Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ----
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The latest data from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology shows that as 
of September 30, 2022, 131,311 persons are currently sentence and detained in its 4 77 
facilities.1 More than 90 percent of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) population 
have ages between 18 to 59 years old.2 This is in addition to the 49,515 PDLs in the 
Bureau of Corrections' prisons and prison farms, as of September 2022.3
While there are several non-government organizations that offer free vocational 
and -livelihood assistance to PDLs, there is a need for the institutionalization of these 
vocational skills training and livelihood programs to cater to these inmates, to such 
extent that they may be empowered to be productive members of society upon their 
release from imprisonment. For this reason, the proposed measure seeks to 
institutionalize a skills training program for inmates in the Philippines through the joint 
effort of the various government agencies, e.g., Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of 
Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Justice (DOJ). The creation of a 
livelihood assistance program i.e., job matching and livelihood creation, is also 
designed to aid ex-PDLs who would like to start their life anew. 
A similar bill was filed in the 18th Congress by Rep. Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" 
Villanueva, and the present proponent is acknowledging the wisdom and hard work of 
his predecessors. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
JOSEP 
1 https://www.bjmp.gov.ph/images/ data_ and_stats/09-30-22/BJ MP _Actual _PDL_ Population_ -_sep _ 2022.png
2 https://www.bjmp.gov.ph/images/data_and_stats/09-30-22/PDL_Age_Bracket_-_sep_2022.png
3 https://bucor .gov. ph/wp-content/u ploads/2022/10/P DL-Profile-10182022 .pdf
July 24, 2024
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM AND PROVIDING 
JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO INMATES IN DETENTION FACILITIES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Skills Training for Inmates 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Institutionalization of Skills Training Program for Inmates. – The 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of 
Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department 
of Justice (DOJ) shall establish skills training program for all inmates in the Philippines. 
In addition, a Job Search and Livelihood Assistance Desk shall be established inside 
prisons to help ex-offenders create sustainable employment once they are released from 
prison. 
SECTION 3. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be sourced from the current budgets of TESDA, DepEd, DOLE and DOJ. 
Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the TESDA, DepEd, DOLE and DOJ, in consultation with 
relevant stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,