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House Bill No, 4487
AN ACT CREATING A DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA)
IN 1°" LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO TO BE

ESTABLISHED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POLOMOLOK, SOUTH
COTABATO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ISIDRO D. LUMAYAG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the creation of a Technical Education and Skills
Authority (TESDA) District Office for the 1* Legislative District of South
Cotabato and to be established in the Municipality of Polomolok, South
Cotabato.

Through Republic Act No. 11243, the 1* District of South Cotabato was
reapportioned in 2019 thereby separating/creating the Lone Legislative
District of General Santos City. As a result thereof, the Ist District of South
Cotabato is now reduced to the Municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi, and
Tampakan.

Prior to the reapportionment, local residents of Polomolok, Tupi, and
Tampakan who intended to avail of TESDA services, trainings and programs
need to travel to TESDA Offices located outside the District. This is not only
inconvenient and time consuming for them, but also entailed additional cost.
The establishment of a TESDA District Office in Polomolok, South Cotabato
will therefore make TESDA services and trainings more accessible to the local
constituency.


The 1* District of South Cotabato likewise host Dole Philippines Inc.,
the largest pineapple producer in the world, and many agro-based industries.
These industries, together with their allied enterprises, are constantly in need
of highly skilled workers, machine operators, professional drivers, industrial
workers, agro-based technicians, and other related service providers. The
establishment of a TESDA District Office in this jurisdiction is not only
strategic due to the presence of these industries, but is highly beneficial for the
local residents and ultimately to local growth and development.

Accordingly, the Municipality of Polomolok is a first-class suburban
municipality. It is the biggest municipality in the 1* District of South
Cotabato, and even of the entire South Cotabato Province. It ranked 9 Overall
Most Competitive Municipality and 4" in the Economic Dynamism Pillar in
the Philippines. It is economically developed and is becoming a center for
commerce and industry in Region 12. It is also highly accessible through its
established road network. Polomolok, South Cotabato, as a site for the TESDA
District Office, is therefore ideal and administratively practicable.

Finally, local residents of the 1* District of South Cotabato, especially
those coming from low-income families, will be able to avail TESDA services
right at their doorstep. In the end, the vocational skills training shall help them
seek practicable livelihood and gainful employment within the locality and
elsewhere.

Hence, the approval of this measure is highly recommended.

ISIDRO D.|LYMAYAG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

* House Bill No4487
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ISIDRO D. LUMAYAG

AN ACT CREATING A DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA)
IN 1ST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO TO BE
ESTABLISHED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POLOMOLOK, SOUTH
COTABATO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. A regular District Office of the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is hereby created in the 1ST
Legislative District of South Cotabato to be established in the Municipality of
Polomolok, South Cotabato, and to be known as the “TESDA Polomolok
District Office”.

SECTION 2. The Secretary General of TESDA shall immediately
include in the Authority’s program the operationalization of the TESDA
Polomolok District Office, the initial funding of which shall be charged
against the current year’s appropriation of the existing provincial office.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operations of the
regular TESDA district office shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. The Secretary General of TESDA shall issue such rules
and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.


SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette, or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,