TESDA scholars credit President Marcos’ programs for opening new career opportunities ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, August 7, 2026

TESDA scholars credit President Marcos’ programs for opening new career opportunities

Friday, August 07, 2026 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

From the Website of the President

and Government Media Offices

links: http://president.gov.ph/
Article Links: https://pco.gov.ph/news-releases/

http://www.pna.gov.ph/

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TESDA scholars credit President Marcos’ programs for opening new career opportunities

Several graduate-beneficiaries of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for expanding access to technical and language training, which equipped them with new skills and renewed hope for better employment opportunities in the Philippines and abroad.

President Marcos graced the TESDA Ilocos Norte National Certification Level 2 (NC2) mass graduation held at the Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium, Nuestra Señora del Rosario Poblacion, Laoag City.

Marie Viorge, 24, of Ilocos Norte, completed the TESDA Japanese Language and Culture course. Although she is currently unemployed, the recent civil engineering graduate hopes to combine her engineering background with her Japanese language skills to secure employment opportunities in Japan.

“I would like to thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the TESDA program for providing me the opportunity to be able to study Japanese. Thank you for the allowance. And for me to be able to take another job option. And for me to get another job and to be able to help my family,” said Viorge in an interview with the Presidential News Desk (PND).

She considers the TESDA Japanese Language and Culture course a valuable addition to her credentials. A recent Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering graduate, she also has prior training in the Chinese language, further strengthening her qualifications for overseas employment.

“Nabigyan po ako ng opportunity to study Japanese. If possible po, ma-integrate ko yun civil engineering course ko with Japanese language and culture. Pang-dagdag sa resume. Hoping for job offers overseas, para magkaroon ng opportunity mag-work sa Japan,” said Viorge. “Sila (parents) ang nagpalaki sa akin. So gusto ko naman na mabigyan ng opportunity para sa kanila,” said Viorge of her parents and sisters.

“I am always thankful for the opportunity na maibibigay sa akin. If possible, I will be looking for another course sa TESDA in the future,” said Viorge.

Learning additional skills is never too late for Edna Myrna Don, 62, as the opportunity was gained even after her retirement from abroad.

“We came from Yemen, and met my husband, a CPA, in Sana Island, in Yemen. Worked for 20 years there,” said Don. “I raised my children abroad. They came home to the Philippines during college.”

Don said she has a friend in Ilocos who has a Japanese school. Although she has no definite plans yet, one of her options is to hopefully teach in her friend’s school.

“Mr. President, I am really grateful that you are our elected President. My husband and I really love the programs. We are always looking into your programs. And we really love and support you. President Bongbong Marcos, thank you very much,” said Don.

Precious Pearl Roraldo, 49, employee of Far East Computer Technology, from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, said she earlier studied as a caregiver, then housekeeping.

She said she was once a full-time housewife but is now pursuing new opportunities for herself and her family. After completing her trainer’s course, she hopes to become a TESDA trainer and help equip others with skills for employment and livelihood.

“I thought wala na ako mapapasukan kasi may edad na po ako. I was also an OFW before in Dubai. Also took up trainor classes for TESDA. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay President Marcos and sa TESDA,” said Roraldo.

“At my age of 49, pwede pa rin ako magturo bilang trainor ng TESDA. I took up several classes,” Roraldo said. PND