ILOILO CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will launch today, August 16, its "Tsuper Iskolar" program in Western Visayas.

Director Gaspar S. Gayona of TESDA VI said "Tsuper Iskolar" program is the government's response for stakeholders from the transportation sector, especially the public utility drivers, who will be affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Gayona said scholar beneficiaries will be provided free skills training and assessment under the program implemented in partnership with Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Beneficiaries will include not only drivers but also members of their family, those who will be displaced by the PUV modernization, and those stakeholders who want to exit or continue in the transport industry.

Some of the skills training courses offered under the program are Automotive Servicing, Machining, Driving, and Food Technology, among others. However, beneficiaries could also avail of the other TESDA courses.

More than 2,000 scholars in the region are expected to benefit from the program who will be endorsed by their respective transportation associations to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The list of qualified candidates will be submitted by LTFRB to TESDA.

Secretary Isidro Lapena of TESDA and Undersecretary Mark Richmund De Leon of DOTr are expected to attend the regional launching at Robinsons Place, Pavia.

Also invited were Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., Iloilo City mayor Jerry Trenas, Pavia mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta, regional director and other officials of the LTFRB, TESDA provincial directors, TTI administrators, TVET association officers and representatives from identified transport sector groups. (JBG/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)