EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2308
FILED
Nt>[*
BILLS
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE AGUSAN DEL SUR SCHOOL OF ARTS AND
TRADES (ASSAT) IN THE MUNICIPALITY;OF PROSPERIDAD,
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, INTO A TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA)-SUPERVISED AND 
ADMINISTERED SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE AGUSAN DEL SUR 
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ADSPITE),
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution guarantees that "the State shall 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall 
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." Section 2, paragraph 
5 of the same Article mandates that the State shall provide adult citizens, the disabled, 
and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.
Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) situated in Prosperidad, 
Agusan del Sur is the primary caterer of basic technical skills among aspiring students 
in the province. ASSAT offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 
programs with short courses under the Unified TVET Program Registration and 
Accreditation System (UTPRAS). Aside from this, they can also earn a National 
Certificate (NC) which they can use for employment. However, It cannot continue 
offering only training programs pegged at the four National Certification levels. As a 
matter of fact, the first tv;o National Certification levels are now part of the Senior High 
School curriculum in DepEd. Hence, ASSAT has to upgrade its curricular, operational 
and functional standards as an educational institution.
This bill therefor seeks to convert the Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades 
(ASSAT) into a polytechnic institute to be known as the Agusan del Sur Polytechnic 
Institute for Technical Education (ADSPITE). This will provide appropriate humanistic, 
scientific and practical knowledge, inculcate values and attitude, and hone skills for 
nation building to post-secondary students, particularly children of poor families.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure earnestly 
sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2308
E-FILED
nATP:.JU|y 5-2021 
08:58 am
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE AGUSAN DEL SUR SCHOOL OF ARTS AND 
TRADES (ASSAT) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, 
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, INTO A TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA)-SUPERVISED AND 
ADMINISTERED SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE AGUSAN DEL SUR 
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ADSPITE),
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembied:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Agusan Dei Sur
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Poytechnic Institute for Technical Education (ADSPITE) Act".
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SEC. 2. Conversion. - The Agusan Del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT)
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located in the Municipa ity of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan Del Sur, is hereby
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converted into the Agusan Del Sur Polytechnic Institute for Technical Education
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(ADSPITE), and placed under the supervision and administration of the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
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SEC. 3. General Mandate. - Recent global and regional developments provided
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the impetus to re-engineer the state of technical-vocational education to accelerate
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the country's response to the fast changing standards and requirements of the
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domestic and international job market, namely: 1) the adoption of Republic Act No.
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10968, or the "Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Act; 2) the ASEAN Economic
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Integration; 3) the global changes in technology and industry demands that have
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created a major need for skilled workforce and technical-vocational competency
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trainings, 4) the povet:^ reduction, livelihood and employment convergence for
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community-based livelihood and "techno-preneurial" skills development, and 5) the
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imperative to produce world-class Filipino "knowledge workers" whose skills are
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aligned with ASEAN integration goals and other international frameworks that respond
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to the challenges in the job market.


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The ADSPITE, as a technical-vocational education institution, shall restructure
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its technical- vocational education and training (TVET) programs to effect this major
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curricular shift as provider of leading edge technicai skilis for the local and international
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labor market, and aligned in accord with the standards of the industry.
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To this end, the ADSPITE shall upgrade its curricular standards as a tertiary
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TESDA-polytechnic skills educational institution and provide higher level competency
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qualifications for instruction in TESDA-registered TVET programs and certificate
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courses. It shall provide a wide array of relevant skills training and trade specialization
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courses to faciiitate the acquisition by the citizenry of the necessary technical skills
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that shall enhance their access to gainful employment, practical livelihood, and
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entrepreneurial opportunities, and thus hasten the development of the host area and
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the adjacent localities in the Province of Agusan Del Sur into human resource and
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productivity hubs.
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Priority admission to the ADSPITE, including availment of scholarships, grants-
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in-aid and other forms of student financial assistance, shall be given to the most
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economicaliy disadvantaged students, out-of-school youths, persons with disabilities,
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and indigenous peoples of the Municipality of Prosperidad and the adjacent localities
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to ensure their development into productive, self-reliant and globally competitive
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skilied labor assets.
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The ADSPITE shall serve as a TESDA-accredited assessment center for acquired
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competencies in TVET programs in the Province of Agusan Del Sur. It shall also provide
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teachers" training and curriculum design assistance to the secondary schools offering
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the technical-vocational livelihood track under the K to 12 Program in coordination
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with the Department of Education, the TESDA, and the Department of Labor and
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Employment (DOLE).
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SEC. 4. Curricular Offerings/Training Programs. - The ADSPITE shall offer
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TESDA-registered TVET programs, undergraduate certificate courses, and short-term
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courses and modular trainings in preferred technical-vocational skills specialization It
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shall aim to meet the competency requirements under Levei V of RA No. 10968, or
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the "Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Act", which is the Diploma Level in
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TVET.
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To this end, the DOLE, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department
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of Science and Technoiogy (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA). Department of
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the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development
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Authority (NEDA), business-industry partners, and other relevant agencies and
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instrumentalities, both local and international, shall provide the necessary assistance
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so the ADSPITE can produce skilled manpower to supply the needs of a robust and
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inclusive economy.


