TESDA to make certifications verified by DMW, POEA to avoid fake certificates

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday said it will make its certifications verified by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to avoid proliferation of fake certificates.

At the public briefing, TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III said this was discussed in the recent meeting with the DMW officials in order to prevent Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS) becoming victims of fake national certificates from TESDA.

“Napagusapan yung mga kababayan na nabibiktima ng mga pekeng national certification ng TESDA. Kaya po we will make our certifications na pwede po siyang iverify ng POEA or ng DMW in regards the veracity of the certificate na hawak po ng mga workers,” Bertiz said.

(The meeting also discussed the problems among OFWs who were victims of fake national certifications from TESDA. So we will make our certifications that can be verified by the POEA or the DMW in regards to the veracity of the certificate held by the workers.)

“Isa po ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit po nagkakaproblema ang ating migrant workers lalo na sa Middle East dahil dito sa mga pekeng certificate. But because of digitalization we can verify it, both DMW [and POEA] doon sa mga issuance natin at meron din silang nirecommend na courses and other opportunities sa mga kababayan at migrant workers,” he added.

(This is one of the reasons why our migrant workers are having problems especially in the Middle East because of fake certificates. But because of digitalization we can verify it, both the DMW and POEA, here in our issuances and they also have recommended courses and other opportunities for our fellow Filipinos and migrant workers.)

Bertiz said the TESDA also coordinated with the DMW to strengthen training programs for domestic workers, caregiver, and other new emerging markets and demands in other countries.

He said that among the directives of TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz is to involve the families of the OFWs in the agency’s programs.

“Ganun na rin po yung mga kamaganak, isa rin po sa direktiba ng director general is to involve in all our programs yung mga pamilya. Lalo na po pagdating sa integration, hindi yung pagbalik mo pa lang dito doon ka pa lang iisip kung ano yung pwedeng manegosyo ng ating mga kababayan. This time nakakatulong na rin po tayo pati doon sa kanilang mga kamag-anak,” he said.

(One of the directives of the director general is to involve the families in all our programs. Especially when it comes to integration, this time we are also helping their relatives.)

Bertiz also invited the public to avail TESDA programs online to hone their skills and knowledge.

He said there are about 150 courses offered online under the agency website: www.tesda.gov.ph.

— RSJ, GMA News