Rep. Rene L. Relampagos has bagged the prestigious National “Kabalikat Awards” of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the Legislative Partner category.

“Kabalikat Award” gives due recognition to the agency’s outstanding partners in the promotion and enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). It is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firms and companies, local government units and legislative partners because of their good practices and contribution in the promotion and development of Filipino skilled workers.

“I am so grateful to TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva for recognizing our efforts in promoting technical-vocational education among our youth. This award means so much to me as I have always been an advocate of skills development. I believe that equipping Filipino students with practical skills will help them gain employment easily, thereby, addressing the issues of job mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country,” Relampagos stressed.

The Kabalikat Awards and Idol ng TESDA awarding ceremony was held at TESDA Auditorium in Taguig City last August 25, 2015.

Relampagos filed a bill seeking the establishment of specialized TESDA centers in the towns of Loon and Balilihan. The TESDA training centers will enhance the competencies of local residents and even those from neighboring towns and would prepare them for eventual employment or entrepreneurship.

“Skills development is one area that is seen by many as having the full potential to contribute to the improvement of the local economy,” he noted.

Relampagos added that with the emergence of the global market of skills, the local communities of Bohol will be better served if it is prepared to meet the needs and requirements of both the domestic and international labor markets.

Relampagos has also secured a P3.6-million scholarship allocation under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP). The amount includes training cost, training allowance, assessment fee, and entrepreneurship cost, shall be enjoyed by 232 scholars. STEP is a community-based specialty training that will address the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment, and service-oriented activities.

Overall, Region VII or Central Visayas, which includes Bohol , has a total scholarship allocation of P129.72 million that would benefit close to 15,000, he said.

The Legislative Partner category includes the office of a congressman or senator which provided exemplary support to and cooperation with TESDA in various activities that lead to the improvement of TVET in the country.