MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) have signed a joint memorandum circular that would align their flagship programs to ensure that every technical-vocational scholar seamlessly transitions from the classroom straight into a stable job or a fully funded community enterprise.
The JMC was signed at the Tesda headquarters in Taguig City on Wednesday by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino and Tesda Director-General Kiko Benitez.
The signing, according to Tesda, is a significant step in strengthening institutional convergence between the two agencies, building on Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, Series of 2024, which first established a unified framework for coordinating employment facilitation, livelihood support, and TVET programs.
Under the JMC, a "structured referral pathway" or graduation system will be established that would enable the seamless movement of beneficiaries across government programs, supporting pathways toward sustainable employment or livelihood, such as transitioning Tupad beneficiaries into Tesda scholarship programs and job placement opportunities.
It also strengthens accountability through an Anti-Double Dipping Policy, which sets clear safeguards and verification processes to ensure that beneficiaries do not simultaneously avail of similar forms of assistance from both agencies, thereby promoting fairness and optimal use of public resources.
It also introduces Community-Based Enterprise Groups, also known as “Tropa sa Negosyo at Trabaho,” which organizes groups of at least five individuals with complementary skills into collective enterprises aimed at improving productivity, sustainability, and market access.
The two agencies will also implement a Data Sharing Framework through a shared digital registry that will enhance beneficiary tracking, eligibility validation, and joint monitoring and reporting, building on the existing data sharing agreement between the two agencies.
The JMC underscores both agencies’ commitment to strengthening convergence in employment facilitation, livelihood support, and technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs.
In his speech, Benitez said that the strengthened partnership is designed to ensure that government interventions translate into real opportunities for Filipinos.
“This strengthened effort alongside DOLE builds the seamless pathways we aim for Training to Trabaho. We want to make sure that Filipino learners and workers are not left on their own after training," Benitez said.
For his part, Tolentino said that the partnership would strengthen his aim of revitalizing the TUPAD or Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Displaced Workers program that would not only produce not just temporary employment, but a long-term solution to underemployment and unemployment.
"With that, I think the phrase [to] catch all Filipinos would be very, very appropriate and realistic," Tolentino said.
He added that DOLE is ready to provide financial assistance to those displaced by disasters and that Tesda would provide the training framework for them to start their own businesses.
