LTO, Tesda aim to raise drivers’ competency through standardized, more accessible lessons
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) are partnering to raise driver competency across the country by making driving lessons standardized and more accessible.
Reports from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) — LTO’s mother agency — showed LTO and Tesda signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday in an effort to strengthen driver education in the country, and make uniform standards for various driving schools.
According to LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, Tesda would be a big help in ensuring that drivers are properly trained before they get their licenses and move around.
“We have partnered with Tesda because we want to tap their expertise to ensure the quality of driver’s training being given by driving schools, the LTO and Tesda,” Galvante said in the statement.
“Sa partnership na ito, mas marami na ang ma-ooffer ng gobyerno na libreng driving courses para sa mga interesadong mag-avail ng driver’s training. Ito po ang sagot ng ating mga pamahalaan sa hiling ng publiko para sa dekalidad at murang training program para sa mga drivers,” he added.
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Article continues after this advertisementTESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña on the other hand said that a lot of industries in the country need safe drivers to push their businesses forward — thus stressing the need for proper training and guidance.
Article continues after this advertisement“Sa ating data from PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), isa sa mga pangangailangan sa labor market ay mga qualified drivers. As we transition to the new normal, kailangan ng mga drivers, ito ang constant na pangangailangan ng mga industries,” Lapeña said.
“And, we have regional offices who can reach out to those in need of the training. Libre po ito,” he added.
A 2019 study from ImagineLaw showed that road crashes in the Philippines cost around P105.7 billion every year — P5.7 billion for medical expenses and P100 billion for income opportunities lost due to these accidents.
A separate data from the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group also noted that most of the accidents recorded from January to September 2019 happened because of human factor.
READ: Cost of road crashes in PH: P105.7B every year
READ: ‘Human factor’ main cause of road crashes in 2019 – PNP-HPG
