A total of 17,284 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators have graduated from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training under the Tsuper Iskolar Program.

The Tsuper Iskolar Program is part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Under the Tsuper Iskolar Program, PUV drivers, operators or their relatives can avail of free training, skills assessment, and financial support while enrolled at TESDA.

“Lubos naming ikinagagalak na marami nang mga tsuper, operator at kanilang mga kaanak ang nakapagtapos sa ilalim ng Tsuper Iskolar Program, at nagkaroon ng karagdagan na skills at kaalaman. Nakapakalaking bagay ho para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa ating mga tsuper at operator ng mga pampublikong sasakyan na magkaroon ng karagdagang kaalaman upang mapabuti ang kanilang serbisyo, o ‘di kaya naman ay magkaroon sila ng kakayahan para sa iba pang pagkakakitaan lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya,” said Transportation Secretary Art Tugade.

The program was formally launched by DOTr and TESDA in 2019 and was granted a budget allocation of P350 million.

Of the total 20,866 PUV drivers, operators and their relatives who availed of the scholarship, 17,284 have graduated from the program while 2,778 are currently enrolled. There are still 804 slots available for the program beneficiaries.

Based on the latest data from TESDA, the breakdown of available slots for the Tsuper Iskolar Program per region are as follows: NCR (270), Cordillera Autonomous Region (10), Region 1 (5), Region IV-A (50), Region 5 (86), Region VII (228), Region IX (1), Region X (115), Region XII (20), and CARAGA (19).

This year, the DOTr has allocated an additional P100 million to accommodate 4,000 beneficiaries for the Tsuper Iskolar Program.

Under the Tsuper Iskolar program, drivers, operators and other transport workers can choose trainings and courses offered by TESDA such as driving, automotive repair, or construction.

Drivers and operators may also pass on the scholarship to their children, siblings or other relatives. Each trainee is entitled to P350 per day for their food and transportation costs while undergoing the 30 to 35-day course.

The DOTr Road Sector through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Office of the Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) endorses the official list of beneficiaries to TESDA.

The TESDA also accepts walk-in, online, Barangay Skills Need Survey (BSNS) applicants, and/or list of qualified candidates from organized enrollment seminars and fairs. Interested individuals will be asked to accomplish and submit application forms to avail of the program.

“Napakaraming kurso ang alok ng TESDA para sa Tsuper Iskolar Program. Maaaring pumili ang mga scholar kung ano man ang nais nilang training – maging ito man ay sa gawaing construction, automotive repair, agricultural courses, pati na rin ho ang mga food and beverage-related courses. Binibigyan natin sila ng kalaayang pumili ng kwalipikasyong aangkop sa nais nilang pasukang trabaho at industriya. Malaking tulong ho ito sa mga transport workers natin lalo na po sa mga tsuper at operator at mga pamilya nila na nawalan ng pagkakakitaan at naapektuhan talaga ng pandemyang COVID-19,” dagdag pa ni Sec. Tugade.

With the continuous implementation of the program, Sec. Tugade calls on other drivers and operators to avail of the scholarship and join the thousands of other Tsuper Iskolar beneficiaries.

“Inaanyayahan po ng DOTr at ng TESDA ang ating mga kaibigang tsuper, operator, at iba pang transport workers na lumahok sa programang ito para makapagsanay at mabigyan ng karagdagang kaalaman at iba pang oportunidad para kumita sa kabila ng pandemya. Matututo ka na, may allowance ka pa. Malaking tulong ‘ho ito,” said Sec. Tugade.

The complete list of courses offered under the Tsuper Iskolar program is available on the official TESDA website at www.tesda.gov.ph.