SOME 125 scholars of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) Cordillera are currently undergoing free skills training offered by the government.

Engineer Hector Laguardia of Tesda Cordillera said the program includes free food and transportation allowance for the scholars.

“There are those that have registered and at present, we now have an ongoing program at our training centers. Seventy–five scholars are now undergoing training with another 50 to be opened soon,” Laguardia said.

Tesda allocated P6.9 billion this 2018 as funding for the scholarship program with an assurance from the President to provide additional funding assistance if needed.

“All public Tesda training institutions have started the free technical-vocational skills training with the corresponding allowances. This aside from free tool kits to be given to those who would finish with the training,” Laguardia said.

The Tesda National Integration Scholarship program also aims to bring in or integrate the Ips (Indigenous People) into the socio–political and economic development of the country aside from the free skills training.

R.A. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act provides for free tuition, allowances and other school fees in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and state-run technical-vocational institutions.