NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRAINING 
AND CERTIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS, STRUCTURE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7796 or the Technical Education and Skills Education Act 
(TESDA) was passed into law in 1994. It was created to provide relevant, accessible, 
high quality and efficient technical education and skills development of the 
country’s human resources. Over the years, TESDA has established itself as the 
nation's leading source of labor in highly technical disciplines. The agency’s purpose 
was all the more highlighted during the pandemic when TESDA launched its 
TESDA Online Program (TOP) and  “TESDA Abot Lahat ang OFWs” program 
which aims to upskill and retool workers in order to recoup job losses.1 Nonetheless, 
the current system leaves much to be desired and it is evident that changes must be 
had in order to make technical and vocational education in our country more 
efficient. 
Thus, this bill seeks to create a Department of Technical Education Training 
and Certification, which will take the place and absorb the current TESDA with the 
end goal of providing more quality and accessible technical and vocational 
education for all. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren 
Legarda, this bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the 
reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 
1 https://www.tesda.gov.ph/News/Details/20026 
July 27, 2022
4:40 pm
2601


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRAINING 
AND CERTIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS, STRUCTURE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Technical Education, Training 
and Certification Act of 2022 " 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
provide relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education, training 
and certification in support of the development of high-quality Filipino manpower 
responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities. 
The State shall encourage active participation of various concerned sectors, 
public as well as private tech-voc institutions particularly private enterprises, being 
direct participants in and immediate beneficiaries of a technically educated and 
trained workforce, in providing technical education services and training 
opportunities. 
Sec. 3. Statement of Goals and Objectives. – It is the goal and objective of this Act 
to: 
a. Promote and strengthen the quality of technical education and training
programs to attain global competitiveness;
2601


 
2
b. Focus on technical education and training and certification on meeting the 
changing demands for quality manpower, particularly in support of the 
industrialization thrust of the country; 
c. Encourage critical and creative thinking by disseminating the scientific 
and technical knowledge base of manpower development programs; 
d. Recognize and encourage the complementary roles of public and private 
institutions in technical education and skills development and training 
systems;  
e. Inculcate desirable values through the development of moral character 
with emphasis on work ethic, self-discipline, self-reliance and nationalism. 
f. Strongly support the implementation of the Philippine Qualification 
Framework (E.O. 83), the Ladderized Education Program (R.A.10647) and 
the Dual Technical Training System (R.A. 7686). 
g. Maximize returns to the country’s investment in technical education and 
training through an efficient graduates’ employment facilitation program 
within the framework of the national employment service network 
system; 
h. Help in the poverty alleviation efforts by providing the marginalized and 
vulnerable segments of the country’s population access to income-
generating Technical Education and Training opportunities; 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a. Skill shall mean the acquired and practiced ability to carry out a task or 
job; 
b. Skills Development shall mean the process through which learners and 
workers are systematically provided with learning opportunities to 
acquire or upgrade, or both, their ability, knowledge, and behavior 
pattern required as qualifications for a job or range of jobs in a given 
occupational area; 
c. Technical Education shall refer to the education process designed at 
upper secondary and lower tertiary levels, aligned with the levels of 
the Philippine Qualification Framework, with the pathways to higher 


 
3
education through the credit transfer system based on learning 
outcomes 
aimed 
at 
preparing 
technicians, 
technologists, 
paraprofessionals 
and 
other 
categories 
of 
workers 
and/or 
entrepreneurs by providing them with a broad range of general 
education, theoretical, scientific and technological studies, and related 
job skills training; 
d. Trade shall mean any group of interrelated jobs or any occupation 
which is traditionally or officially recognized as craft or artisan in 
nature requiring specific qualifications that can be acquired through 
work experience and/or training; 
e. Middle-Level Manpower refers to those: 
1. who have acquired practical skills and knowledge through formal 
or non-formal education and training equivalent to at least a 
secondary education but preferably at post-secondary education 
with a corresponding degree of diploma; or 
2. skilled workers who have become highly competent in their trade 
or craft as attested by industry; 
f. Private Enterprises refers to an economic system under which property 
of all kinds can be privately owned and in which individuals, alone or 
in association with another, can embark on a business activity. This 
includes industrial, agricultural, or agro-industrial establishments 
engaged in the production, manufacturing, processing, repacking or 
assembly of goods including service-oriented enterprises; 
g. Training is teaching or developing oneself or others, any skills and 
knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies; 
h. Trainors/trainers shall mean persons who provide training to trainees 
aimed at developing the latter's capacities for imparting attitudes, 
knowledge, skills and behavior patterns required for specific jobs, 
tasks, occupations or group of related occupations. 


