MANILA, Philippines - TVET. TSTP. President Aquino could not contain his laugher as he poked fun at these acronyms referring to programs under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Aquino had difficulty pronouncing the letters many times in his speech, saying he would need a glossary to decode the meaning of these acronyms.

Aquino led the launch of TESDA's TSTP or TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program. Aquino handed tool kits containing plumbing tools, electronic repair tools, and beauty care kits to respective certified workers called "specialistas" to help generate sources of livelihood.

TVET refers to the Technical, Vocational and Educational Training program of the TESDA that provides training on technical and vocational skills.

"Napakadali hong bigkasin nun. Marami tayong maaakit sa programang ‘yan," Aquino adlibbed in the middle of his speech.

"Kailangan pa natin ng glossary ‘pag dating ng panahon,” Aquino quipped, laughing. He then had a fit of cough that he had to reach for a glass of water.

Aquino challenged the "specialistas" and graduates of TESDA’s training program to promote the programs using the acronyms.

"Kayo hong mga unang graduate ang mga inaasahan nating mangangampanya para dumami ang sumama dun sa TVET at TSTP. At ipaliwanag nyo na rin po nyo kung ano ang TVET, TSTP (laughs). Nawawala ho tayo dito bigla. 'Graduate po ako ng TVET.’ Kako veterinary medicine siguro ‘yan (laughs) Anyway po… (laughs),” Aquino said.

"Gusto kong mapanuod yung unang mag-akit kung paano nya pagandahain si TVET kasama si TSTP," he said.

"Sa ipinapamalas na sipag at dedikasyon ng lahat ng kawani ng TESDA, kumpiyansa akong maaabot natin ang target ninyong magdagdag pa dito ng mahigit limang libong—eto na naman po sya—TVET graduates ngayong 2012 (laughs). Mahirap po talagang magsalita ng nag-uumpisa sa letrang 'T,'"Aquino said, laughing again.

The audience laughed and cheered as the President paused and laughed every time he encountered the acronym.

"Kaakibat ng pagdiriwang natin ngayon ang pagkakaloob ng mga tool kits sa mga benepisyaryo ng TSTP," Aquino trailed off as he paused to laugh. "Ang lapit pa naman ho natin sa Valentine's, baka akala nila konektado ang TSTP sa Valentine's."

Aquino then asked the "specialistas" who have found sources of income to pay the right taxes, taking a swipe at Chief Justice Renato Corona’s refusal to present details of his alleged dollar accounts before the Senate impeachment court.

"Palagay ko maasahan pa nating magbabayad kayo ng tamang buwis at hindi niyo kailangan ng dollar account," Aquino said. "Dahil sa Pilipinas na kayo nagta-trabaho."

Aquino lauded TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva for instituting reforms in the agency. The agency—under the previous administration— was alleged to have distributed more the P2 billion worth of scholarship vouchers despite the absence of funds.

TESDA also received a ISO 9001-2008 certificate on Friday.

"Sa pamumuno ni Secretary Joel Villanueva, bigay-todo sa pagseserbisyo-publiko ang TESDA upang mas maraming Pilipino ang mabigyan ng kakayahang makaahon sa kahirapan, at mapaunlad ang kabuhayan. Tiwala tayong sa liderato ni Secretary Villanueva, walang wang-wang sa TESDA: walang manlalamang, at walang perang mapupunta sa mga walang kabuluhang programa," Aquino said.