The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has recently conferred its 2019 National Kabalikat Award to Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda. The honor is the agency’s highest institutional recognition for one’s continuous, significant contributions to its technical education and skills development program.
The annual Kabalikat Awards, which coincided with TESDA’s 25th Anniversary in August, is given to the institution’s most active and outstanding partners who have meaningfully contributed in developing, enhancing and implementing its multi-faceted skills training programs that have resulted in better employability of Filipino skilled workers.
Salceda also bagged the regional honors for Region V. He was recognized for his sustained and active contribution to TESDA dating back to his earlier three terms as congressman of Albay’s third district, then as Albay governor for nine years, and now as representative of his province’s second district.
His most recent contribution to TESDA was brought by the enactment of the Free Tuition or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he also authored, that secured the release of P7 billion in 2018 and another P7 billion in the 2019 budgets for its technical-vocational programs. He said another P7 billion or possibly more is anticipated in 2020 which would translate to a three-year additional budget of P21 billion for the agency.
In 2018, Salceda initiated the inclusion of TESDA in UAQTEA that helped assure continuous funding for the agency’s training institutes, providing a platform to expand its short-term courses like Training for Work Scholarship Program and Special Training for Employment Program to two years as associate degree courses.
Earlier in 2008, thru Salceda’s advocacy, then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo allocated P8 billion as economic stimulus fund for TESDA’s training program, P800 million of which was for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
Reflecting his unparalleled commitment to technical-vocational (techvoc) education, with TESDA as apex institution, Salceda had allocated P10 million yearly for its program out of his P30 million congressional budget. He was also largely responsible for the rapid development of the Daraga Human Resources Development Center, in Daraga, Albay, now one of the country’s most progressive Local Government Unit-run techvoc institutes.
As Albay governor, Salceda included TESDA in the tertiary financing programs of his province, helping at least 55,000 students to gain access to TESDA courses, either short-term or associate, in both TESDA training institutes and private techvoc providers. In 2012, the Albay Provincial Government also provided P25 million for the construction of two two-storey buildings in Daraga town. With provincial support, the Daraga Human Resources Development Center (DHRDC) acquired equipment needed. TESDA recognized it as the most modern culinary arts facility in Bicol.
Manifesting his passion for techvoc as a principal way out of poverty, the DHRDC has become the most frequently visited educational institution by Salceda and his frequent presence there inspired students to see the parity in dignity of techvoc and college education.
To further encourage the Daraga LGU Daraga and its DHRDC administration, he recruited its multi-awarded former administrator to his district office to more effectively supervise techvoc projects. He even convinced him to run as Municipal Councilor and was popularly elected which reflected the people’s acknowledgment of the contribution of TESDA to the quality of life in their community.
In his various responsibilities and capacity, Salceda has consistently shared ideas, enlightened views and management expertise to TESDA’s top management across all administrations, from its former Director Generals Edicio de la Torre, Boboy Syjuco, Joel Villanueva. Guiling Mamondiong, and now incumber DG Isidro Lapena.
Salceda used to hold brainstorming sessions with them, mostly at the TESDA central office which reflect Salceda’s respect for the institution and how he values it. Many times, he supported and helped push the approval of TESDA budget in Congress especially during his term as Appropriations Chair from 2005-2007.