The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), under the leadership of Director General Jose Francisco Benitez, has awarded certificates of scholarship commitment to the family of Mary Jane Veloso, the agency said in a press release on Sunday (Dec. 1).
Upon instruction of Benitez, TESDA Nueva Ecija Provincial Director Alvin Yturralde visited the home of Celia Veloso, the mother of Mary Jane, in Barangay Burol, General Natividad town on Nov. 26 and presented the certificates to Mary Jane’s two sons, which entitles them to free training in any TESDA-recognized training center.
Four more certificates were given to Mary Jane’s siblings and cousins.
“Special priority ng TESDA ang mga distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) tulad ni Mary Jane Veloso,” Benitez said, highlighting that one of his eight-point agenda is to expand access to technical-vocational training for vulnerable groups.
Veloso has been detained in Indonesia for 14 years now, but will soon be transferred to the custody of Philippine authorities, following an agreement between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Indonesian government.
“We are closely collaborating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to provide skills training for distressed and repatriated OFWs and their families, so they have other options for employment and livelihood,” Benitez added.
TESDA and the DMW signed a memorandum of agreement last Oct. 15 for provision of training and competency assessment for OFWs.
Last week, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac also visited the Veloso family and provided welfare assistance. ||
