MANILA - Amid the Luzon lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) offered Thursday its online courses that people can take advantage of while in their respective homes.

"They can choose from courses that are applicable sa kanilang mga kabahayan, at kanilang pamilya (for their homes, and their families). They can use it also even after itong period ng coronavirus (the period of coronavirus)," TESDA director general Isidro Lapeña told ANC.

Because of restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, including limiting travel and transportation and maintaining physical distancing, the agency's training classes were suspended, while online courses were given more focus.

"This is something productive that (our countrymen) can make use of," Lapeña said of the TESDA online program.

Lapeña said TESDA has 68 online courses, categorized in several sectors, from which applicants can choose.

These include courses in agriculture, automotive, electrical and electronics, entrepreneurship, human health or health care, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, information and communication technology, lifelong learning skills, maritime, processed food and beverages, social community development and other services, technical and vocational education and training, tourism, and 21st Century skills.

Lapeña said at least 1,800 people have applied for these online courses.

Those enrolled are given online tests and quizzes until they receive a certificate of completion. But the required assessment will be available for them once the lockdown is lifted.

"Once they go and do the assessment and they pass, they can be issued a national certificate," Lapeña said.

The month-long Luzon-wide lockdown began March 17.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has 2,633 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 107 fatalities and 51 recoveries.