individuals, particularly those without access to formal education, providing them with skills to secure better livelihoods.
The training program seeks to equip drivers with the necessary skills to meet the standards of the PUV Modernization Program while promoting economic stability for their families. This collaborative effort reflects the government’s commitment to improving the lives of those in the transport sector while ensuring compliance with modernization goals.