Zubiri: Tesda centers in Bukidnon underutilized, used as goat pens

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Tuesday said that some of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) training centers he helped build in Bukidnon are being used as “tambakan ng kambing” (places to keep goats or goat pens) or multi-purpose buildings instead of its intended purpose.

Zubiri raised the concern during the Senate committee on finance’s hearing on the 2027 proposed budget of Tesda.

“The word is that many of these Tesda training centers are being used by [local government units or] LGUs simply as places to keep goats or goat pens, or they’ve become multipurpose buildings, storage areas, or warehouses. I said, that’s such a waste. Why is that happening?” Zubiri said in the hearing.

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“These would have to help our fellow Filipinos through Tesda training, but yet, it is not being utilized as much. There is a laboratory area and a classroom setting, so you can conduct all your Tesda training there,” he added.

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READ: Marcos: P19-B Tesda fund to expand skills training

He then asked Tesda if there is a master plan for Bukidnon to avoid the buildings to become “white elephants,” or project that cost a lot to do but had little usefulness.

Tesda Director Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez expressed gratitude for Zubiri, noting that Bukidnon is the only province where every municipality actually has a training center from Tesda.

“We are launching a train ‘lokal’ process to ensure that workforce development planning is done on a local level which will also include planning for its budgetary requirements,” Benitez said.

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The director said the agency’s budget is “insufficient” with the demands on Tesda scholarships as they are able to only cater 35 to 40 percent yearly of those wanting to avail of the program.

Second, he also said that as part of their optimization plan, they will ensure that they will have personnel and digital system at the provincial level.

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Specific to Bukidnon, he said the agency is trying to “beef up” its creative industries initiatives and community-based initiatives so they can make use of the available facilities.

No more goats in the facilities

Moreover, Deputy Director General for Tesda Vidal Villanueva III said they have visited all municipalities and coordinated with the mayors in Bukidnon.

“There are no more goats in the facilities. In fact, we already prepared all the facilities, preparing for the registration programs that they chose,” Villanueva told Zubiri.

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With Zubiri pressing for more concrete updates and action plans, Villanueva said that the LGUs have already procured some equipment but may seek financial assistance for additional equipment needed for higher-level qualifications. /das