The concept of integrating the TESDA Technology Institutions into one system was sparked from the meeting among the former Executive Director of the Office for TESDA Technology Institutions Francisco Jucar Jr. and selected Vocational School/ Center Administrators in 2013 given the remark of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of the approved the TESDA Rationalization Plan. The DBM commented that “TESDA should refrain from undertaking direct training programs and transfer the Regional Training Centers (RTC) and Provincial Training Centers (PTC) functions and facilities to the TESDA Administered Schools (TAS) and adopt a deliberate but phased strategy to devolve the 57 technical schools to fully comply with the pertinent provisions of the TESDA Law”. It required TESDA to submit a counter plan for the TTIs within the next three years.

Other timely challenges that pushed for the establishment of CSITE are the concern for the TTIs’ capacity for higher TESD given the implementation of the Philippine Qualification Framework; the strategic direction provided in the National TESD Plan 2011-2016; and the mobility of workers brought by the ASEAN integration starting in 2015.

In 2014, the former Vocational School Administrator David B. Bungallon of the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (CSITE MAIN) prepared a Public Policy Paper during his schooling at the Development Academy of the Philippines entitled, “The Proposed Integration of the TESDA-CAR Technology Institutions into One System towards a Higher Institute of Technology or Polytechnic Institute”.

 

The Policy Paper then became the reference in pursuing the proposed CSITE. It was modeled from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) of Singapore, now a global TVET leader. ITE Singapore’s historical milestone, strategic development, operational system, and governing structure have become the model for the Institute. It was also inspired by the region’s aspiration for a Cordillera Autonomy. It was moved with the vision of the first regional State Institute in the country.

Initiation and Coordination Process

On July 1, 2014, the concept paper was presented to the Regional Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (RTESDC) and was strongly supported and endorsed to the TESDA CENTRAL Office through RTESDC Resolution No. 3 s of 2014.

The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsed the proposed integration of the TESDA Technology Institutions into one-system Cordillera State Institute of Technology to the TESDA Central Office on October 8, 2014.

The concept paper was initially submitted to the TESDA Central Office through the TESDA Regional Office in June 2015 for comment and appropriate action.

The proposed CSITE was initially presented to Honorable Nicacio Aliping Jr., Representative of the Lone District of Baguio. He sponsored House Bill 6213, An Act establishing the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education in September 2015, but was not pursued due to the end of the 16 ^th Congress and a change in leadership for the 17 ^th Congress.

In October 2015, TESDA Central provided legal statements that expressed no serious objection to the proposal and agreed to the advantages of establishing the CSITE.

The Director General, Secretary Irene M. Isaac favorably endorsed the proposed CSITE

To ensure ready support from stakeholders, a series of consultations were spearheaded. On February 26, 2016, consultation with parents, teachers, and students was conducted at the Baguio City School of Arts and Trade. Consultation with partners and stakeholders was simultaneously conducted on February 29, 2016, at TESDA-Abra and TESDA-Mt. Province Provincial Training Centers. The consultations generated support from the public

In July 2016, the same proposal was presented to Honorable Marquez O. Go, the newly elected Representative of the Lone District of Baguio, who sponsored House Bill 2141, An Act Repealing Republic Act 7834 and Establishing the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE), Integrating for the Purpose the TESDA – CAR Technology Institutions. It was co-sponsored by all Congressmen of the Cordillera Region and prominent Congressmen in the country

House Bill 2141 was substituted with House Bill 7264, An Act Establishing the Cordillera State Polytechnic Skills Institute, and was swiftly passed on 3 ^rd Reading in October 2018 with the co-sponsorship of Representative Nograles, House Committee Chairman on Appropriations and Representative Ann Hofer, House Committee Chairman on Higher Education. 

The Senate passed House Bill 7264 in November 2018 under the sponsorship of Senator Francis G. Escudero.

Finally, the dream of a Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education is realized with the signing of RA11192 by President Duterte on January 18, 2019.

A regional Technical Working Group was created to draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations and submitted the draft to the Central Office in March 2019

A meeting between the TESDA-CAR group and NITESD, representatives from the Legal Office, and HRMD facilitated and enhanced the draft IRR on June 3-4, 2019.

The public consultation on the draft IRR was conducted with the attendance of Congressman GO, LGUs, National Line Agencies, TVIs, and media on June 26, 2019.

The operation of the Institute was formally launched on September 9, 2022

An Interim Executive Director was designated by virtue of TESDA Order 550 dated September 9, 2022.