Zubiri: Bukidnon TESDA centers underutilized, used as goat pens

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Tuesday revealed that some of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) training centers he helped build in Bukidnon are being misused as “tambakan ng kambing” (places to keep goats or goat pens) or multipurpose buildings, deviating from their intended purpose. Zubiri stated that these facilities have become mere holding areas for goats, urging for a thorough investigation into their actual condition and demanding improvements. Tesda is a government agency responsible for vocational training and skills development for Filipinos, playing a crucial role in creating employment opportunities both domestically and internationally. However, the deteriorating utilization of training centers in Bukidnon suggests potential wastage of public funds and a failure to fulfill Tesda's mission of providing skills training to the populace. Zubiri expressed concern that this issue extends beyond mere facility management, potentially impacting the government's resource allocation and the overall system of providing education and training opportunities in rural areas. Moving forward, the senator intends to use his position in Congress to press Tesda for verification of the proper use of these facilities and the implementation of concrete measures to ensure they return to their original purpose. In the Philippines, remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are a significant pillar of the economy. However, high-quality vocational training within the country serves as the foundation for Filipinos to secure better working conditions. The effective utilization of Tesda centers is a critical issue directly linked to revitalizing the domestic economy and improving the lives of citizens.