Press Release - 160 TESDA Albay graduates thank Cayetanos for sponsoring course kits

On the day of their graduation, 160 students who took up Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Albay expressed gratitude to Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano for helping them successfully complete their training.

The students, who trained at the TESDA-accredited Sunshine International School Foundation in Daraga, said the Cayetanos' provision of allowance and tool kits encouraged them to do well in their training.

Aira Uy, one of the students who took up dressmaking, said that her newly acquired skills will help boost their family textile business.

"Thank you very much po kila Senador Alan Peter at Pia Cayetano for sponsoring us. I understand po na bukod sa schooling at sa mga gamit, we are able to receive other benefits through your offices," Uy said when asked for a message for the sibling senators during their graduation day on Tuesday, January 31, 2024.

"Sana patuloy nyo pa po suportahan at tulungan ang iba't ibang school na nag-offer ng TESDA para sa tulad namin na gusto pa makapag-acquire ng additional skills para magamit sa negosyo," she added.

A student who trained for electrical installation and maintenance, Ferdinand Maraño, owns and runs a hotel in Albay. He said even at the age of 58, he still learned a lot through the TESDA program.

"It's a great honor and privilege. I am professional engineer, pero kakaiba y'ung training ng TESDA at marami pa po ako natutunan. Thank you to Senator Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano for sponsoring our scholarship. Malaking tulong po ito especially sa mga nagsisimula, at bilang gabay sa mga kabataan," Maraño said.

"Ipagpatuloy po sana ninyo ang inyong nasimulan na tulong para sa kabataan dahil malaki po ang ambag ninyo sa development and discovery of their potential. Kahit 58 years old na ako ay natuto pa ako sa electrical installation and maintenance. Nawa ay gabayan kayo ng Panginoon," he added.

The students took up qualifications under two TESDA programs, namely the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

TWSP is a scholarship program that targets to provide skilled workers in