EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.. 3884

Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall
give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development.” Likewise, Article XTV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, provides 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”.

From these State Principles enshrined in the Constitution, the State
recognizes the vital role of quality education in nation-building and development
through the creation of a more responsible and literal citizenry. To achieve such
ends, the State must ensure and promote quality education for all by ensuring that
education policies, strategies and programs in all levels are well-defined and
structured in conformity with the national objectives of promulgation qualification
frameworks and standards.

However, lapse in governance in the education system of our country persist
because of the absence or lack thereof inter-agency cooperation among key
education agencies and offices in streamlining educational policies, guidelines and
standards to ensure the delivery of quality education in all schools at all levels.

This bill aims to bridge the governance and policy-making frameworks of
basic education, higher education and technical-vocational education which shall set
the general directions for educational policies, quality standards, guidelines and
supervision of learning outcomes of the entire education system. By defining the
roles and responsibilities of different education agencies and offices, the goals and
objectives set forth in the national qualifications framework will be better achieved.

Similarly, the bill also aims to service to develop a comprehensive educational
policy based on extensive research on education and industry trends to ensure the
professional and career suitability of the students both in local and international



professions and seeks to further and seeks to further empower educational
institutions to be effective partners in the delivery of educational reforms.

With the aim to continuously develop the country’s human capital especially

in the field of education, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly
requested.

The immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

\ wo
VIRGIL S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party List


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.3884

Ce
Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

—_.q

AN ACT
CREATING AN INDEPENDENT POLICY-MAKING, QUALITY ASSESSING,
RESEARCH AND REGULATORY BODY FOR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN
THE PHILIPPINES TO BE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATION
RESEARCH AND REGULATORY COMMISSION, APPRORIATING 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 “Philippine Education

Research and Regulatory Commission Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — The State shall promote the right of all citizens to
affordable quality education at all levels and shall take steps to ensure that equality
education shall be accessible to all. The State shall promote the continuing intellectual
growth and development of students in schools and professionals in industries, the
advancement of research and development, and the enrichment of responsible and effective
leadership in the academe.

Towards this end, Basic Education, Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-Graduate,
Technical and Vocational Institutions shall gear their education programs in conformity with
national qualifications framework plans to achieve total development.

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SEC. 3. Purposes and Objectives. — The purposes and objectives of this Act are:

a) To bridge the governance and policy-making frameworks of basic education, higher
education and technical-vocational education which shall set the general directions
for educational policies, quality standards, guidelines and supervision of learning
outcomes of the entire education system;

b) To define the roles and responsibilities of different education agencies and offices at
various levels in implementing programs, projects and services to realize the goals
and objectives set forth in the national qualifications’ framework;

c) To empower educational institutions as effective partners in the delivery of
educational services at all levels in the attachment of greater access to educational
opportunities;

d) To develop a comprehensive educational policy based on extensive research on
education and industry trends to ensure the professional and career suitability of the
students both in local and international professions; and

€) To guide future professionals and skilled workers in choosing appropriate professions
in key industries that are vital in nation-building and will further spur economic
growth and development.

SEC. 4. Creation. — Philippine Education Research and Regulation Commission, which
is created pursuant to this Act and hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall be vested
with authority, accountability and responsibility for ensuring accessibility and improving the
delivery of quality basic, collegiate, technical-vocational and higher education.

The Commission shall be headed by a Commissioner with five (5) Deputy
Commissioner which shall have jurisdiction on (1) public basic education schools; (2)
private basic educational schools; (3) private higher educational institutions; (4) State
Universities and Colleges (SUCs); and (5) technical-vocational schools.

The Commission shall render an annual report of its programs, activities, and
achievements to the President and Congress.

SEC. 5. Philippine Education Advisory Council. - There shall be constituted a
Philippine Education Advisory Council which shall meet with the Commission at least once

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a year to assist the Commission in aligning its policies and plans with the cultural, political
and socioeconomic development needs of the country.

