PPSAT History

The Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trades is the only TESDA Technology Institution (TTI) in the city of Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan. It was formerly known as the Puerto Princesa School for Philippine Craftsmen (PPSPC) through RA No. 4027 on June 18, 1964. Eight years later, PPSPC started its full operation on February 7, 1972 at Barangay San Miguel, this City.

 The school initially offered programs in secondary technical vocational education under the administration and supervision of the Bureau of Technical Vocational Education of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports Regional Office IV. Short-term skills training programs were conducted in the different municipalities of Palawan in coordination with the National Manpower and Youth Council.

 On June 26, 1972, the city government donated an 8-hectare lot in Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa which became the main campus. After some time, the expansion was manifested by the opening of a school branch in Magara, Roxas, Palawan which was named Magara School for Philippine Craftsmen.

After 17 years, PPSPC was integrated with Palawan National School known as Palawan Integrated National School (PINS) but school officials, however, worked out for the separation of PPSPC from PINS. Eventually, RA 7928 formally separated PPSPC from PINS and elevated the same into a collegiate level known as PUERTO PRINCESA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES (PPSAT).  From then on, PPSAT started to offer technical-vocational programs.

 From 1995 to 2002, seven (7) 2-year program were offered such as: Building Construction Technology; Furniture and Cabinet Making; Electronics Technology; Welding and Fabrication Technology; Apparel Technology, Small and Medium Scale Business Management; Metals and Engineering Technology and Electrical Technology.

 In 2003, PPSAT had been identified as one of the 41 Centers of Technical Excellence (CenTex) in the country and became one of the beneficiaries of the Technical Education Skills Development (TESD) Project funded by the Asian Development Bank (SDB). The fund improved the facilities and equipment of the institution. More curricular offerings registered under the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) were added to its offerings.

PPSAT extended its services under the community extension programs; it conducts short-term courses and training to the community, like in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), both Palawan and Puerto Princesa jails. Training given to inmates assisted them in their rehabilitation, acquisition of skills, and improvement of their living conditions while inside the jail and make them productive citizens of society.

The school is a TESDA accredited assessment center and venue for a range of programs and qualifications. It conducts national assessment among trainees from technical-vocational institutions, as well as out-of-school youth (OSYs) and employable adults who are qualified for the activity.

 On July, 2008, PPSAT became a regional site for Language Skills Institute to offer five (5) languages and culture courses such as Korean Language and Culture Course, Japanese language and culture

 (Nihonggo), Arabic language and culture, Chinese language and culture (Mandarin) and Computer-based English Proficiency course.

 In CY 2009, more than two thousand trainees were benefited by the Pangulong Gloria scholarship programs (PGS). The scholarship program paved the way for the institution to progress in terms of physical development, information technology enrichment and more employees were sent to diverse trainings/seminars. In 2010, scholarships were discontinued. However, the school sustained the “no collection policy’’ where the school operates on a very limited resource, the monthly MOOE. Nevertheless, in spite of the meager allotment, targets were met and accomplished.

 Conversely, in 2011 the collection policy was reinstated due to the expiry of the PGS program. Corollary to this event, the school find difficulty in maintaining its facilities and other operational expenditures. Thus, the school resorted to collecting training fees again.

 The visit of Secretary Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, TESDA Director General on May 19, 2011 was significant, for it bring back vigor and enthusiasm to the faculty and administrative staff.

 The school officials and employees worked hand in hand for the accreditation with Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC). On June 16-17, 2011, the first evaluation visit of APACC team was conducted. School facilities/equipment, faculty profile, curriculum, financial management, teaching and learning processes were scrutinized by the team. On December 2, 2011, Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, APACC President awarded the Bronze Level accreditation status to PPSAT.

On August 30, 2012, PPSAT signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Malampaya Foundation Incorporated, (MFI-Palawan) for Bridging Employment through Skills Training (BEST) program.

PPSAT strengthened partnership with MFI resulting to the donation the 1 unit two-storey dormitory building. This two-storey dormitory building (72-bed capacity) was inaugurated in Dec. 20, 2013.

 In 2013, the institution registered the following programs: 

• Massage Therapy NC II
• Tour Guiding NC II
• Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III
• Food and Beverage Services NC III

 The re-registration of the school  as  assessment  venue  for  22  programs  was approved by the TESDA-Provincial Office.

