Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE LIFELONG LEARNING DEVELOPMENT 
FRAMEWORK, BROADENING THE MANDATE OF THE PHILIPPINE 
QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK - NATIONAL COORDINATING 
COUNCIL (PQF-NCC), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 10968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK ACT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The International Labour Organization noted that the concept of 
lifelong learning recognized that “whilst the value of initial training was not 
to be discounted, the frontloading of skills through education and training 
for a single lifetime qualification was no longer sufficient, and that 
education and training systems of the future needed to be flexible and 
prepare individuals to learn continuously over their life.”1 
1
 International 
Labor 
Organization, 
Lifelong 
Learning: 
Concepts, 
Issues, 
and 
Actions, 
available 
at 
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_711842.pdf 
(last 
accessed 
September 2, 2021). 
July 25, 2022
8:00 am
2286


In the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development, Goal 4, UN Member States have committed to ensure 
inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong 
opportunities for all. 2  Flexible lifelong learning has likewise been 
recognized by the Philippine government as a priority strategy, with a 
special focus on digital skills training.3 
Indeed, while present learning frameworks prioritize the education 
and development of children and young adults to prepare them for the 
future, it is clear that learning is a continuous and lifelong process. There 
is, therefore, a need to establish policies that will provide an enabling 
environment for lifelong learning opportunities to flourish, and to be 
accessible to persons from all walks of life. 
This measure requires the development of a Lifelong Learning 
Development Framework, to be developed by the Philippine Qualifications 
Framework-National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC). For this purpose, 
the PQF-NCC shall determine and set standards for the development of 
action components and desirable success measures for the promotion 
and implementation of lifelong learning in cities, municipalities, and 
lifelong educational institutions.  
To ensure equitable, inclusive, and accessible lifelong learning 
opportunities, local government units that are designated as Learning 
Cities or Municipalities shall be empowered to take the lead in the 
implementation of this measure within their jurisdictions, including the 
establishment and operation of community learning centers, to provide all 
their residents, especially the underprivileged, to avail of such 
opportunities. Learning Cities or Municipalities shall also enjoy additional 
support and funding to promote their residents’ participation in lifelong 
education.  
With the increasingly volatile labor markets and the advent of the 
Fourth Industrial Revolution, persons of every age and of any status, 
especially marginalized communities, can be assured that there will be no 
2 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
3 Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. 


 
shortage of sources of knowledge that will allow them to better adapt to 
dynamic and ever-changing times. 
 
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE LIFELONG LEARNING DEVELOPMENT 
FRAMEWORK, BROADENING THE MANDATE OF THE PHILIPPINE 
QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK - NATIONAL COORDINATING 
COUNCIL (PQF-NCC), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 10968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK ACT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
1 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “The Lifelong 
4 
Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act.” 
5 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the 
7 
policy of the State to create an environment free of poverty, hunger, 
8 
violence, and war, and to ensure equity, inclusion, and a healthy 
9 
environment for everyone. To this end, the State shall promote lifelong 
10 
learning as a means to achieve full, productive, and freely chosen 
11 
employment and decent work for all, and to promote a more sustainable 
12 
national, regional, and local development. The State shall promote 
13 
universal literacy and promote the constitutional right of all citizens to 
14 
2286


 
quality and accessible education at all levels, and prescribe the duties of 
1 
the State in this regard. 
2 
 
3 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
4 
 
5 
a) 
Community Learning Center (CLC) refers to a venue outside the 
6 
formal education system, including, but not limited to, learning hubs, 
7 
reading centers, libraries and e-libraries, to provide lifelong learning 
8 
opportunities for community development and improvement of the 
9 
quality of life; 
10 
 
11 
b) 
Learning City or Municipality refers to a city or municipality which 
12 
effectively mobilizes its resources to: a) promote inclusive learning in 
13 
all education levels; b) encourage learning in families and 
14 
communities; c) facilitate continuous learning for and in the 
15 
workplace; d) extend the use of modern learning technologies; e) 
16 
enhance quality and pursuit of excellence in learning; and f) foster a 
17 
culture of learning throughout life; 
18 
 
