Driving course to be integrated into TESDA courses

CEBU, Philippines —  The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas will soon integrate its driving course to the National Certificate (NC) courses of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

This is in order give the public more options in getting their driver’s license without spending more.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with TESDA to harmonize the “driver’s training, education, and transformation” of both agencies.

“We’re working with TESDA para ma-activate na nato ang TESDA nga program. Ang katong NCII, NCIII nga program sa TESDA i-accredited namo og apil sa LTO,” said Caindec.

He added that they are just waiting for the implementing guidelines to formally implement the partnership.

The MOA read that it “will empower TESDA and its training centers to offer Theoretical Driving Course and Practical Driving Course (PDC) equivalent to that being offered by the LTO Driver’s Education Center (DEC).”

Under the MOA, TESDA Driving NC II will be equivalent to PDC for non-professional driver’s license with restriction code 2.

While TESDA Driving NC III will be equivalent to PDC for professional driver’s license and/or additional restriction code of 3/8.

Currently, LTO-7 is offering Technical Driving Courses (TDC) through its DEC to the public who cannot afford a private driving school.

“This is still on top of the Malasakit Program gibuhat sa LTO where we’re giving out free scholarships sa Theoretical Driving Course pinaagi sa atong collaborations sa mga local government units,” said Caindec.

Caindec in a statement said that one of their challenges in LTO-7’s DEC is the no-show of the applicants.

LTO-7 has a limited classroom capacity as of the moment due to the 50 percent protocol requirement of the Inter-Agency Task Force due to the pandemic.

As of April 30, LTO-7 has accredited 36 private driving schools around Central Visayas.

In Cebu City, the accredited driving schools are AZB88 Driving School, TL Mabuhay Driving Lesson Academy Inc., in Mambaling and Pahina Central, CTS-Cebu, and Smart Driving School in Mabolo.

Mandaue City has four available driving schools which include TL Mabuhay, AZB88 Driving School, NC Tiger Driving School, and P5 iDrive Driving School.

TL Mabuhay, AZB88 Driving School, and MJM Lapu-Lapu are also accredited in Lapu-Lapu City.

While in Talisay City both TL Mabuhay and Garnet Driving School are the public’s option.

In Consolacion, TL Mabuhay and St. Raphael Driving & Technical School Inc. are accredited.

TL Mabuhay, Primetech Skill Institute, and NC Tiger Driving School for Danao City residents.

Twin Driving Institute and TL Mabuhay for Medellin; and TL Mabuhay in both Bantayan Island and Camotes Island.

Balamban has two accredited driving schools which include TL Mabuhay and P5 iDrive Driving School; TL Mabuhay in Toledo City; TL Mabuhay and AZB88 Driving School in Carcar City; and P5 iDrive Driving School in Ronda.

Outside Cebu, Bohol has three accredited schools which are located at Tagbilaran City, Talibon, and Garcia Hernadez, all operated by TL Mabuhay.

In Negros Oriental, three TL Mabuhay schools in Bayawan, Dumaguete City, and Bais City are options, as well as Sto. Nino Skills Training & Assessment Center. Inc., in Damaguete City. — GMR (FREEMAN)