 
4
i. Trainees shall mean persons who are participants in a vocational, 
administrative or technical training program for the purpose of 
acquiring and developing job-related skills; 
j. Apprenticeship is training within employment with compulsory related 
theoretical instruction involving a contract between an apprentice and 
an employer on an approved apprenticeable occupation; 
k. Apprentice is a person undergoing training for an approved 
apprenticeable occupation during an apprenticeship agreement; 
l. Apprenticeship Agreement is a contract wherein a prospective employer 
binds himself to train the apprentice who in turn accepts the terms of 
training for a recognized apprenticeable occupation emphasizing the 
rights, duties and responsibilities of each party; 
m. Apprenticeable Occupation is an occupation officially endorsed by a 
tripartite body and approved for apprenticeable by the Authority; 
n. Learners refers to persons hired as trainees in semi-skilled and other 
industrial occupations, which are non-apprenticeable. Learnership 
programs must be approved by the Authority; 
o. User-Led or Market-Driven Strategy refers to a strategy which promotes 
strengthened linkages between educational/training institutions and 
industry to ensure that appropriate skills and knowledge are provided 
by the educational system; 
p. Dual System/Training refers to a delivery system of quality technical 
and vocational education which requires training to be carried out 
alternately in two venues: in-school and in the production plant. In- 
school training provides the trainee the theoretical foundation, basic 
training, guidance and human formation, while in-plant training 
develops his skills and proficiency in actual work conditions as it 
continues to inculcate personal discipline and work values; 
q. Levy Grant System refers to a legal contribution from participating 
employers who would be beneficiaries of the program (often as a 


 
5
percentage of the payroll), which is subsequently turned over or 
rebated to enterprises offering employee-training programs. 
r. Leading Technology Centers refers to public, private or jointly operated 
centers by government and private entities where advanced or latest 
training technologies are used for technical education and training in 
priority qualification areas; 
s. Philippine Qualifications Framework is a national policy describing the 
levels of educational qualifications and sets the standards for 
qualification outcomes. It is a quality assured national system for the 
development, recognition and award of qualifications based on 
standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways 
and methods by learners and workers of a certain country. It is 
likewise competency-based and labor market driven assessment- based 
qualification recognition.  
t. Ladderization is a new system of education in the Philippines that 
allows 
learners 
to 
progress 
between 
Technical 
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and College, and vice-
versa. Ladderized Education opens opportunities for career and 
educational advancement to students and workers. 
Sec. 5. Creation of Department of Technical Education Training and Certification. - 
To implement the policy declared in this Act, there is hereby created a Department 
of Technical Education and Training (DepTeTC), herein referred to as the 
Department which shall replace and absorb the TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND 
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA). 
Sec. 6. Mandate. - The Department shall be the primary policy, planning, 
coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the 
government that will plan develop and promote the  technical education, training 
and certification agenda. 
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions. - The Department shall exercise the following 
powers and functions: 


 
6
1. The Department shall primarily be responsible for formulating, 
continuing, coordinated and fully integrated technical education, 
training and certification policies, plans and programs taking into 
consideration the following: 
a. The State policy declared herein of giving new direction and thrusts 
to efforts in developing the quality of Filipino human resource 
through technical education and skills development; 
b. The implementation of the above-mentioned policy requires the 
coordination and operation of policies, plans, and programs of 
different concerned sectors of Philippine society; 
c. Equal participation of representatives of industry groups, trade 
associations, employers, workers and government shall be made 
the rule in order to ensure that urgent needs and recommendations 
are readily addressed; and 
d. Improved linkages between industry, labor and government and 
the communities shall be given priority in the formulation of any 
national-level plan and TETC delivery; 
e. The successful implementation of programs shall not only fill in the 
needs of the economy for middle level manpower but likewise lead 
to poverty alleviation; 
The Department, shall have the following powers: 
1. Promulgate, after due consultation with industry groups, trade 
associations, employers, workers, policies, plans, programs and 
guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act; 
2. Organize and constitute various standing committees, subsidiary 
groups, or technical working groups for efficient integration, 
coordination and monitoring technical education and skills 
development programs at the national, regional, and local levels; 
3. Enter into, make, execute, perform and carryout domestic and 
foreign contracts subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. 


