Tesda warns of 230,000 scholarship slots cut in 2027 budget

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has sounded an alarm over potential cuts to its scholarship program, warning that approximately 230,000 training slots could be eliminated next year due to reduced budget allocations.

Tesda Secretary Francisco "Kiko" Benitez made the announcement in Iligan City, citing inadequate funding in the 2027 National Expenditure Program submitted by the Office of the President to Congress. The proposed budget allocation falls short of the agency's requirements to maintain current scholarship offerings, prompting concerns about the impact on Filipinos pursuing technical and vocational education.

The potential reduction represents a significant challenge for Tesda's mission to provide accessible skills training to Filipinos seeking to enter the workforce or improve their employability. Scholarship programs administered by the agency serve as a critical pathway for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to acquire marketable technical skills across various industries.

Benitez's warning underscores growing pressure on government social programs amid budget constraints. The agency has urged Congress to reconsider the funding allocation during the budget deliberation process to prevent the loss of training opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.