DOLE regains supervision of TESDA

Under EO 5, the DOLE Secretary is designated as chairperson of the TESDA Board, pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 7796 which created TESDA in 1994. (File Photo By Judgefloro – Own work, CC0)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has regained control and supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed Executive Order (EO) 5, transferring TESDA’s authority from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to DOLE.

“The TESDA is hereby attached to the DOLE for policy and program coordination,” which takes effect immediately, the EO read.

EO 5 emphasized that it is the national government’s policy to “rationalize the functional structures of agencies with complementary mandates and promote coordination, efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy.”

Under EO 5, the DOLE Secretary is designated as chairperson of the TESDA Board, pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 7796 which created TESDA in 1994.

Section 7 states that the TESDA Board shall be chaired by the Labor Secretary, and co-chaired by the secretaries of Education and DTI.

Board members include the secretaries of Agriculture and Local Government and the director-general of the TESDA Secretariat.

The position classification and compensation structure applicable to the officials and employees of the TESDA shall comply with the Salary Standardization Law and other applicable laws, according to the EO, consistent with Section 16 of RA 7796.

“Nothing herein shall be construed to diminish or impair any lawful compensation or benefits that are currently being enjoyed by incumbent officials and employees,” EO 5 said.

The other provisions not affected by the issuance of EO 5 shall continue to be in force and effect.

TESDA, created by virtue of RA 7796, is the primary agency responsible for the formulation of technical education and skills development policies, plans and programs, taking into consideration improved linkages between industry, labor, and government in the crafting of any national-level plan.

With the signing of RA 7796, TESDA replaced and absorbed the powers and functions of the then-National Manpower and Youth Council and the apprenticeship program of the Bureau of Local Employment under DOLE.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 1 in 2016, placing TESDA under the supervision of the now-defunct Office of the Cabinet Secretary and later inked EO 67 in 2018, transferring the agency to the DTI.

TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz said his office will work with DOLE to provide more skills training, employment, and livelihood.