MANILA, Philippines — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will provide free training to thousands of human rights victims during the Marcos dictatorship, an official said yesterday.
TESDA director-general Guiling Mamondiong said they have identified 6,000 martial law victims as initial beneficiaries of the Non-Monetary Reparation (NMR) program.
Mamondiong said the skills training would help the beneficiaries and their families improve their chances of getting jobs.
“Eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of the free skills training and other TESDA services such as needs assessment, career counselling, competency assessment and certification, entrepreneurship training as well as job referrals,” he said.
The TESDA is also looking at providing human rights victims scholarship grants.
The beneficiaries can visit any TESDA office to inquire about scholarship programs such as Training for Work Scholarship Program, Private Education Student Financial Assistance, Special Training for Employment Program and Language Skills Training.
In the absence of a surviving human rights victim, Mamondiong said qualified dependents may avail themselves of the skills training.
After the training, the TESDA will endorse the beneficiaries to the Public Employment Service Office of local government units for job referrals.
Mamondiong said the Duterte administration recognizes the heroism and sacrifices of martial law victims.