COTABATO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao TESDA-ARMM announced today the availability of 4,600 scholarship slots for the entire region under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP).

During the Celebration of Independence Day for ARMM held at the ground of the Office of the Regional Governor here, TESDA-ARMM awarded 120 scholarships to poor but deserving beneficiaries of the PGSP as initial grantees.

The scholarship program, according to TESDA-ARMM Director Omar Shariff Jaafar, is intended for skills trainings in automotive mechanics, metals and engineering, construction, air conditioning and refrigeration, electronics, agriculture and fisheries, food processing, health and social development services, information and communication technology, driving and engine servicing, dressmaking and tailoring.

Aside from the PGSP, TESDA-ARMM is also offering regular scholarship program on Language Skills Training (LSI) in Arabic and English and TESDA Training Institutions (TTI).

There is also Balik-Buhay Scholarships (BBS) intended for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) being implemented in the conflict-affected provinces of Lanao Sur B, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Basilan.

According to Dhenhar Aming, TESDA-ARMM focal person for scholarship program, the BBS is intended to assist the out of school youth (OSY) IDPs find alternative livelihood skills to help them recover from the hardships caused by the conflict.

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan expressed satisfaction over the continuing support of the national government agencies to uplift the living condition of his constituents, adding that the scholarship program of the president will surely provide wider opportunities for the people to look for better jobs. (bpi-armm)