EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)))
SENATE
’19 JUL 16 P2-43
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMM AM EL D. PACQUIA
ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY (TESDA) MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (MDI) IN 
SOCCSKSARGEN REGION, AND APPROPRJATING EUNDS THEREEOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was primarily 
created to provide relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills 
development in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower 
responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities.
In the fulfillment of TESDA's mandate, it established three (3) TESDA training centers 
in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Despite this, its presence is still not enough to accommodate 
more of its youth population, especially the out-of-school youth. The Philippine Statistics 
Authority (PSA) reports that the unemployment rate of Region XII accounts to 3.8% with 
imderemployment rate of 17.9%.
Meanwhile, the construction sector has been one of the largest employment generators 
in the country. For 2017-2022, the Philippine Construction Industry is targeted to grow at a 
very fast pace under the Build Build Build Program of the government which aims to accelerate 
infrastructure development translating into multiplier economic effects.
The lack of regional training center and the lack of training capability to empower the 
youth population to respond with the growing opportunities in the region must be acted with 
the creation of TESDA Manpower Development Institute (MDI) in the region.
In this regard, this bill seeks to expand the coverage of I'ESDA programs by creating a 
TESDA Training Institute in SOCCSKSARGEN Region to address the lack in training centers 
and enhance the quality of manpower in the Region and the neighboring provinces.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sou
EMMANUEL I). PACQUIAO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
f • 
:
SENATE 
t-c:
S.B. No.
\J U I
'19 
JUL 16 P2--44
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUELi.R. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY (TESDA) MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (MDI) IN 
SOCCSKSARGEN REGION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. TESDA Manpower and Development Institute (MDI). -  There shall be an 
established Technological Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Manpower 
Development Institute (MDI) in the SOCCSKSARGEN or Region XII under the control and 
supervision of the TESDA.
The MDI is a TESDA Regional Training Center which is responsive to the agency’s 
mandate and to the current Build Build Build program of the government. It will be a premier 
Construction Training Center in the Philippines making Construction as its Center of 
Excellence. It will provide a set of qualifications under the construction sector and its related 
standards. The Institute will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for construction.
Section 2. General Mandate. -  The TESDA-MDI shall provide technical-vocational 
training and skills development programs to students from low-income families and to out-of­
school youths in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region and its neighboring provinces. It shall mold 
the students to become productive, self-reliant, and globally-competitive middle-level 
manpower, responsive to and in accordance with Philippine Development Goals and Priorities, 
in order to boost the socio-economic development of the Region and to competently meet the 
demands of local and international labor markets.
The TESDA-MDI shall also serve as regional competency assessment center for the 
construction sector and related courses in the whole SOCCSKSARGEN Region. In 
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), it shall render when necessary and 
practicable, teacher’s capability building programs and curriculum design technical assistance 
to the secondary schools in the Region offering technical-vocational and livelihood track and 
under the K-12 Program from DepEd.
Section 3. Curricular Offerings. -  The TESDA-MDI shall address the skills 
development priorities of the SOCCSKSARGEN Region focusing on construction sector and 
related qualifications. It shall also offer Diploma programs and other short-term courses in 
preferred market-driven and relevant technical-vocational courses or qualifications within its 
areas of specialization in consultation with the Department of Labor and and Employment


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(DOLE), the Local Government Units (LGUs), the industries and such other relevant agencies, 
both local and international.
The TESDA-MDl is committed in providing quality technical education relevant to the 
needs of the community and industry focusing on the construction sector in accordance with 
the agency’s standards on curriculum development and program registration. This can be 
achieved through providing quality facilities that meet the industry standards, providing 
adequate resources for the trainers and students and enhancing the facilities to support studies, 
disciplines and activities for students and training staff Since the agency is providing technical- 
vocational and educational training for global competitiveness, the institute will provide 
programs aligned with the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF).
The TESDA-MDl may likewise establish research and development centers, mobile 
training programs, satellite offices throughout the SOCCSKSARGEN Region to strengthen 
linkages between the industry, academe, and the technology programs.
Section 4. Site. -  The TESDA Manpower Development Institute shall be established 
in the municipality of Alabel, pursuant to the mutual agreement between TESDA and the Local 
Government Unit of Alabel, Sarangani Province.
Section 5. Organizational Structure and Staffing Program. -  The TESDA Manpower 
Development Institute shall adopt the organizational structure and staffing pattern of a TESDA 
Regional Training Center in accordance with the existing guidelines of the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Section 6. Appropriations. 
-  An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos 
(Php 100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the 
amount necessary for the funding of the TESDA-MDl shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act as a separate line item budget under TESDA.
Section 7. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining part of provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
force.
Section. 8. Repealing Clause. -  All existing laws or parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section. 9. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved.