Manila: The data-sharing agreement between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) will open wider opportunities for the employment and career growth of senior high school (SHS) students under the technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) track.

According to Philippines News Agency, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stated that the partnership ensures no delays for SHS-TVL learners in accessing TESDA's assessments and services. With expedited and accurate certification processes, graduates are better positioned to pursue employment or further education, providing them with an advantageous start.

Romualdez highlighted that the integration of TESDA's Assessment Schedules Information System (ASIS) with DepEd's Learners Information System (LIS) will alleviate scheduling and validation issues, ensuring prompt assessment and certification for SHS-TVL students.

Romualdez elaborated on the benefits of the agreement, emphasizing the efficient process for TVL learners to obtain TESDA certification, which will be crucial for securing employment or continuing higher education. The statement followed the signing of the agreement by TESDA Secretary Francisco Benitez and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara to integrate their databases for TVL learners nationwide.

Romualdez also noted the steps taken to ensure data privacy, with both agencies appointing data protection officers and enacting stringent safeguards, including encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect student data.

He underscored the importance of digital transformation while prioritizing data security. Romualdez reiterated the House of Representatives' support for enhancing technical-vocational education in alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision to transform the education system, ensuring every Filipino family has at least one college or technical-vocational graduate.

For 2026, TESDA's proposed PHP19.96-billion budget under the National Expenditure Program allocates PHP18.39 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Program. An additional PHP505.906 million is designated for the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of assessment and certification systems, with PHP348.721 million specifically for the assessment of SHS learners for national certification.