Lapeña’s TESDA, 7 other agencies detached from OP

FILE: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) (PNA photo)

MANILA – Eight agencies attached to the Office of the President, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), had been transferred to different line departments.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the movement through Executive Order No. 67, which he signed on Wednesday to rationalize the OP and strengthen the democratic and institutional framework of the executive department.

“There is a need to further rationalize the OP Proper to strengthen its oversight functions over the executive department, and further streamline the relevant mandates of its own offices for improved coordination and collaboration, consistent with the right-sizing policy espoused by the Administration,” EO 67 reads.

The TESDA, now headed by former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, along with the Cooperative Development Authority have been be transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry.

On the other hand, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Commission on Women and the National Youth Commission are now under the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor have been transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“The above transferred government agencies shall harmonize their policies and coordinate their programs and activities with their supervising departments,” it said.

Last month, Duterte signed EO No. 62 transferring the National Food Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority and Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority from the OP to the Department of Agriculture.

Consistent with the right-sizing policy of the administration, Duterte also abolished the Office of Participatory Governance (OPG) and Performance and Projects Management Office (PPMO) under the OP Proper.