 PPSAT was re-evaluated for the second round by APACC on February 26 and 27, 2014. The school was awarded Silver Level Accreditation Status on March 10, 2014.

 On April 15, 2015, the 10M worth MFI dormitory was formally turned over to PPSAT management.

Sec Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General visited PPSAT for the second time on June 29, 2015. His presence inspired the trainees and trainers of the Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) in the city of Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan.

 PPSAT was blessed with Scholarship Programs in 2016, like Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), Bottom-Up-Budgeting (BUB), Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) – CO & RO Allocation (TWSP- Tatak TESDA Award), Magdalo Party List, El Niño Projects and other local scholarships. The savings sourced from the scholarship funds helped the school to purchase tools, and equipment and upgrade its physical and Information Technology facilities.

On February 2017 the school was awarded a 2 – STAR Rating for Food and Beverage Services NC II. Similarly, on February 8, 2017, PPSAT is lucky to have been visited by TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong. He allotted funds for the construction of another two-storey dormitory building to accommodate 200 trainees/beds. This dormitory building shall be built thru Training Cum Production scheme before the end of 2017. The ground-breaking ceremony for the 2- storey dormitory initiated by Sec. Mamondiong was conducted on March 23, 2017, with the presence of Regional Director Carlos C. Flores, Provincial Director Renato M. Pantaleon and local officials of the City of Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan.

The school again applied for accreditation with APACC for the third round of evaluation on April 5-6, 2017. Fortuitously, it was awarded the Gold Level accreditation status on May 11, 2017. From then on, the faculty and staff worked hand in hand to sustain the award by complying the recommendation of the APACC accreditors for continuous improvement. More facilities had been added such as the new library, dressmaking room, student center, sets of computer and other physical structures.

On August 2017, PPSAT participated in the TAGSANAY AWARD represented by Ms. Rebecca A. Edaño, one of the faculty members of this institution.  She had overcome the first and second round of grueling activities and become one of the finalists (Top 8) in the final round.

In 2018, anent the directives of TESDA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña, PPSAT registered two (2) NC III programs; Food and Beverage Services and Electrical Installation and Maintenance. aside from these two program there were three (3) more programs registered.

On November 20, 2018, PPSAT launched the ceremonial plating of vegetables in its newly opened the Organic farm attended by all the trainees, employees and staff from TESDA provincial Office. The farm was installed with the assistance of the OIC – Ms. Maria Generosa Onde Department of Agriculture – Palawan Agricultural Center (PAC) and with the supervision of Ms Mila S. Cacal, chief of Palawan Research Experimental Station (PRES). These agencies not only provided seeds/seedlings and farm implements but provided agricultural experts/technicians who trained trainers in raising organic plants, and showed techniques and systems related to organic farming.

On November 11, 2019 the Agricultural Crop Production NC II program was registered

 In 2019, the institution registered additional programs like Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I, Driving NC II, Agricultural Crops Production NC II. It also complies re- registration of other programs, as well as the requirements as Assessment Center in all program it offers.

Before the end of second quarter of 2019, in accordance with TESDA Circular Number 49 series of 2019, TESDA Technology Institution (TTI) Advisory Council of PPSAT was created Members of the council was awarded with the certificate of approval on February 20, 2020.

 In respond to the situation due to pandemic, PPSAT added modality to most of its program offered to cope with the limited provision of face to face delivery and on August 25, 2020, PPSAT launched the Flexible Learning delivery using the combination of face to face and distance learning in all programs.

and advise and coaching from land preparation, preparation of organic fertilizer care and maintenance of the farm to harvest and post-harvest techniques. The farm was already operational before agriculture related program was registered. It was followed by the backyard gardening program.

In 2019, the institution registered additional programs like Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I, Driving NC II, Agricultural Crops Production NC II. It also complies re- registration of other programs, as well as the requirements as Assessment Center in all program it offers.

Before the end of second quarter of 2019, in accordance with TESDA Circular Number 49 series of 2019, TESDA Technology Institution (TTI) Advisory Council of PPSAT was created Members of the council was awarded with the certificate of approval on February 20, 2020.

In response to the situation due to pandemic, PPSAT added modality to most of its program offered to cope with the limited provision of face to face delivery and on August 25, 2020, PPSAT launched the Flexible Learning delivery using the combination of face to face and distance learning in all programs.