19 
c) 
Lifelong Educational Institution refers to any establishment, 
20 
corporation, organization, or public or private institution for lifelong 
21 
education providing lifelong vocational training, or offering 
22 
supplementary education for school curricula. It shall also refer to a 
23 
center or an office attached to an existing educational institution that 
24 
offers lifelong education to persons other than its regular students; 
25 
 
26 
d) 
Lifelong Learning refers to a philosophy that recognizes learning as 
27 
a continuum and not confined to a particular period in life nor the 
28 
school system but takes place in all modes and locales, at all stages 
29 
of life, which results in improving knowledge, know-how, skills, 
30 
competencies, and/or qualifications for personal, social, and/or 
31 
professional reasons. As a conceptual framework and organizing 
32 
principle for educational policy, lifelong learning, also known as 
33 
lifelong education, encompasses all modes of learning and all types 
34 
of formal, nonformal, or informal educational activities; 
35 
 
36 


 
e) 
Literacy Education refers to a significantly higher level of literacy, 
1 
which includes not only reading and writing skills, but also numeracy 
2 
skills. The skills must be sufficiently advanced to enable the individual 
3 
to participate fully and efficiently in activities commonly occurring in 
4 
his or her life situation that requires a reasonable capability of 
5 
communicating by written language; and 
6 
 
7 
f) 
Tertiary Education refers to the stage of education following the 
8 
secondary cycle which covers post-secondary nondegree diploma, 
9 
technical-vocational education and training, and higher education 
10 
programs, including graduate education. 
11 
 
12 
SECTION 4. Lifelong Learning Development Framework. – A 
13 
Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) shall be developed by 
14 
the Philippine Qualifications Framework-National Coordinating Council 
15 
(PQF-NCC) as provided under this Act. The LLDF shall describe and set 
16 
standards for the development of action components and desirable 
17 
success measures for the promotion and implementation of lifelong 
18 
learning in cities, municipalities and lifelong educational institutions. 
19 
 
20 
The LLDF shall have the following objectives: 
21 
 
22 
a) Promote functional literacy at all levels of society; 
23 
 
24 
b) Promote inclusive learning in the educational system; 
25 
 
26 
c) Revitalize learning in families and communities; 
27 
 
28 
d) Facilitate learning for and in the workplace, with the participation 
29 
of industry and other stakeholders; 
30 
 
31 
e) Extend the use of modern learning technologies; 
32 
 
33 
f) Ensure the quality of learning; and 
34 
 
35 
g) Foster a culture of learning throughout life. 
36 
 
37 


 
 
1 
The action components and corresponding success measures shall 
2 
include the following: 
3 
 
4 
a) Promotion of Literacy at all levels of society. – This component 
5 
upholds the importance of promoting literacy for all. The activities 
6 
under this component shall include those that ensure for every 
7 
citizen the opportunity to become literate and obtain foundational 
8 
and transversal skills. The corresponding success measure for 
9 
this action component shall be adult literacy rate. 
10 
 
11 
b) Promotion of inclusive learning in the educational system. – No 
12 
person, regardless of ability, sex, social background, language, 
13 
ethnicity, religion or culture, shall be excluded from participating 
14 
in the lifelong learning system. The activities under this 
15 
component and their corresponding success measures shall 
16 
include the following: 
17 
 
18 
(1) Expanding access to early childhood care and education, with 
19 
net enrolment rate in pre-primary education, as success 
20 
measure; 
21 
 
22 
(2) Expanding access to and participation in alternative learning 
23 
system programs for out-of-school children and youth, with the 
24 
number of beneficiaries and quality of programs as success 
25 
measure;  
26 
 
27 
(3) Expanding access to and participation in the Expanded 
28 
Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program 
29 
(ETEEAP) for adults with work experience, with the number of 
30 
beneficiaries and quality of programs as success measures; 
31 
 
32 
(4) Expanding access to formal education from primary to tertiary 
33 
level, with average number of years of formal schooling 
34 
received by people aged twenty-five (25) and older, as 
35 
success measure; 
36 
 
37 


 
(5) Expanding access to and participation in adult education and 
1 
technical-vocational education and training, with percentage 
2 
of citizens aged twenty-five to sixty-four (25-64) who reported 
3 
receiving education or training in the last twelve (12) months 
4 
as reported and monitored, as success measure; 
5 
 
6 
(6) Providing support for marginalized groups, including, but not 
7 
limited to, women, youth, indigenous persons, and persons 
8 
with disabilities, to ensure access to education, including 
9 
learning options and pathways, with the number or quality of 
10 
measures adopted by LGUs to support learners from 
11 
marginalized groups, as success measure; and 
12 
 
13 
(7) Assigning qualified professional individuals to assist persons 
14 
with disabilities to be able to adapt and cope while being 
15 
integrated in the education system, with the number of 
16 
learners with disabilities who re-enroll or remain in schools, as 
17 
success measure. 
18 
 
19 
c) Revitalization of learning in families and communities. – Lifelong 
20 
learning shall not only be confined to educational or business 
21 
settings, but shall also include learning within families and local 
22 
communities. This learning shall have the following activities and 
23 
corresponding success measures: 
24 
 
25 
(1) Establishing or recognizing community-based learning spaces 
26 
and providing resources for learning in families and 
27 
communities, with the number of functional community-based 
28 
infrastructure or spaces dedicated to lifelong learning, as 
29 
success measure; and 
30 
 
31 
(2) Motivating citizens to participate in family and community 
32 
learning, 
giving 
special 
attention 
to 
vulnerable 
and 
33 
disadvantaged groups, such as indigent families, migrants, 
34 
people with disabilities, minorities and third-age learners, (i) 
35 
with the availability or presence of LGU legislation to support 
36 
learning in families, (ii) percentage of community members 
37 


 
participating in community learning activities on a regular 
1 
basis, and (iii) percentage of community members engaging 
2 
in learning activities, as success measures. 
3 
 
4 
d) Facilitation of learning for and in the workplace. – Lifelong 
5 
learning shall support the economic activities and the workforce 
6 
in the community and related environs. The following activities 
7 
and corresponding success measures shall fall under this 
8 
component: 
9 
 
10 
(1) Ensuring that all members of the workforce have access to a 
11 
broad array of learning opportunities as part of work-to-work 
12 
transition, with employees’ participation rate in job-related 
13 
education and training, as success measure;  
14 
 
15 
(2) Providing appropriate learning opportunities for unemployed 
16 
youths and adults, with percentage of the unemployed 
17 
enrolled in various employment or entrepreneurship training 
18 
programs offered in the city or municipality, as success 
19 
measure; 
20 
 
21 
(3) Promoting innovative, transparent, equitable, and sustainable 
22 
financing mechanisms as well as non-financial incentives for 
23 
workers’ participation in training, with mechanisms on skills 
24 
development between workers and employers as a success 
25 
measure. 
26 
 
27 
e) Extension of the use of modern learning technologies. – Cities or 
28 
municipalities shall enable all citizens to use the information and 
29 
communication technologies (ICT), particularly the internet and 
30 
in general, all forms of relevant media, for learning and self-
31 
empowerment. The activities and corresponding success 
32 
measures under this component shall include the following: 
33 
 
34 
(1) Training administrators, teachers and educators to use 
35 
technologies that enhance learning, with the percentage of 
36 


 
teachers or educators who have received ICT training in the 
1 
last twelve (12) months, as success measure; and 
2 
 
3 
(2) Expanding citizens’ access to ICT tools and learning 
4 
programs, with the number of established ICT tools and 
5 
learning programs, as well as the percentage of users who 
6 
use ICT on a regular basis for class activities in schools and 
7 
other lifelong learning spaces, as success measures. 
8 
 
9 
f) Enhancement of quality learning. – The following activities and 
10 
corresponding 
success 
measures 
shall 
fall 
under 
this 
11 
component: 
12 
 
13 
(1) Promoting a paradigm shift from teaching to learning, from the 
14 
mere acquisition of information to the development of 
15 
creativity and learning skills, with the measure of learning 
16 
acquired assessed in accordance with relevant standards, as 
17 
success measure; 
18 
 
19 
(2) Employing appropriately trained administrators, teachers and 
20 
educators, with the availability of appropriately trained 
21 
teachers or educators, as success measure;  
22 
 
23 
(3) Fostering an environment in which learners have, as far as 
24 
practicable, ownership of their own learning, with ratio of 
25 
students to teachers in pre-primary, primary, secondary, and 
26 
adult and continuing education, as success measure; and 
27 
 
