MANILA — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) has called on the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to tighten transparency and improve targeting in its scholarship programs, citing leakages, weak beneficiary selection, and limited monitoring despite significant budget increases.

In its final report titled “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform,” the commission noted that scholarship allocations have grown substantially over the past decade, expanding from 24 percent of TESDA’s total budget to as much as 75 to 80 percent in recent years. Funding rose from P700 million in 2010 to P13.1 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

The surge in allocations followed the implementation of the Special Training for Employment Program in 2014 and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in 2019.

Despite the higher spending, EDCOM II reported a drop in the effective targeting of disadvantaged beneficiaries from 2018 to 2022. Citing a study by Christopher Chua conducted through the EDCOM 2-Ateneo Fellowship, the commission raised concerns over possible politicization in scholarship distribution. Respondents in the study indicated that access to slots often hinges on connections rather than merit.

The report also pointed to congressional insertions that earmark funds for particular districts or preferred institutions, which were identified during hearings as a recurring source of concern within the sector.

EDCOM II Co-Chairperson Senator Loren Legarda underscored the need to refocus scholarship funding on social equity.

“The studies reveal a disturbing trend where the very people who need these scholarships the most are being pushed to the sidelines. We cannot allow public funds intended for the marginalized to be diverted due to weak targeting or political expediency. We must restore the equity focus of our TVET programs to ensure that skills training becomes a genuine ladder to employment for the poorest Filipinos,” Senator Legarda stated.

Co-Chair Rep. Jude Acidre likewise criticized what he described as the politicization of scholarship allocations.

“It is deeply concerning that while our budget for scholarships has grown nearly twenty-fold, our ability to reach the most disadvantaged scholars has actually declined. We cannot allow a system where access to skills training depends on ‘connections rather than qualifications,’ or where funds are diverted to low-level courses that do not lead to gainful employment. We must urgently adopt the Commission’s recommendation for a needs-based allocation system to ensure that these public funds are shielded from political patronage and are truly invested in the future of the Filipino workforce”, Acidre said.

The commission further observed that weak allocation strategies have led to a concentration of training in lower-level qualifications. Data showed that 93 percent of TESDA graduates complete only National Certificate I and II programs, with courses such as Driving and Bread and Pastry Production drawing the bulk of enrollees.

The report also noted sustainability issues faced by private Technical-Vocational Institutions, as subsidized offerings in public institutions often draw away students, resulting in inefficiencies in voucher use.

EDCOM II Commissioner Senator Joel Villanueva, a former TESDA Director General, said increased funding must be aligned with labor market demand and accountability.

“As we continue to increase the budget for technical vocational education and training, we must prioritize the core needs of our kababayans in keeping up with the demand of the industries. Every peso allocated for scholarships must result in a skilled Filipino landing a decent job and lead a better life for themselves and their families,” Senator Villanueva said.

To address the issues raised, EDCOM II recommended that TESDA undertake a comprehensive review of its scholarship programs to ensure equity, responsiveness, and long-term viability. The commission proposed adopting quota- or needs-based allocation systems, prioritizing high-poverty provinces, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and underserved institutions.

It also urged regular adjustments of scholarship voucher values to reflect inflation and actual training costs, as well as improvements in digital data systems to better track trainee progress and employment outcomes, enabling funding decisions to be based on measurable results.