Presidential Spokesman Harrry Roque announced October 9th that the government through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Managing Infectious Diseases has allowed face-to-face training and assessments of OFWs.

IATF Resolution 78 now allows Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) and TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs) in areas for outbound overseas Filipino workers under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or lower.

Previously, the IATF Omnibus Guidelines only permits face-to-face assessment under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for up to 50% assessment site capacity.

Appeal.

Earlier, Pres. Glenn Mark Blasquez of the Association of Technical Schools in Manila (ATSMI- Manila) and VP of Southern Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS), implored TESDA that accredited training centers be assessed, especially for outbound seafarers with job contracts and have completed training.

Blasquez explains it’s just a one-day assessment by TESDA for a National Certificate (NC) to document the OFW is competent. Waiting are some 600 from SIMS and about 3,000 more from other centers. On top, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), lists some 16,000 regular cooks. If half of them were for maritime, 8,000 are yet pending while so needed by ships.

NC is issued after assessment as proof of competence for courses on Ships Catering NCI Messman, Ships Catering NCIII, Ship Cooks, Domestic Workers and Caregivers; Messman Course & Housekeeping Services (with TESDA assessment NC I) and Ships’ Catering NC III (for Ships’ Cooks, Training with Assessment) are among TESDA courses offered by SIMS, apart from those maritime training courses accredited by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

On-site

On October 12, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapena, DDG Lina Sarmiento, Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr., Manila Director Archie Grande, Director Juliet Orozco and Cynthia Gamos TESDA Rep. witnessed the actual conduct of training at the SIMS premises.

TESDA said, the face-to-face assessment under GCQ requires:

• Applicants must present overseas employment certificate (OEC) and employment contract to TESDA;
• Accredited Assessment Centers may only operate at 50%  site capacity; and
• Observe strict compliance to minimum public health standards and TESDA guidelines and consultation with local government units.

SIMS was also granted by TESDA on August 28, 2020 a Certificate of Recognition to conduct Ships Catering NCI for Messman. SIMS is an Accredited Training Center and approved by TESDA Central Office to conduct Flexible Learning Online.

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