 
7
4. Restructure the entire sub-sector consisting of all institutions and 
programs involved in the promotion and development of middle-
level manpower through upgrading, merger and/or phase-out 
following a user-led strategy; 
5. Approve 
training 
standards 
and 
assessment 
packages 
as 
established and conducted by private industries; 
6. Establish and administer a system of accreditation of both public 
and private institutions; 
7. Establish, develop and support institutions' trainors' training 
and/or programs; 
8. Exact reasonable fees and charges for such tests and trainings 
conducted and retain such earnings for its own use, subject to 
guidelines promulgated by the Department; 
9. Allocate resources for the programs and subjects it shall undertake 
pursuant to approved National Technical Education and Training 
Plan; 
10. Determine and approve systematic funding schemes such as the 
Levy and Grant scheme for technical education and training 
purposes; 
11. Create, when deemed necessary, an Advisory Committee which 
shall provide expert and technical advice to the Secretary to be 
chosen from the academe and the private sector: Provided, That in 
case the Advisory Committee is created, the Department is hereby 
authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for its 
operation; and 
12. Perform such other duties and functions necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act consistent with the purposes of the creation 
of DepTeTC. 
Sec. 8. Power to Review and Recommend Action. - The Department shall review 
and recommend action to concerned authorities on proposed technical assistance 
programs and grants-in-aid for technical education or Training, or both, including 


 
8
those which may be entered into between the Government of the Philippines and 
other nations, including international and foreign organizations, both here and 
abroad. 
Sec. 9. Composition. - The Department shall be headed by a Secretary composed of 
the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries and the Assistant 
Secretaries. 
Sec. 10. Secretary of Technical Education, Training and Certification. – The Secretary 
shall be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Commission 
on Appointments. The Secretary shall have the following functions: 
1. Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of the 
Department and its attached agencies; 
2. Establish policies standards for the effective and efficient delivery of the 
Department services, in line with the program of government; 
3. Review and approve requests for financial and manpower resources of All 
operating units of the Department; 
4. Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department, excluding 
the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Regional Directors, in 
accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations; 
5. Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the Department 
in accordance with law, including their investigation and the designation of a 
committee or officer to conduct such investigation: 
6. Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) an estimate of the necessary expenditures of the 
Department during the next fiscal year, on the basis of the reports and 
estimates submitted by bureaus and offices under him/her; 
7. Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative 
orders and formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters 
pertaining to Technical Education, Training and Certification development.  
8. Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers as may 
be required to implement the objectives of this Act: and 


 
9
9. Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
President. 
Sec. 11. Undersecretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by four (4) 
Undersecretaries, 
who 
shall 
be 
appointed 
by 
the 
President 
upon 
the 
recommendation of the Secretary. 
Sec. 12. Assistant Secretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by four (4) Assistant 
Secretaries who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the 
Secretary. 
Sec. 13. Bureaus and Services and Personnel. - The Department in addition to the 
offices of the Secretary, Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries shall be 
composed of the following Bureaus/Services to be headed by an Executive Director 
to be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. The 
Executive Directors shall have the rank and emoluments of a Director IV. 
Planning Bureau (P.B.) 
1. Designs and establishes planning processes and methodologies which will 
particularly enhance the efficiency of resource allocation decisions within 
the technical education and training sector; 
2. Orchestrates the formulation of the National Technical Education and 
Training Plan/Sectoral Plan/Regional/Provincial  and maintains annual 
periodic review and updating of the plans; 
3. Orchestrates legislative liaising and coordination; 
4. Maintains existing and establishes new frameworks to optimize the roles 
of the sub-national TET Committees; 
5. Conducts fora, researches, studies and develops labor and education and 
training market information and knowledge management systems for 
effective and efficient planning and policy making within the sector; 
6. Prepares and issues Labor Market Intelligence Reports (LMIR) on a 
regular basis; 
7. Conducts Impact Evaluation Studies (IES) of Technical Education Training 
and Certification programs; 


