TAGUIG  CITY -- Face-to-face classes in training centers and conduct of competency assessment in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been suspended anew, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) recommendation to place National Capital region (NCR) under ECQ from August 6-20.

In a memorandum, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña ordered all TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs) and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) to suspend face-to-face classes and assessments in Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified ECQ (MECQ) areas.

“In accordance with the IATF and TESDA guidelines, the face-to-face training and assessment in areas under [ECQ] and [MECQ] shall be suspended while the ECQ/MECQ status is in effect,” Lapeña said.

However, competency assessment for Domestic Work NC II conducted by TTIs shall continue in areas placed under MECQ and other lower quarantine levels.

Lapeña encouraged the affected TVIs and Assessment Centers (ACs) to shift to online and virtual modes in the conduct of training and assessment during this period.

Meanwhile, Lapeña reminded all Regional and Provincial Offices to strictly monitor and enforce the compliance of all TVIs and ACs to the protocols and guidelines issued by the IATF, TESDA, and by their respective local government units (LGUs).

TESDA earlier allowed face-to-face training and assessment in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) subject to compliance to the minimum public health standards, training/health protocols, and coordination with LGUs. (TESDA)