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The ADSPITE may establish research and technology hubs, technology 
development farms, satellite or extension campuses, as recommended by ASSAT & 
TESDA, promote mobile training programs, and strengthen linkages with industry 
partners and the academe.
It shall also adopt the use of innovative training modes such as information 
technology-assisted instruction, dual training system pursuant to Republic Act No.7686 
or the "Dual Training System Act of 1994", open distance learning pursuant to Republic 
Act No. 10650 or the "Open Distance Leaning Act", community laboratory, virtual and 
blended learning modes, and such other instructional programs that shall allow local 
residents greater access to the TVET program offerings of the ADSPITE.
Course completion at the ADSPITE shall be credited through skills competency 
assessment under National Certification Levels II to V. When applicable, TVET 
competency shall qualify for academic degree recognition pursuant to Republic Act 
No. 10647 or the "Ladderized Education Act", provided that the requirements of the 
Commission on Higher Education are complied with.
The ADSPITE shall offer skills development for higher competency qualifications 
in areas relating to technical industrial education, trade technology, tourism, 
agricultural technology, business literacy, and innovation in TESDA-registered skills, 
as follows:
a) Skills training in industrial technology and hard trades such as metal and 
steelwork, machine fabrication and operation, heavy equipment 
operation, automotive mechanical assembly, refrigeration and air 
conditioning, electronics, and operation of power tools and equipment 
for both medium skills grade and industrial purposes;
b) Tourism and hospitality-related courses relating to hotel, restaurant, and 
tourism development management;
c) Agriculture and aquaculture-related trainings and skills development in 
such areas as farming technology, fishing operations technology, 
backyard farming and home-based aquaculture and propagation 
innovations, mechanized farming, fishing tools and equipment 
operation, agribusiness, agri-aqua trade technology and innovations, 
and relevant training seminars for farmers and fisherfolk to encourage 
entrepreneurship and thus increase their productivity;
d) Livelihood skills development courses for preferred skills employment 
and small-scale entrepreneurship, including practical skills education in 
arts and crafts, workmanship and design, high-speed sewing, 
dressmaking and tailoring, horticulture, livestock raising and breeding.


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food processing technology, home technology, culinary arts and 
commercial cooking, cosmetology, and health and wellness training;
e) Basic business literacy training in financial management, marketing, 
accountancy, bookkeeping, office procedures, business processes and 
application procedures including registration, licensing documentation, 
business patent and intellectual property regulation business financing 
and investment opportunities sourcing, import-export accreditation, 
online home-based business operation, and social media business 
marketing.
f) Technical-vocational occupation and trades skills such as carpentry, 
masonry, plumbing, welding, practical electricity and installation, 
automotive servicing, electronics servicing, personal computer servicing, 
and such o:her relevant practical skills courses;
g) Computer literacy and information technology-related skills, web 
development, animation (3D Digital), game development, and 
computer-aided design application;
h) Social communication skills and language proficiency courses in English 
and other languages for business process outsourcing employment and 
overseas jcb placement;
i) Seminars in personality development, career counseling, job placement, 
and work ethic and values; and
j) Other preferred skills and trades training that may be needed by the 
people of the Municipality of Prosperidad and the adjacent localities to 
enhance their capacities for practical livelihood, gainful employment, and 
entrepreneurial activities.
SEC. 5. Compliance with TESDA Requirements. - The provisions of this Act 
notwithstanding, the conversion of the ASSAT into the ADSPITE shall become 
operational only upon the issuance by the TESDA of a formal recommendation and 
certificate of compliance attesting that the ADSPITE has satisfactorily complied with 
the minimum standards of quality it has prescribed governing the following: a) 
standard procedures and guidelines for the conversion and operation of a TESDA 
polytechnic institute; b) operational sustainability of the ADSPITE in terms of licensed 
faculty-trainers and personnel, equipment, training and laboratory facilities, 
instructional materials, and other standard requirements of a TESDA-accredited and 
supervised school; c) sustainable funding source and regular allocation of budgetary
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requirement for TESDA-operated schools; d) full alignment of the training programs
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offered with the minimum standards of competency-based quality technical-vocational
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technology skills and the needs of the host area and adjacent localities served within
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the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration and the
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PQF for TVET; and e) compliance with such other TESDA conditionalities and
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standards, as may be necessary and applicable, on the conversion of the ASSAT into
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the ADSPITE.
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SEC. 6. Administration. - The ADSPITE shall be headed by a Vocational School
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Superintendent under the supervision of the TESDA, who shall render full-time service
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and be responsible for its administration and operation The Vocational School
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Superintendent shall be appointed by the TESDA Director General in accordance with
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the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and the qualification
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requirements for such office.
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The Vocational School Superintendent shall enter into agreement with locally-
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based private and public counterpart agencies or instrumentalities and persons, and
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seek such assistance as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act, subject
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to the approval of the TESDA Director General.
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The academic and administrative staff of the ADSPITE shall be organized
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following the staffing pattern of the TESDA for such type of schools, pursuant to
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existing laws, rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
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SEC. 7. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, fixed and movable,
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personnel, records and documents, as well as the liabilities or obligations of the ASSAT
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shall be transferred to the ADSPITE; Provided, That the positions, rights and security
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of tenure of faculty and personnel therein employed prior to its conversion into the
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ADSPITE, shall not be impaired.
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All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the defunct ASSAT
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are henceforth declared the property of the ADSPITE and shall be titled under that
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name: Provided, That, should the ADSPITE cease to exist or such aforementioned
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parcels of land be no longer needed
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All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the defunct ASSAT
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are henceforth declared the property of the ADSPITE and shall be titled under that
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name: Provided, That, should the ADSPITE cease to exist or such aforementioned
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parcels of land be no longer needed by the ADSPITE, the same shall all revert to the
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concerned local government unit (LGU), or to the Municipality of Prosperidad, Province
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of Agusan Del Sur.
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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial operations of
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the ADSPITE shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the ASSAT.
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Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
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Act.


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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after
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the approval of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, DTI, DOST,
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DA, DBM, DILG, NEDA, :he concerned LGUS, and such other relevant agencies and
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industry-business partners of the host locality, prepare and issue the necessary rules
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and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of
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this Act shall be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions
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hereof shall not be affected and shall remain in force and in effect.
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
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rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
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repealed or amended accordingly.
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,