The Council shall be composed of the following:

a) The Commissioner of the Philippine Education Regulatory Commission, as
Presiding Officer;

b) The Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority,
as Co-Presiding Officer;

c) The Secretary of Education;

d) The Commissioner of Higher Education;

e) The Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority;

f) The Secretary of Labor and Employment;

g) The Chief of the Philippine National Police;

h) Two (2) Representatives from College and Universities Accrediting
Associations, as, members;

i) One (1) Representative from a recognized Student Organization from
Public Educational Institutions, as member; and

j) One (1) Representative from a recognized Student Organization from
Private Educational Institutions, as member.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall exercise
the following powers and functions:
a) Formulate develop plans, policies, priorities and programs on the entire

educational system;

b) Set minimum standards for programs/courses of studies at all levels and to

approve standards and test established and conducted by private industries
including registrations of educational institutions and certifications;

c) Set standards for safety and security protocols for all academic institutions

to ensure that all-over environment including physical facilities and learning
spaces in schools and leaming institutions remain conducive for learning
and responsive to the safety needs of the academic stakeholders;

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d) Establish and develop testing and evaluation programs that will assess the
over-all performance of the education system in the country and research on
the data gathered such tests and evaluation programs to better improve
education service delivery in the country;

¢) Guide students towards the most appropriate profession by formulating a
comprehensive profession test that is programmed to gauge the capability
and intellectual activity of students and match it to appropriate industries to
ensure better work opportunities for students in both domestics and foreign
job markets while being relevant to current and future employment needs;

f) Regulate and supervise the admission of students on course and programs
offered by schools and educational institutions by requiring the results of
the comprehensive programs that are deemed vital to the economic direction
of the country;

g) Require schools to provide the Commission their admission policies, results
of admission exams, scores of admitted students and equivalent passing
rates;

h) Monitor, evaluate, classify, rate and rank the performance of programs and
educational institutions, schools and training centers undertaking
standardized national competency tests to be able to appropriate incentives
and/or sanctions such as but not limited to, diminution or withdrawal of
subsidy, downgrading or withdrawal of permits or status conferred by the
Commission, non-recognition of accreditation, termination of program or
certificate or closure of the school or training center;

i) Inspect, evaluate and review the textbooks and instructions used materials
used in schools to ensure that knowledge being remain factual, relevant and
consistent with current existing paradigms and void of errors and
inconsistencies;

j) Monitor, supervise and regulate the administration of scholarship grants and
academic financial assistance offered to qualified students in order to ensure
an equitable academic support delivery anchored on national economic
development goals and professional qualification frameworks;


1 k) Publish performance ratings and ranking of schools and educational

2 institutions nationwide based on national competency test and other
3 parameters with the aim to set a national standard of measurement for
4 school competency;

5 }) Identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in different
6 levels and program areas;

7 m) Rationalize educational institutions and their educational offerings and set
8 standards, policies and guidelines for the creation, conversion and elevation
9 of schools to institutions of higher learning subject to budget limitations and
10 the number of institutions of higher learning in the province or region where

u creation, conversion or elevation is sought to be made;

12 n) Institutionalize a research development program that will monitor
13 educational innovations and changes in the industry to ensure the
14 professional and career suitability of the students both in local and
15 international industries;

16 ©) To receive, collect and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the
7 support of the Commission in the manner it may determine in its discretion,
18 in order to carry out the purposes and functions of the Commission;

19 p) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal
20 properties of all kinds, and to administer and disposed of the same when
21 necessary for the benefit of the Commission, and subject, if any, to the
2 donor’s limitations, directions and instructions.

23 q) Promulgation such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers
24 and functions ad may be necessary to carry out effectively the purposes and
2s objectives of this Act; and

26 1) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective
n operations and for the continued enhancement, growth or development of
28 the education system.

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30 SEC. 7. Congressional Oversight Committee on Education. ~ To monitor and ensure

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issuances relating to education, a Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall be
constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

The Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Committee on Basic
Education and Culture and Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the Senate and
the House of Representatives and three (3) additional members from each chamber to be
designated by the Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively. One (1) of the said
three (3) additional members shall come from the minority members of each chamber.

SEC. 8. Authority to Use Generated Revenues. - The Commission shall have the
authority to use generated revenues from the collection of fees from the issuance of permits,
certifications and research documents to ensure the optimal operations of the Commission.
Such authority shall however be subject to applicable budgeting and auditing laws, rules and
regulation to ensure accountability.

SEC. 9. Retention of Mandates of Other Education Agencies. — The operations of
the Commission shall not be construed prejudicial to the current functions and mandates of
other existing education agencies. The mandates of other education agencies shall remain in
force and such agencies shall continue to exercise their powers and functions within their
jurisdictions.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act shalll be included in the annual appropriations under the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision or portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision
of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, and/ or modified accordingly.

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SEC. 13. Efectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,