28 
(4) Ensuring the relevance of skills training to the needs of 
29 
business and labor market needs, with employment of 
30 
graduates as a success measure. 
31 
 
32 
For the purpose of this component, education agencies shall 
33 
likewise provide assessment mechanisms, with success measures and 
34 
performance indicators, in coordination with the PQF-NCC. 
35 
 
36 


 
g) Fostering of a culture of learning throughout life. – The following 
1 
activities and corresponding success measures shall fall under 
2 
this component: 
3 
 
4 
(1) Organizing and supporting public events that encourage and 
5 
celebrate learning, with the existence of public activities such 
6 
as adult learning week and learning festivals, and use of 
7 
different modalities to promote and celebrate learning, as 
8 
success measure; 
9 
 
10 
(2) Providing adequate information, career counselling and 
11 
vocational guidance, and support to all citizens, and 
12 
stimulating them to learn through diverse pathways, with the 
13 
percentage of learners satisfied with the provision of 
14 
information and counselling to learners, as success measure; 
15 
and 
16 
 
17 
(3) Acknowledging the importance of learning in informal and 
18 
non-formal settings and developing systems that recognize 
19 
and reward all forms of learning, with the availability of LGU 
20 
ordinance and practice of recognizing, validating, and 
21 
accrediting all learning outcomes aligned with the Philippine 
22 
Credit Grant and Transfer Scheme of the Philippines 
23 
Qualifications Framework under Republic Act No. 10968, as 
24 
success measure. 
25 
 
26 
h) Strengthening of political will and commitment. – Elected officials 
27 
and administrators shall have the primary responsibility of 
28 
committing political resources to realizing the vision of a learning 
29 
city. The following activities and their corresponding success 
30 
measures shall fall under this component: 
31 
 
32 
(1) Demonstrating strong political leadership and making a 
33 
steadfast commitment to turning LGUs into learning cities or 
34 
municipalities, with the strength and commitment of leadership 
35 
demonstrated in developing and implementing the learning 
36 


 
city strategy as evidenced by qualitative validation, as success 
1 
measure; 
2 
 
3 
(2) Developing and implementing well-grounded and participatory 
4 
strategies for promoting lifelong learning for all, through 
5 
policies and strategies to promote lifelong learning adopted by 
6 
the city or municipal council, as success measures; and 
7 
 
8 
(3) Consistent monitoring of progress towards becoming a 
9 
learning city or municipality, with initiatives adopted by the 
10 
local authorities to monitor progress in developing and 
11 
implementing the learning city or municipality strategy, as 
12 
success measure. 
13 
 
14 
i) Improvement of governance and participation of all stakeholders. 
15 
– All sectors of society shall have a key role in learning and 
16 
education and shall participate in building learning cities or 
17 
municipalities. The activities and corresponding success 
18 
measures under this component shall include the following: 
19 
 
20 
(1) Establishing inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms to 
21 
involve governmental and nongovernmental organizations 
22 
and the private sector in building learning cities or 
23 
municipalities, with effectiveness to encourage stakeholder 
24 
mobilization and coordination in developing learning cities, as 
25 
success measure;  
26 
 
27 
(2) Encouraging all stakeholders to provide quality learning 
28 
opportunities and to make their own unique contribution to 
29 
building a learning city or municipality, with stakeholders’ 
30 
commitment, plans and actions to develop better and more 
31 
accessible learning opportunities within their areas of 
32 
responsibility and the existence of partnerships and 
33 
cooperation between the city and the private sectors to 
34 
support the learning city strategy, as success measure; 
35 
 
36 


 
(3) Strengthening intersectoral coordination mechanisms to 
1 
involve governmental and nongovernmental organizations 
2 
and the private sector in building learning cities or 
3 
municipalities, with effectiveness to encourage stakeholder 
4 
mobilization and coordination in developing learning cities, as 
5 
success measure; and 
6 
 
7 
(4) Establishing 
coordination 
among 
government 
and 
8 
stakeholders in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of 
9 
labor market information, with the use of tools and latest 
10 
technologies, supportive of skills development and lifelong 
11 
learning policies, strategies, programs, as success measure; 
12 
 
13 
(5) Establishing 
inter-LGU 
mechanism 
to 
support 
the 
14 
development and implementation of related lifelong learning 
15 
programs.  
16 
 
17 
j) Boosting of resource mobilization and utilization. – The following 
18 
activities and corresponding success measures shall fall under 
19 
this component: 
20 
 
21 
(1) Encouraging greater financial investment in lifelong learning 
22 
by national and local government units, civil society, private 
23 
sector organizations and individuals, with public expenditure 
24 
on education and learning as a percentage of the total city 
25 
budget, percentage of public education expenditure spent at 
26 
different levels or types of education, as success measure; 
27 
 
28 
(2) Making effective use of the learning resources of all 
29 
stakeholders and developing innovative funding mechanisms 
30 
to support lifelong learning for all, with innovative initiatives of 
31 
mapping and utilizing human, financial, cultural and other 
32 
resources available to the city to facilitate learning in the city, 
33 
as success measure; 
34 
 
35 
(3) Adopting pro-poor funding policies and providing various 
36 
types of support to disadvantaged groups, with the allocation 
37 


 
and effective use of funds to support the participation of 
1 
disadvantaged groups in learning, as success measure; 
2 
 
3 
(4) Encouraging citizens to contribute their talents, skills, 
4 
knowledge and experience on a voluntary basis, with the 
5 
citizens’ contribution to helping other citizens, as success 
6 
measure: and 
7 
 
8 
(5) Encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences and best 
9 
practices between and among organizations in different cities, 
10 
with the number of international or inter-city partnerships and 
11 
exchanges with other learning cities or municipalities or 
12 
lifelong learning institutions, as success measure. 
13 
 
14 
The desired success measures for each component shall be 
15 
reviewed and evaluated annually, and amended and modified by the PQF-
16 
NCC, as it may deem necessary. For each success measure, whether 
17 
enumerated under this Act, or thereafter amended or modified, 
18 
performance indicators shall be identified by the PQF-NCC. 
19 
 
20 
SECTION 5. Additional Role and Member of PQF-NCC. – The 
21 
mandate of the Philippine Qualifications Framework – National 
22 
Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC) established by virtue of Republic Act 
23 
No. 10968, otherwise known as the Philippine Qualifications Framework 
24 
(PQF) Act, is further strengthened to assume the powers and functions 
25 
provided under this Act. In addition to the existing composition of the PQF-
26 
NCC, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local 
27 
Government (DILG) shall also be a member of the PQF-NCC.  
28 
 
29 
All members of the PQF-NCC may designate their respective 
30 
representatives to the PQF-NCC, whose rank shall not be lower than 
31 
Assistant Secretary or its equivalent. 
32 
 
33 
 
SECTION 6. Additional Powers and Functions of the PQF-NCC.  
34 
– In addition to its mandate under the PQF Act, the PQF-NCC shall have 
35 
the following specific powers and functions: 
36 
 
37 


 
a) Formulate, implement, review, and amend the LLDF, including 
1 
the action components and success measures for the effective 
2 
implementation of this Act; 
3 
 
4 
b) Implement the Philippine Credit Transfer System (PCTS) within 
5 
and across the different levels of education and modalities of 
6 
delivery and recognition, in partnership with lifelong learning 
7 
institutions, and the Philippine Qualifications Register (PhQuar);  
8 
 
9 
c) Formulate a master plan, in consultation with relevant 
10 
government agencies, for the promotion of lifelong learning and 
11 
the designation of learning cities and municipalities, develop 
12 
guidelines for designation of cities and municipalities, and 
13 
designate a particular city or municipality as a Learning City or 
14 
Municipality based on such guidelines; 
15 
 
16 
d) Review the master plan and work with the LGUs in the mandatory 
17 
implementation and execution of the master plan; 
18 
 
19 
e) Include in its annual report to the Office of the President, the 
20 
Senate of the Philippines, and the House of Representatives a 
21 
report on the progress and accomplishments in relation to the 
22 
LLDF;  
23 
 
24 
f) Build the capabilities of the designated learning city/municipality 
25 
to 
effectively 
implement 
and 
measure 
the 
26 
achievements/outcomes of the Master Plan; and 
27 
 
28 
g) Perform such other functions that may be related to the 
29 
implementation of the LLDF. 
30 
 
31 
 
SECTION 7. Lifelong Learning National Master Plan. – Within six 
32 
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the PQF-NCC, with the 
33 
participation of relevant stakeholders, shall draw a national master plan 
34 
for the promotion of lifelong learning and the designation of learning cities 
35 
or municipalities. 
36 
 
37 


 
The master plan shall be subject to review every five (5) years, with the 
1 
participation of relevant stakeholders, and shall include the following: 
2 
 
3 
a) Medium and long-term policy objectives and basic direction for 
4 
lifelong learning promotion and the establishment of learning 
5 
cities or municipalities; 
6 
 
7 
b) Implementation of lifelong learning activities and guidelines for 
8 
the funding of lifelong educational institutions; 
9 
 
10 
c) Investment plans and budgetary requirements for the promotion 
11 
and expansion of lifelong educational institutions and learning 
12 
cities or municipalities; and 
13 
 
14 
d) Guidelines for the evaluation of lifelong education programs and 
15 
learning cities or municipalities. 
16 
 
17 
 
The PQF-NCC may consult other relevant government agencies in 
18 
the formulation of the master plan. It shall also work with the LGUs in the 
19 
mandatory implementation and execution of the master plan. 
20 
 
21 
 
SECTION 8. Designation of Learning Cities or Municipalities. – 
22 
The PQF-NCC shall designate a city or municipality as a Learning City or 
23 
Learning Municipality based on its proven capacity to carry out the 
24 
component activities and attain the success measures in accordance with 
25 
the provisions of this Act. The PQF-NCC shall also develop guidelines in 
26 
using the action components as provided under this Act to assess if a city 
27 
or municipality may qualify for designation as a learning city or 
28 
municipality. 
29 
 
30 
 
A designated Learning City or Municipality shall enjoy additional 
31 
support and funding for the following: 
32 
 
33 
a) Establishment and operation of lifelong educational institutions 
34 
and community learning centers; 
35 
 
36 
b) Cultivation and posting of certified lifelong education teachers; 
37 


 
 
1 
c) Development of lifelong education programs; and 
2 
 
3 
d) Other projects to be conducted for the promotion of citizens' 
4 
participation in lifelong education. 
5 
 
6 
 
Additionally, the PQF-NCC shall designate geographically isolated 
7 
and disadvantaged areas that desire to become learning cities and 
8 
municipalities, which shall likewise receive the assistance provided under 
9 
this Act. The PQF-NCC shall also assist them in the attainment of success 
10 
measures as indicated under this Act or thereafter amended or modified. 
11 
 
12 
 
SECTION 9. Functions of Learning Cities or Municipalities. – 
13 
Heads of LGUs designated as Learning Cities or Municipalities shall guide 
14 
and support activities for the promotion of lifelong learning, whether 
15 
initiated by the LGU or lifelong educational institutions. 
16 
 
17 
 
The LGUs designated as Learning Cities or Municipalities shall 
18 
undertake measures to institutionalize the following: 
19 
 
20 
a) Opportunities 
for 
counseling, 
coaching, 
mentoring, 
and 
21 
information-sharing on lifelong learning; 
22 
 
23 
b) Operation of lifelong learning programs; 
24 
 
25 
c) Establishment 
and 
operation 
of 
CLCs 
to 
foster 
the 
26 
implementation of lifelong educational programs and provide all 
27 
persons, especially the underprivileged, access to information 
28 
and communications technologies for e-learning, blended, 
29 
distance or open learning, and community and enterprise-based 
30 
trainings;  
31 
 
32 
d) Lifelong learning opportunities for residents within their 
33 
jurisdictions; and 
34 
 
35 
e) Guidance for all lifelong learning activities/programs for 
36 
stakeholders, including, but not limited to, private organizations. 
37 


 
 
1 
 
SECTION 10. Support and Subsidy for Lifelong Educational 
2 
Institutions. – The heads of educational institutions offering lifelong 
3 
learning shall submit an annual report to the appropriate government 
4 
agency which has jurisdiction over them, detailing the programs offered, 
5 
number of attendees, and other relevant data necessary to assess the 
6 
success of the lifelong learning program. 
7 
 
8 
 
The LGU shall appropriate an amount to ensure and guarantee that 
9 
lifelong learning in its jurisdiction shall be accessible to all residents, 
10 
including, but not limited to, women, youth, indigenous persons, and 
11 
persons with disabilities. 
12 
 
13 
 
SECTION 11. Literacy Education Programs. – The LGUs shall 
14 
endeavor to enhance basic capabilities of all Filipinos, by, among others, 
15 
developing and promoting adult literacy programs, which shall be offered 
16 
in designated schools within the learning cities or municipalities. This shall 
17 
be done in coordination with the Literacy Coordinating Council created 
18 
under Republic Act No. 7165, as amended by Republic Act No. 10122, 
19 
entitled "An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating Council by 
20 
Amending Republic Act No. 7165, Otherwise Known as "An Act Creating 
21 
the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining its Powers and Functions, 
22 
Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes", as well as the 
23 
Bureau of Alternative Education of the Department of Education, created 
24 
under Republic Act No. 11510, entitled “An Act Institutionalizing the 
25 
Alternative Learning System in Basic Education for Out-of-School 
26 
Children in Special Cases and Adults and Appropriating Funds Therefor.” 
27 
 
28 
 
SECTION 12. Lifelong Learning in Private Enterprises. – Private 
29 
corporations, institutions, workplaces and other similar establishments are 
30 
encouraged to provide inclusive lifelong learning to their employees to 
31 
ensure that their skills remain relevant and responsive to the changes of 
32 
the world or work. Private enterprises are encouraged to conduct activities 
33 
for the promotion of lifelong learning, and give consideration and/or 
34 
incentives to employees who enroll in graduate studies or in any form of 
35 
lifelong learning and continuing education by allowing revised schedules, 
36 
alternative work arrangements and adjusted workloads without 
37 


 
necessarily sacrificing the quality of work. The participation of private 
1 
enterprises in the following areas supportive of lifelong learning shall also 
2 
be promoted: 
3 
 
4 
a) Providing information to employees regarding current and future 
5 
skills needed; 
6 
 
7 
b) Updating of skills standards and curriculum responsive to 
8 
changing needs in the labor market; 
9 
 
10 
c) Development of enterprise-based and community-based skills 
11 
training and career guidance mechanisms; and 
12 
 
13 
d) Collaboration 
through 
the 
involvement 
of 
all 
relevant 
14 
stakeholders to pool expertise, resources, and funding towards 
15 
concrete upskilling and reskilling actions. 
16 
 
17 
 
The employers are also encouraged to provide scholarships and 
18 
incentives to their employees who wish to pursue lifelong learning 
19 
activities. 
20 
 
21 
 
SECTION 13. Guidelines. – The following guidelines shall be 
22 
respected at all times: 
23 
  
24 
a) All citizens shall be guaranteed equal opportunities for lifelong 
25 
learning; 
26 
 
27 
b) Lifelong learning shall be conducted based on the willingness of 
28 
the learner to voluntarily participate and study accordingly; and 
29 
 
30 
c) Lifelong learning shall not be exploited as a tool for political 
31 
propaganda or personal prejudices. 
32 
 
33 
 
SECTION 14. Appropriations. – Notwithstanding the provisions of 
34 
Sections 235 and 272 of the Local Government Code of 1991, a portion 
35 
of the Special Education Fund created under the Local Government Code 
36 
shall be used to fund the objectives of this Act within the LGUs’ respective 
37 


 
areas of jurisdiction. In addition, the amount necessary for the initial 
1 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budgets of 
2 
the concerned agencies and/or LGUs. Thereafter, the concerned 
3 
agencies and LGUs shall include in its annual budget such appropriations 
4 
as may be necessary to subsidize the continued operation of the lifelong 
5 
learning institutions and other related activities.  
6 
 
7 
 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within 
8 
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PQF-NCC shall, in 
9 
coordination with other concerned government agencies and civil society 
10 
organizations, formulate and issue the necessary rules and regulations to 
11 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
12 
 
13 
 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part or 
14 
provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
15 
parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
16 
 
17 
 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. – The relevant provisions of the 
18 
PQF Act are hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this Act. 
19 
Section 272 of the Local Government Code of 1991 is also amended 
20 
accordingly pursuant to the provisions of this Act.  
21 
 
22 
 
All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules and 
23 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
24 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
25 
 
26 
 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
27 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
28 
general circulation. 
29 
 
30 
 
Approved, 
31