Manila, June 3 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has condemned the reported violations on its apprenticeship program and is working with the Department of Labor and Employment to address it.

In a statement on Monday night, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez said the agency condemns any misuse of the program and is deeply concerned about the allegations against enterprises, particularly JBC Food Corporation.

"The unauthorized use of our program's name to justify paying workers below the minimum wage is unacceptable and contrary to our mandate of promoting fair and ethical skills development," TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez said.

The statement was issued after Senator Raffy Tulfo, in a privil...