BEFORE the year ends, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) is targeting 10,000 scholars to become beneficiaries of scholarship programs through the PCUP Scholarship Caravan in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by PCUP Chairman and CEO, Undersecretary Alvin S. Feliciano and TESDA Director General, Sec. Isidro S. Lapeña, PhD., CSEE on December 10, 2020, PCUP will endorse future scholars to TESDA from the urban poor communities around the country to avail of skills training and services which would be useful for them especially amid the pandemic.

“The PCUP wants to give greater opportunities to the urban poor sector with free education that can provide them with new knowledge and skills so that they can earn a living especially in the midst of the pandemic faced by the country,” said Feliciano.

“I am also grateful to TESDA for the collaboration we made to bring hope to our countrymen who want to study but do not have the ability. Today, I am confident that this initiative will continue to serve as a way to change the lives of many especially those who need it the most”, he added.

The scholars will receive allowance, cellphone load and PPEs. Among the courses to be offered are Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Food Processing II, Food and Beverage Services NC II, Computer Systems Servicing NC II, Contact Tracing Level II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding II, Driving II and Heavy Equipment Operation NC II.

Apart from TESDA, PCUP continues to engage with other government agencies to further develop collaborations that will promote other programs and services for the benefit of the poor Filipinos.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi