LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Sa pagdiriwang ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ng kanilang Ika-90 Anibersaryo ngayong taon, nakatakdang magsagawa ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Youth, Sports and Public Employment Service Office ng Bulacan Trabaho Service: Job Fair sa Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium sa lungsod na ito sa Disyembre 7, 2023, ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga.
Sinabi ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando na mag-aalok ang mini job fair ng mahigit 2,000 job vacancies mula sa 20 lokal at 10 overseas na kumpanya at employers.
Kabilang sa libu-libong job openings ang Associate Agency Manager at Financial Advisor para sa Sun Life GREPA Financial; Receptionist, Waiter, Chief Cook, Steward at Stockman para sa Jolly Management Solutions Inc.; at Automotive Mechanic, Automotive Technician, at Sales Executives at ShowroomAssistant para sa ASAP Automan Services and Parts Incorporated.
Nakaangkla sa temang “Serbisyong Mabilis at Matapat sa Bagong Pilipinas”, nakatakdang magbigay ng mahigit 28,000 oportunidad sa trabaho ang DOLE sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng job fair sa buong buwan ng Disyembre na gaganapin sa iba’t ibang lugar sa buong bansa.
Hinihikayat ang mga interesadong aplikante na sagutan ang pre-registration link sa https://forms.gle/j5cdnRxSRRWtUXtW9 o bisitahin ang Provincial PESO Bulacan facebook page para sa iba pang detalye.
Mga Bulacan jail guard, sumailalim sa skills at competence seminar
LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Sa paghahangad na mapataas ang kanilang kahusayan at mas mapabuti ang kanilang mga kakayahan, nagsagawa ang Provincial Civil Security and Jail Management Office (PCSJMO) ng ‘Custodial Intervention Seminar in the Bulacan Provincial Jail’ noong buwan ng Nobyembre sa Gusali ng Kapitolyo ng Bulacan dito na dinaluhan ng mga miyembro ng Bulacan Provincial Jail Custodial Force.
Sa pangunguna ni PCOL. Rizalino A. Andaya, may kabuuang 74 na tauhan mula sa BJP custodial force ang sumailalim sa matinding pagsasanay noong Nobyembre 8, 9, 15 at 22 kung saan nagkaroon sila ng pagkakataong palakasin ang kanilang kumpiyansa sa pagtugon sa iba’t ibang sitwasyong maaaring maganap habang sila ay gumaganap sa tungkulin habang nirerespeto ang karapatang pantao ng mga persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at kung paano ito ipatutupad sa detention facility, gaano man kaseryoso ang inakusang krimen sa kanila.
Kabilang sa mahahalagang itinuro ni PCOL. Andaya ay ang tamang paghawak ng baril kabilang ang wastong tindig, basic principle sa sight picture, tamang gripping, squeezing at tamang paghinga; handcuffing, weaponry at crowdcontrol para sa pagkakataong magkaroon ng close quartersbattle katulad ng pagkakataong may nakatakas na PDL; tamang approach sa jailbreaks, riot at mga kalamidad.
Sa kanyang mensahe, sinabi ni Gob. Daniel R. Fernando na sa pamamagitan ng pamumuhunan sa iba’t ibang pagsasanay at pagpapaunlad ng mga jail guard, hindi lamang tinitiyak ng lalawigan ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga correctional facility kundi nakatutulong din ito sa recovery at eventual societal reintegration ng mga nasa ilalim ng kanilang pangangasiwa.
“Ang inisyatiba na ito ay hindi lamang para sa pagpapaunlad ng ating mga jail guards kundi isang pangako rin sa isang mas epektibo at makataong criminal justice system dito sa ating lalawigan,” ani Fernando.
YOUNGEST TAKER, NEW LAWYER. Top 12 in the 2023 Bar examinations, Bulacan State University (BulSU) College of Law 2022 graduate, Cedric Jerome Moya Cruz of Sabang, Baliwag is a court decongestion officer at Branch 15 of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC). Photo from his social media account
CITY OF MALOLOS–A 25 year old 2022 Bulacan State University (BulSU) College of Law (COL) graduate who works as a court decongestion officer placed 12th in the 2023 Bar examination result released by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Atty. Cedric Jerome Moya Cruz of Branch 15 of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) leads seventeen out of nineteen BulSU law graduates who made it in the most recent hurdle for the newest lawyers in the country. He placed 12th with a rating score of 87. 9250%.
Cruz, the youngest among the 19 takers is from Barangay Sabang, City of Baliwag.
Bulacan IBP Director Rose Bautista said, BulSU College of Law’s performance in the bar showed an 89.47 % passing rate and is the Top 4 performing law school with 11-50 first time candidates.
This is the second time a BulSU law graduate earns a top post in the bar exams after Ronel Buenaventura placed 10th place in 2015 Bar examinations which result was released in 2016, Bautista added.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala. Ang wish ko lang talaga ay makapasa, bonus na lang na naging Top 12 ako,” (I couldn’t believe it. My wish is to just pass, but I was even luckier, it was a real blessing that I paced 12th), he told NEWS CORE on the phone.
Cruz is in full gratitude to God for the overwhelming Christmas Season gift to him and his family. He dedicated his success to his mother, a public school teacher for her love and sacrifices for his education until he graduated from law school and also to his father, a Baliwag Transit bus inspector.
Cruz said he wants to concentrate in litigation of criminal and civil cases.
Based on the result of the recent examinations, 3,812, or 36.77 percent, of the 10,387 examinees have passed.
The Tabang, Guiguinto bridge in Bulacan which will be closed for traffic to pave the way for the construction of a viaduct of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Tabang bridge in this town which connects Manila North Road, the North Luzon Expressway and the Maharlika Highway is temporarily ordered closed for traffic for 18 days starting on Tuesday, Dec. 5 to give way for the ongoing works in the 147 kilometer Clark International Airport-Calamba, Laguna North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.
In an advisory to the motorists, DOTr and other partner government agencies in the project said the closure will only be until Dec. 22 and will immediately be opened again on Dec. 23 in time for Christmas.
Concrete girders will be installed for the viaduct of the elevated train on top of the bridge. The particular viaduct will connect Malolos to the Guiguinto station of the NSCR and part of the 58.78% progress rate of the Phase 1 Tutuban to Malolos section.
Phase 2 of the project from Malolos to Clark is already on 50.02 % progress rate, according to the DOTr.
Motorists can use the KATUPARAN Road near the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Tabang toll plaza-Provincial Engineering Office (PEO)- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) route.
The NSCR which will reduce the travel time between Malolos and Tutuban from 1.50 hours by bus to just 35 minutes started as a NorthRail project during the administration of former President Arroyo but it was halted by late former President Benigno Aquino III during his time. It only proceeded through the national government’s US$ 2.8 billion worth loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Build Build Build project of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Today, under the Build Better More infrastructure thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the NSCR project is expected to be completed by 2028.
According to Arlene Pascual, Bulacan Provincial Planning and Development Officer, the NSCR from Malolos-Tutuban worth P$1.99 billion is nearing its full completion. Its Malolos to New Clark City section which is P23.40 Billion. 37. 50 km railway with 10 stations between Malolos and Tutuban will serve up to 300,000 passengers daily, she added..
The nativity live carroza rolled into the Bulacan Capitol on Friday for the Christmas Tree lighting signalling this year’s “Paskong Bulakenyo”. Photo by Carnela Reyes-Estrope
CITY OF MALOLOS—Christmas story live carrozas which do not only depicts the birth and childhood of Jesus Christ but also gives reflection on the people’s fading Christian values these days paraded in this capital city on Friday which highlighted the lighting up of the Bulacan Capitol Christmas Tree that signals the start of the annual “Paskong Bulakenyo” celebration and tradition.
Fr. Ibarra Mercado, SSL (License in Sacred Scripture), parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church in City of Meycauayan who began and conceptualized the live carrozas tradition ten years ago, in 2013, said through the carrozas, the Church would want to help remind the people who are losing their Christian values during these modern times to regain and practice them again.
The live carroza of “Flight to Egypt” of Joseph, Mary and child Jesus to flee from King Herod. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope
Based on the synodality principle of the Catholic Church which is “ living our faith that calls for speaking and listening to one another and the Holy Spirit in order to find a path forward in addressing the issues facing the Church in our day as we work to carry out our mission of making known the Good News of salvation in Jesus” Mercado said, this year’s carrozas focused on eight stories of Christmas which have a deep significance and relevance in today’s diminishing Christian values.
The live carrozas are participated in by different sectors—church groups, academe, business and the youth in the City of Meycauayan.
The first carroza was John de Baptist which calls for repentance and washing of the sins. According to the priest, people these days blame their sins and wrong doings to others. Many lost their sense of sins. The Cardinal Academy, Inc. prepared the float.
The second carroza is the Wedding of Joseph and Mary. The sanctity of the union vows of a couple are no longer observed and practiced these days, contrary to what is morally upright legal custom and teachings of marriage by the church, Mercado said. The float was prepared by the Commission on Youth, Commission on Social Communication and Ministry of the Altar Servers of the parish.
The “paskong Bulakenyo” Christmas Tree lit up on Friday in front of the Provincial Capitol. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope
The third float is the nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ, the “Emmanuel” in a manger in Bethlehem. Emmanuel, Mercado said, means, “God is with us” as we journey in this life going back to our Father in heaven. It was prepared by St. Anne Academy of Meycauayan. Mercado wants all the people to be reminded of the love of God and the redemption and salvation of mankind through the birth of Christ.
La Virgen dela Leche, the fourth float depicts Jesus being a human and as an infant Jesus. He was being breastfeed by his mother (Mama Mary). Breastfeeding, Mercado said, dates back during the beginning of times or before Christ and this remains to be the ideal feeding for infants. Mercado hails the Department of Health on its campaign programs on breastfeeding. Mothers should really prefer breastfeeding, he said. The float was prepared by the Commission on Evangelization, Pandiosesis na Sentro ng Katekesis (PASKA), El Shaddai, Pondo ng Pinoy, Bible Apostolate and Bukas Loob sa Diyos.
The fifth float presents the 3 Kings who visit and bring gifts to baby Jesus. The kings recognized Jesus as the only real King and the Shepherd of the people. These days, people should return to Jesus Christ as still the only real King, Mercado said. The float was prepared by the Knights of Columbus, Lay Ministers, Daughters of Mary Immaculate.
The sixth float is the Flight to Egypt of Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus as recounted in the Gospel of St. Matthew wherein Joseph was warned in a dream that King Herod intends on killing the child Jesus. So, he took Mary and the baby to Egypt for safety. These days, because of wars, political upheavals, coup d’état, famine, poverty, families flee from one country to another affecting the lives of the children. People who migrates to other country should be reminded that they have the right to return back to their country of origin if the situation gets better. The float is prepared by Botika sa Kanto.
Float seventh is “Slaughtering of 2 year old Jewish Boys”. These are the abuses on children during conflicts and war and loss of opportunities in life making them young bandits, young rebels and victims of sex trafficking and organ harvesting syndicates. Meycauayan College was behind the float.
The eight float represents joy, happiness, peace and prosperity as a live Santa Claus with little children dressed like him depicts the generosity and kindness which are all good qualities of Jesus. Sub-Pastoral Parish Council (SPPC) Medallion and Pandayan 2 prepared the float.
Mercado took the initiative and the inspiration to parade floats with live characters to remind people of the story of Christ in response to the Church call for “New Evangelization”.
“If beauty queens and movie stars take center stage on the streets during Flores De Mayo and Santa Cruzan traditions in the month of May, why not the people in the community who could play the characters in the story of the birth of Jesus Christ,” he told Inquirer.
The live carrozas began in Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte where Mercado was assigned in 2013.
Gov. Daniel Fernando funds the live carrozas for the past six years.
The rolling of the carrozas precedes the lighting up of the Capitol Christmas Tree led by Fernando, Vice Gov. Alex Castro and all the provincial government officials.
Fernando appeared even more healthier and more inspiring through his message of love, hope, unity and forgiveness.
“This tradition gives every Bulakenyo a felt of the spirit of Christmas because of joy and smiles in their hearts which is my way of expressing my love and gratitude for all of you for your continued love and trust in me,” (Ang pagsisindi natin ng ilaw ng ating Christmas Tree ay simbolo ng pagmamahal, pag-asa at pagpapatawad ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan. Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat sa patuloy ninyong pagmamahal at pagtitiwala sa akin bilang ama ng ating lalawigan. Kayo ang nananatili kong inspirasyon at kalakasan), he said.
The event is among the very few wide-open public activities the governor graced and attended after he physically resumed with his works early October.
The governor had to take a few weeks of rest in September after he suffered from exhaustion and dehydration due to the depth of works and activities of the Provincial Government of Bulacan he immersed himself in.
But above all, Fernando said, the only brightest star in all the Christmas Trees in the whole world and the universe is Christ, who is the symbol of love, hope and forgiveness that God bestowed to mankind.
Carollings, street corner’s bibingka and puto bumbong with tsaa (hot tea), children lined up in front of the house of wealthy families on Christmas Day and the “sumang Pasko” with ube halaya and sweetened beans are just among the very common Paskong Bulakenyo traditions.
Vice Gov. Alex Castro spoke about the joy of giving something to the less fortunate especially during this season of love and giving.
Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) implores governments to do everything in its power to ensure an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. We commend the Malaysian and Indonesian governments for exercising leadership together with Brunei in calling for a lasting cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the immediate provision of much needed humanitarian aid to civilians caught in conflict. We call on the Philippine government to do the same and add its voice to its regional neighbors given the immense human cost of this war.
Though the recent truce is the first sign of humanity after weeks of relentless violence, it is by no means a solution of any kind. Any respite for the people of Gaza is welcome, especially if it gives them access to medical supplies, food, and water. However, considering the immeasurable needs, this temporary truce is not nearly enough to organize the delivery of sufficient aid to meet the immeasurable needs.
Israel has shown its blatant and total disregard for the protection of Gaza’s medical facilities. We are watching as hospitals are being turned into morgues, and even ruins. They are being hit by strikes, tanks and guns, encircled and raided, killing patients and medical staff.
Regidor Esguerra is a Filipino nurse who was working for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, as a project coordinator. He recalls, “An airstrike hit a building less than 500 meters away from us. We could feel our houses shake.”
A Filipino nurse-midwife, Darwin Diaz, was working in Gaza as a medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders. “In the morgue of al-Shifa Hospital, we could see piles and piles of white cloth that they had wrapped the bodies in. And you could tell from the size – you could see the small ones, which were children, and the big ones were the adults.”
Family members of the Doctors Without Borders Palestinian staff and volunteers have also become victims of violence, their houses razed, their family members killed. Two of our doctors, Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila and Dr Ahmad Al Sahar, and a third doctor working with Al Awda, Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari, were killed following a strike on Al Awda Hospital, one of the last remaining functional hospitals in Northern Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 178 attacks on health care, including 22 fatalities and 48 injuries of health workers on duty. Three medical doctors of Doctors Without Borders have been killed inside Al Awda hospital, and many more have lost family members. Numerous other colleagues have been injured. Other fellow humanitarian organizations have reported dozens of their staff killed.
Medical staff, including our own, are utterly exhausted and beyond despair. They have had to amputate limbs from children suffering from severe burns –without anesthesia or sterilized surgical tools. People are dying of pain due to shortages of pain relief medications. Due to forcible evacuations by Israeli soldiers, some doctors have had to leave patients behind and face an unimaginable choice: their lives or those of their patients. There is no fathomable justification for such atrocious acts.
Three of our Doctors Without Borders staff have been killed, and many more have lost family members. Numerous other colleagues have been injured. Other fellow humanitarian organizations have reported dozens of their staff killed.
Gaza, under an Israel-imposed blockade since 2007, is indeed the world’s largest open-air prison. From the start of its military campaign, the Israeli government enforced a “complete siege” on Gaza, banning the entry of water, food, fuel and medicinal supplies for the 2.3 million civilians trapped in the enclave. Added to this, unyielding restrictions have been put on humanitarian access and are preventing much needed aid from reaching anyone who needs it. Subjecting an entire population to collective punishment is a war crime as per International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
We are witnessing the fundamental principle of humanity being openly disgraced.
Despite Israel’s claims, its all-out assault is not being waged just on Hamas. It is being waged on all of Gaza and its people at any cost. Even wars have rules, but Israel is clearly trading them in for its own military doctrine based on disproportionality. In the early days of this unbearable offensive, the spokesman for Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the “emphasis” of this flagrantly excessive reprisal was to be on “damage and not accuracy”. It is safe to say Israel’s actions have spoken louder than their words.
Northern Gaza is being erased from the map. The health system has collapsed. More than 14,000 people have been killed, half of which are children, according to Gaza’s health authorities. That’s one out of every 200 people in Gaza. Tens of thousands are injured. Families are digging their dead loved ones out from under the rubble. At least 1.7 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. These civilians have been forcibly ordered to move south, but Israel is bombing that area too. Nowhere is safe.
Our emergency team in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, has reported massive influxes of wounded after intense bombing and airstrikes, including on overcrowded squalid refugee camps where people are barely surviving on the sparse humanitarian aid available. If the bombs do not get them, infectious diseases and starvation will.
Our medical teams in the West Bank also report attacks on healthcare with a surge in violence, persecution and harassment, in which over 200 Palestinians have been killed since 7th October, either by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) or settlers, according to the United Nations.
A sustained ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing of thousands more civilians and to allow for the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid. Doctors Without Borders also calls for the establishment of an independent mechanism to oversee the adequate flow of humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The indiscriminate and relentless attacks must stop now. The forcible displacements must stop now.
The assaults on hospitals and medical staff must stop now.
Thus far, world leaders have been complicit, either by funding or providing Israel with weapons, or have made no efforts other than empty words, failing to stem the relentless bloodshed and atrocities being committed in Gaza.
It is time for the Philippines to amplify calls to “respect the protection of civilians” and use your diplomatic leverage to convince the State of Israel that the death sentence it has handed the people of Gaza is inhumane and indefensible.
We urge you to take action. Uphold our shared humanity.
“We did what we could. Remember us.” These are the words our Doctors Without Borders doctor wrote on a Gaza hospital whiteboard normally used for planning surgeries. When the guns fall silent and the true scale of devastation is revealed, will you and your government be able to say the same?
Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Casto with the young Bulakenyo athletes who are set to participate in the Batang Pinoy 2023 on December 15-22, 2023 to be held in Metro Manila, Tagaytay and Laguna.
With them during the photo opportunity coinciding the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan today are (back row, third from left) Board Member Cezar L. Mendoza and (second row, far left) Benjamin B. Santos, Jr., division head from Provincial Youth, Sports, and Public Service Office.
As the holiday starts to kick in, we look for opportunities to spend time with family and friends over the festive season. That being said, SM City Marilao is a fun place to be with its new concept stores that’s worth a visit.
Be well everyday with a cup of YoWell frozen yogurt now available at SM City Marilao.
It’s time to collect more memories with Dear Self Self-Portrait Studio located at the second level of SM City Marilao. Dear Self offers an engaging, customized approach to taking amazing pictures. Anyone can shoot like a pro and let their creativity run wild at Dear Self. Wonder how it works? Simply pick a backdrop from their wide range of option. Afterwards, just navigate through their professional equipment that comes with a clicker so you can conveniently snap your shots. For inspo, you may look at their lovely gallery for creative and unique poses you may remake during the photo shoot. Lastly, pick your snaps for printing. Do not fret as the rest of your shots will be sent to your inbox via digital copy so you can keep the memories for a lifetime.
Shoot like a pro and let your creativity run wild at Dear Self Self-Portrait Studio located at the second level of SM City Marilao.Capture priceless snaps with friends and family at Dear Self- Self Portrait Studio in SM City Marilao.
Because nothing beats a special bond over refreshing food or drinks, SM City Marilao recently welcomed YoWell, BLK and 7 Stars Café— two specialty brands to make your stay at the mall a lot merrier.
YoWell, raises the bar high when it comes to a luxurious yogurt experience at an affordable price. Chill into the holidays with their offerings uniquely crafted for anyone who loves frozen yogurt. This includes the cold and icy Yogurt Frost available in different flavors; Yogurt Parfait, a healthier ice cream alternative; Plain Yogurt that comes with syrup and fruit cereals; as well as Yogurt in 1-L bottle packed with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria probiotics, rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and Zinc for immunity. If you opt to get creative and more personalized with your yogurt, you might as well try their Yogurt-All-You-Can. Here, you may dispense and decorate yogurt all you want, and simply pay according to its weight.
Create your own cup of froyo only at YoWell in SM City Marilao.
What’s not to love about fluffy, souffle pancakes? If you are craving for one, 7 Stars Café at SM City Marilao is the place to be. Its dreamy interiors match the hear melting menu they offer. Try their bestseller souffle pancake topped with variety of cheesecake recipes including oreo, bobba, matcha, and biscoff, or choice of mixed fresh fruits. Additionally, 7 Stars Café serves appetizers, milk tea, iced coffee, frappe, fruit tea, milk series, among others.
7 Stars Café in SM City Marilao serves the best fluffy, souffle pancakes in the town.
Plan your next food crawl and visit the latest food destinations only at SM Bulacan malls. Stay on the loop, as the malls will unveil some of the best store concepts in the coming days. Follow the social media pages of SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan for updates.
Senate Majority Floor Leader, Senator Joel Villanueva
Mr. President, with a heavy heart, this representation would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and stand in solidarity with the survivors, who were all victims of the explosion during the celebration of the Catholic Mass at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This representation strongly condemns the heinous act of violence against innocent individuals who were gathered to celebrate their faith in the most solemn way. This demonic attack is not just an assault on a particular group; it is an attack on every individual’s right and fundamental freedom. We denounce this senseless act that aims to divide our nation and assaults our shared values of harmony, peace, and coexistence.
Mr. President, we have always been an advocate of religious freedom. In fact, during the deliberation of now Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, we pushed for the inclusion of a provision that will guarantee religious freedom and the free exercise thereof in the Bangsamoro territory. This is to ensure that all people in the Bangsamoro Region are protected from harassment or any undue pressure, coercion, and violence on account of religion.
Thus, it is really unfortunate that this tragic incident happened. We call on all our law enforcement agencies to exert their best efforts in finding the perpetrators and deliver justice for all.
Senate Majority Floor Leader, Senator Joel Villanueva
Maganda at mapagpalang araw po sa ating lahat. Ngayong araw pong ito, tatalakayin natin ang isa sa mga adbokasiyang malapit sa ating puso – ang pagpapalawig ng mga oportunidad para sa “enterprise-based education and training (EBET).” Kasama po sa ating talakayan ang ating panukalang Senate Bill No. 363 at House Bill No. 7400.
When TESDA formulated the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2022, the agency set ambitious targets to increase the percentage of learners taking Enterprise-Based Training from 4% in 2016 to 40% by 2022. However, by the end of 2022, we are still far from such targets, with enrollees and graduates reaching only 209,975 (16.66% of all TVET learners) and 190,979 (or 15.51%), respectively.
The number of EBET providers also remain low. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, we already had 983 EBET providers. However, in 2022, we only had 830 EBET providers, and as of August 2023, there are only 684 providers.
This is really unfortunate, considering that EBET has proven to be a reliable bridge connecting our trainees to employment. In fact, in the 2021 Study on the Employment of 2020 TVET Graduates by TESDA, the three highest employment outcomes came from enterprise-based training modalities. Under the Dual Training System, 100% of the graduates were absorbed by the enterprise after their training, followed by 90.20% of graduates under the Learnership program. Meanwhile, 89.67% of In-Company modality graduates were hired after their In-Company arrangement.
During our hearing today, we want to hear from our resource speakers what we could do to improve these numbers. How can we improve the existing legal framework on EBET to maximize its potential?
• Tama ba ang distribusyon natin ng scholarships at support mechanisms para sa iba’t ibang modes ng pagdeliver ng TVET courses?
• Sapat ba ang ating mga EBET Trainers at Assessors?
• Ang sistema ba ng pag-rehistro ng mga programa at pagbibigay ng insentibo sa mga enterprises ay malinaw at madali?
• Paano natin mapro-protektahan ang mga TVET learners upang ma-maximize nila ang kanilang enterprise-based education at training?
These are just some of the aspects we hope to explore in today’s hearing. We look forward to an enriching discussion for today’s hearing. Thank you and may God bless us all.
