TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
529
'\. 
of tl;r f . ’t t;;
25 JUL 14 All 56
RECElvLDBr.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL 
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 11899, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CONGRESSIONAL 
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION (EDCOM II) ACT"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to 
"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." In pursuit of this 
mandate, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) was 
created under Republic Act No. 11899 to "undertake a comprehensive national 
assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector for 
the purpose of recommending transformative, concrete and targeted reforms in the 
sector with the end in view of making the Philippines globally competitive in both 
education and labor markets."
Since its creation, EDCOM II has carried out one of the most far-reaching and 
data-driven diagnostic efforts on education in recent memory. Through rigorous 
research studies, extensive field visits, and wide-ranging consultations with learners, 
teachers, parents, agencies, local government units (LGUs), and policymakers, the 
Commission produced two principal reports, Miseducation: The Failed System of 
Philippine Education and Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival. These 
reports clearly and compellingly presented the structural deficiencies that continue to
1


hinder progress in Philippine education. These include critically low participation in 
early childhood programs, severe textbook shortages, a backlog of over 165,000 
classrooms, high attrition in higher education, outdated vocational training systems, 
and widespread stunting and undernutrition in children's earliest years—deficits that 
compound over time and impair students' ability to learn, complete school, and 
succeed in the workforce.
Importantly, EDCOM II did not stop at diagnosis. It offered concrete, actionable 
recommendations that have already translated into policy shifts, budget allocations, 
and enacted legislation. For example, in direct response to its findings on early 
childhood development, the government allocated PI billion under the 2025 General 
Appropriations Act for the establishment of Child Development Centers in 328 low- 
income LGUs, an illustration of how EDCOM II's research has informed targeted and 
equity-oriented investment.
In the 19th Congress, the Commission's work contributed to the passage of 
several key measures, including: the Early Childhood Care and Development System 
Act (RA No. 12199); Providing for the Optional Implementation of the Mother Tongue 
as Medium of Instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 (RA No. 12027); the Basic 
Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA No. 12080); the Academic 
Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act (RA No. 12028); the No Permit, 
No Exam Prohibition Act (RA No. 11984); the Enterprise-Based Education and Training 
(EBET) Framework Act (RA No. 12063); the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency 
and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act (RA No. 12124); as well as the Lifelong 
Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act, the Career Progression for Public 
School Teachers and School Leaders Act, and the Expanded Philippine Science High 
School (PSHS) System Act—all passed by both the Senate and the House of 
Representatives and currently pending presidential action—and the adopted 
concurrent resolution urging the creation of a Cabinet Cluster for Education.
This effective conversion of research into reform is precisely what makes 
EDCOM II's role indispensable. While these gains already form part of a meaningful 
legislative legacy, much remains to be done to reinforce this progress and address 
other equally critical challenges in education. Extending the Commission's mandate 
for an additional two years will help sustain policy momentum and build on the
2


foundation laid not only by institutions but by the tireless work of education experts, 
researchers, and public servants who have supported the Commission's mission. As 
both a think tank and a convener, EDCOM II has brought the nation's education 
stakeholders to the same table, building trust, shaping consensus, and becoming a 
guiding voice that has helped the nation to listen, align, and act.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
529
f--
, -OflitP o( 11' 
' 
'1
25 JUL 14 All 56
RECElvtD C
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL 
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 11899, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CONGRESSIONAL 
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION (EDCOM II) ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11899, otherwise known as the "Second 
Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Act", is hereby amended to read 
as follows:
"Section 6. Duration of EDCOM II. - The Commission shall 
accomplish its mandate within three (3) years from its organization.
It shall organize itself and commence its mandate upon the 
effectivity of this Act.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL THREE-YEAR 
MANDATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONTINUE TO 
OPERATE FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS 
FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING FURTHER 
RESEARCH AND CONSULTATIONS AS NECESSARY, AS 
WELL AS OVERSIGHT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
NATIONAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 
PLANS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE COMMISSION SHALL 
WORK CLOSELY WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES,
1


1 
STAKEHOLDERS, AND 
SECTORS TO ENSURE 
THE
2 
ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEMS
3 
WITH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LABOR MARKET
4 
NEEDS, AND THAT 
LONG-TERM REFORMS 
ARE
5 
INSTITUTIONALIZED."
6 
Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
7 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
8 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
9 
Sec. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
10 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,