 
10
8. Initiates and mobilizes external TETC financing from local and 
international bodies in support of the broad investments and development 
programs under the NTETP and the corporate plan; 
9. Designs and develops special projects for foreign assistance; 
Partnerships and Employment Facilitation Bureau (PEFB) 
1. Establishes 
and 
maintains 
effective 
and 
efficient 
institutional 
arrangements with partners and stakeholders to provide direct 
participation in the various functions of the Department and access to 
TETC programs and services; 
2. Develops and implements placement schemes designed for the effective 
utilization of TET graduates either through wage and self-employment 
using partnership and linkages with various employers and industries 
within the framework of the national employment service network; 
3. Provides technical assistance and training support to the network of 
DepTETC employment facilitation centers all over the Country; 
4. Establishes and maintains linkages with industry groups, employers, 
workers, academe, civil society organizations/NGOs, NGAs, LGUs, basic 
sectors and national and international networks and organizations related 
to TE and T; 
5. Conducts studies on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and similar 
arrangements in aid of policy making; 
6. Engages partners/stakeholders in the identification and prioritization of 
the skills needs of the basic sectors for skills training and employment 
opportunities; 
7. Develops and administer systems and procedures in the monitoring and 
evaluation of programs related to partnerships, linkages and placement 
services; 
8. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Incentives and Scholarship Bureau 


 
11
1. Develops and implements incentive schemes and packages to encourage 
the participation of employers and workers in technical education and 
training in industry; 
2. Develops and implements scholarship and grant packages designed to 
provide access to the Department’s clientele particularly the unemployed, 
underemployed, the working poor and the marginalized; 
3. Develops and administer systems and procedures in the monitoring and 
evaluation 
of 
programs 
related 
to 
incentive 
and 
scholarship 
administration; 
4. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
National Institute for Technical Education and Training (NITET) 
1. Recommends 
policies 
and 
guidelines 
for 
the 
maintenance 
and 
enhancement of the efficiency and effectiveness in the management and 
operations of the TETC delivery in schools, centers, enterprises and 
communities within acceptable standards set;   
2. Serves as the technology research and development arm of the 
government in the field of TET;   
3. Develops, orchestrates the implementation of continuing development 
programs for trainers, teachers and instructors, partners/stakeholders in 
the TET sector;   
4. Develops and orchestrates the implementation of a national career 
guidance program and system;  
5. Conducts studies and researches, formulates policies and guidelines for 
the optimum/sustainable utilization of existing specialized training 
centers/institutions (e.g. KorPhil, TTCTCE, TWC, LSI and other centers of 
technical excellence;  
6. Identifies appropriate venues, from the network of public and private TET 
providers, as laboratory and pilot-testing/incubation sites in the 
development of training regulation, competency standards, assessment 
tools, curricula, learning materials, mock-ups and simulators;  


 
12
7. Promote and conduct an annual national skills competition and handles 
the participation of the country in international skills tilts;   
8. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Qualification and Standards Bureau (QSB) 
1. Conducts research and development on various occupational areas in 
order to recommend policies, rules and regulations for effective and 
efficient competency standardization, assessment and certification system 
in the country; 
2. Establishes and implements a system of accrediting experts from private 
enterprises, group of workers’ associations and public institutions for the 
development/updating of competency standards, curriculum exemplars; 
3. In collaboration with industry bodies, develops and establishes a national 
system of competency standardization and development for TET in the 
country; 
4. Facilitates the development, validation and evaluation of competency 
standards in identified appropriate venues from the network of public and 
private TET providers;   
5. Maintains the Philippine TVET Qualifications Framework (PTQF) as part 
of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF); 
6. Responsible for international benchmarking and comparability of 
standards with other economies/countries; and,  
7. Performs such other powers and functions as may be authorized. 
Accreditation and Certification Bureau (ACB) 
1. Develops, maintains and manages the national assessment and 
certification program, systems and procedures; 
2. Establishes and maintains the implementation of a quality-assured system 
of accrediting trainers, assessors and assessment centers in partnership with 
industries, training centers/institutions; 
3. Establishes and maintains a system of registering, accrediting TET 
programs/providers in the schools, centers, enterprises and communities; 


