Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. _ 1330

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY
FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002", declares the policy of the State to provide effective
mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen
victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs
of treatment and rehabilitation.

Pursuant to this, this bill seeks to institutionalize the Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) and livelihood programs for former drug dependents.

TVET is the education or training process of the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It involves, in addition to general education,
the study of technologies and related sciences and acquisition of practical skills
relating to occupations in various sectors of economic life and social life, comprises
formal (organized programs as part of the school system) and non-formal
(organized classes outside the school system) approaches.

In 2021, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has
announced that “Almost half of over 1.2 million drug surrenderers are now back to
their normal lives after undergoing rehabilitation programs.”*

This measure aims to give these former drug dependents a chance to rebuild
their lives and provide them with opportunities to find employment or start their
own businesses.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

edhe Honres

Kababaihan Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
‘at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list

1 Nearly half of 1.2M drug surrenderers back to normal lives: DILG, Christopher Lloyd
Caliwan, Philippine News Agency, July 21, 2021 (https://wy gov. ph/articles/1147764)
Accessed on 24 June 2025



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 1390

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY
FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall
institutionalize the provision of technical-vocational education and training (TVET)
and livelihood programs designed specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. The
TVET and livelihood programs shall focus on competitive and employable skills that
can be acquired and developed by rehabilitated drug dependents to further enhance
their ability to find gainful employment and entrepreneurial livelihood opportunities.

The DOLE shall provide incentives to companies which shall employ rehabilitated
drug dependents who have undergone the TVET and livelihood programs mandated
under this Act.

SEC. 2. The Director General of TESDA shall immediately include in the
Authority's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the TESDA shall,
in coordination with the DOLE, formulate the rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of
instructions, rules or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.