 
13
4. Undertakes compliance review and rating system of TESD programs 
implemented by various TVIs; 
5. Keeps custody of pertinent assessment and certification records and 
maintains a registry of Certified Workers, Trainers, and Accredited 
Competency Assessors and Accredited Competency Assessment Centers; 
 6. Maintains a compendium of registered TESDA programs; 
 7. Conduct researches/studies to ensure quality delivery and implementation 
of assessment and certification and program registration; 
8. Develops mechanisms to continuously ensure integrity of the assessment 
and certification and program registration; and 
9. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Administrative Service (AS)  
1. Provides overall policies, systems, programs and guidelines in the area of 
human 
resource 
management 
and 
development, 
procurement 
management , legal management, building and facilities maintenance, 
records management and cash management; 
2. Establishes a monitoring and reporting system on administrative services;  
3. Orchestrates the implementation, review and redevelopment of HRD Plan 
in support of the Corporate Plan and the NTTDP; 
4. Leads in the establishment and implementation of integrated HR systems; 
5. Provides administrative, general and legal services; and 
6. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Financial and Management Service (FMS) 
1. Orchestrates and supports the implementation of the agency quality 
management systems (QMS);  
2. Provides overall policies, systems, programs and guidelines on the 
management and utilization of Department’s financial resources; 
3. Establishes a monitoring and reporting system on the management and 
utilization of Department’s financial resources; and 
4. Performs such other functions as maybe authorized. 
Internal Control and Quality Management Service 


 
14
1. Develops and implements internal performance and process standards to 
ensure personnel and organizational efficiency and effectiveness; 
2. Monitors and ensure the maintenance of the ISO status of the Department 
and/or its sub divisions; 
       
3. Performs other functions as maybe authorized; 
Sec. 14. Regional Offices. - The Regional Offices shall be headed by Regional 
Directors with the rank and emoluments of Director IV to be appointed by the 
President. The Regional Offices shall be under the direct control of the Secretary and 
shall have the following functions: 
1. Direct implementation of TETC programs, projects and related activities in 
the region; 
2. Develop and recommend TETC programs for local level implementation 
within set policies; 
3. Deploy policies to stakeholders; 
4. Manage TETC resources in the region; 
5. Plan and implement policy inputs; and 
6. Perform other functions as may be authorized. 
Sec. 15. The Provincial/ District Offices. - The Provincial/ District Offices shall 
be headed by Provincial/District Directors, who shall have the rank and 
emoluments of a Director III. 
The Provincial Offices shall have the following functions:  
1. Serves as secretariat to the Provincial TET Committees; 
2. Provides technical assistance to the local government units (LGUs) for 
effective supervision, coordination, integration of all TET programs within 
their localities; 
3. Reviews and recommends priority TET programs within their localities; and 
4. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Sec. 16. Schools and Centers. – The Technical Education and Training delivery 
of the Department composed of leading technology centers, demonstration as well 
as regular Institutions shall have the following functions: 


 
15
1. Provide demonstration of leading training technology or regular TET 
programs relevant to the needs of the economy as well as specific groups 
considered as marginalized and/or vulnerable in accordance with the 
national TETC agenda. 
2. Conducts applied research and development programs and provides 
extension services in coordination with ROs/POs; 
3. Conducts outreach programs in coordination with ROs/POs; 
4. Initiates resource and income-generation programs; and 
5. Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
Sec. 17. Compliance with the Salary Standardization Law. - The compensation and 
emoluments of  the officials and employees of the Department shall be in accordance 
with the salary standardization law  and other applicable laws under the national 
compensation and classification plan. 
Sec. 18. Consultants and Technical Assistance, Publication and Research. - In pursuing 
its objectives, the Department is hereby authorized to set aside a portion of its 
appropriation for the hiring of services of qualified consultants, and private 
organizations for research work and publication in the field of technical education 
and skills development. It shall avail itself of the services of other agencies of the 
Government as may be required. 
Sec. 19. Formulation of a Comprehensive Development Plan for Middle-Level 
Manpower. - The Authority shall formulate a comprehensive development plan for 
middle-level manpower based on a national employment plan or policies for the 
optimum allocation, development and utilization of skilled workers for employment 
entrepreneurship and technology development for economic and social growth. This 
plan shall be updated periodically and submitted to the President of the Philippines 
for approval. Thereafter, it shall be the plan for the technical education, Training and 
Certification for the entire country within the framework of the National 
Development Plan. The Department shall direct through its Offices to call on public 
agencies, the private sector and the academe to assist in this effort. The 
comprehensive plan shall provide for a reformed industry-based training program 


 
16
including apprenticeship, dual training system and other similar schemes intended 
to: 
1. Promote maximum protection and welfare of the worker-trainee; 
2. Improve the quality and relevance and social accountability of technical 
education and Training; 
3. Accelerate the employment-generation effort of the government; and 
4. Expand the range of opportunities for upward social mobility of the 
school-going population beyond the traditional higher levels of formal 
education. All government and non-government agencies receiving 
financial and technical assistance from the government shall be required to 
formulate their respective annual agency technical education and skills 
development plan in line with the national technical education and 
training plan. The budget to support such plans shall be subject to review 
and endorsement by the Department to the Department of Budget and 
Management. The Department shall evaluate the efficiency and 
effectiveness of agencies skills development program and schemes to 
make them conform with the quantitative and qualitative objectives of the 
national technical education and skills development plan. 
Sec. 20. Technical Education and Training Committees. - The Department shall 
establish Technical Education and Training Committees at the regional and local 
levels to coordinate and monitor the delivery of all training activities by the public 
and private sectors. These committees shall likewise serve as the Technical 
Education and Training Development Committees of the   Regional and Local 
Development Councils. The compositions of the Technical Education and Training 
Committees shall be determined by the Secretary of the DepTeTC. 
Sec. 
21. 
Apprenticeship 
Program. - 
The 
Department 
shall 
promote 
apprenticeship as a major mode of training rather than an employment arrangement 
and shall see to it that it is not subject to abuse by unscrupulous entities;  
Sec. 22. Technical Education and Training Centers. - The Department shall 
establish and/or cause the establishment of a network of national, regional  and 
local skills training centers for the purpose of promoting skills development. This 


 
17
network shall include leading training technology centers, skills training centers in 
vocational and technical schools, technical institutes, polytechnic colleges, and all 
other duly accredited public and private dual system educational institutions. The 
technical education and Training centers shall be administered and operated under 
such rules and regulations as may be established by the Department in accordance 
with the National Technical Education and Training Plan. 
Sec. 23. Establishment and Administration of National Training Standards. - There 
shall be national training standards to be established by Department-accredited 
industry committees. The Department shall develop and implement a certification 
and accreditation program in which private industry groups 
and trade associations are accredited to conduct approved assessment packages, and 
the local government units to promote such assessment in their respective areas in 
accordance with the guidelines to be set by the Department. The Secretary shall 
determine the occupational trades for mandatory certification. All certificates 
relating to the national training standards and certification system shall be issued by 
the Department through its Regional and Provincial Offices. In consonance with the 
Philippine Qualification Framework (PQF), the Department shall closely collaborate 
with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as regards to the assessment of 
technicians, master craftsman and technologists. 
Sec. 25. Administration of Training Programs. - The Authority shall design and 
administer training programs and schemes the will develop the capabilities of public 
and private institutions to provide  quality and cost-effective technical education 
and skills development and related opportunities. Such training programs and 
schemes shall include teacher's trainors' training, skills training for entrepreneur 
development and technology development, cost-effective training in occupational 
trades and related   fields of employment, and value development as an integral 
component of all skills training programs. 
Sec. 26. Assistance to Employers and Organizations. - The Authority shall assist 
any employer or organization engaged in skills training schemes designed to attain 
its objectives under rules and regulations which the Authority shall establish for this 
purpose. 


 
18
Sec. 27. Accreditation and Regulation of Technical Education and Training 
Programs. – All technical education and training programs shall be duly accredited 
by the Department before it is offered to the public by any public, private entity or 
non-government organization. Non-compliance with the accreditation requirements 
of the Department shall be form part of the bases for the possible suspension or 
cancellation of the entities’ license to operate issued by competent authorities. 
Sec. 28. Coordination of All Skills Training Schemes. - In order to integrate the 
national skills development efforts, all technical education and skills training 
schemes as provided for in this Act shall be coordinated with the Department 
particularly those having to do with the setting of trade skills standards.  For this 
purpose, existing technical education and skills training programs in the 
Government and in the private sector, specifically those wholly or partly financed 
with government funds, shall be reported to the Department which shall assess and 
evaluate such programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. Non-compliance 
with the above mentioned reportorial requirements could disqualify erring entities 
for any form of government assistance in field technical education and training. 
Sec. 29. Enterprise Based Partnerships and Linkages. - The Authority shall 
establish effective and efficient institutional arrangements with industry bodies and 
such other aggrupation or associations to provide direct participation of employers 
and workers in the design and implementation of skills development schemes, trade 
skills standardization and certification and such other functions in the fulfillment of 
the Department's objectives. 
Sec. 30. Inclusive Training Opportunities. - The Authority shall likewise design 
and implement a delivery system for community based technical education and 
training opportunities for the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of the 
population, providing them with new tools of wealth creation and with the 
capability to take on higher value-added gainful activities and to share equitably in 
productivity gains eventually leading to poverty alleviation and reduction; 
Sec. 31. Skills Olympics. - To promote quality skills development in the country 
and with the view of participating in international skills competitions, the 
Department, with the active participation of private industries, shall organize and 


 
19
conduct annual National Skills Olympics. The Department shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and guidelines for the effective and efficient conduct of Annual 
National Skills Olympics and for the country's participation in international skills 
Olympics. 
Sec. 32. The TET Development Fund. - A Technical Education and Training 
Development Fund is hereby established, to be managed/administered by the 
Department, the income from which shall be utilized exclusively in awarding of 
grants and providing assistance to training institutions, industries, local government 
units for upgrading their capabilities and to develop and implement training and 
training-related activities. The contribution to the fund shall be the following: 
a. A one-time lump sum appropriation from the National Government; 
b. An 
annual 
contribution 
from 
the 
Overseas 
Workers 
Welfare 
Administration Fund, the amount of which should be part of the study on 
financing in conjunction with letter (D) of Section 34; 
c. Donations, grants, endowments, and other bequests or gifts, and any other 
income generated by the Department. 
The Secretary shall be the administrator of the fund, and as such, shall 
formulate the necessary implementing guidelines for the management of the fund, 
subject to the following: 
a. Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private 
contributions shall be used; and  
b. No part of the seed capital of the fund, including earnings, thereof, shall 
be used to underwrite expenses for administration. 
The Secretary shall appoint a reputable government-accredited investment 
institution as fund manager, subject to existing government regulations. 
Sec. 33. Technical Assistance, Incentives and Scholarship Grants. - The 
Department shall adopt a system of providing technical assistance, incentives and 
scholarship grants which shall be designed to encourage public and private sector 
and clientele participation in technical education and training activities along the 
priorities identified by the National Development Plan/Agenda. 


 
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Sec. 34. Placement Centers. There shall be established a network of placement 
centers or PLACERS in all the Provincial/ District Offices to cater specifically to the 
job placement of TET institutions. These Centers shall be financed and administered 
by the Department but will form part of the National Employment Service Network 
of the DOLE;   
Sec. 35. Budget. - The amount necessary to finance the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the TESDA. 
Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 36. Transitory Provisions. - The personnel of the TESDA shall, in a 
holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities 
and receive their corresponding salaries and benefits until such time when the 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Department shall have been 
approved: Provided, That the preparation and approval of the said new 
organizational structure and staffing pattern shall, as far as practicable, respect and 
ensure the security of tenure and seniority rights affected government employees. 
Those personnel whose positions are not included in the new staffing pattern or who 
are not reappointed or who choose to be separated as a result of the reorganization 
shall be paid their separation or retirement benefits under existing laws. 
Sec. 37. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. - The Department shall issue, within 
a period of ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the rules and regulations 
for the effective implementation of this Act. The Department shall submit to 
concerned Committees of both Houses of Congress copies of the implementing rules 
and guidelines within (30) days after its promulgation. Any violation of this Section 
shall render the official/s concerned liable under R. A. No. 6713, otherwise known as 
the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" and 
other existing administrative and/or criminal laws. 
Sec. 38. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or part thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


 
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Sec. 39. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof. 
Sec. 40. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,