Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.4394

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our country is facing a deep-rooted education crisis that places the future of our children
at risk. The World Bank has reported that an alarming ninety-one percent (91%) of Filipino
children at the age of ten (10) cannot read and comprehend a simple story. Furthermore,
in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Philippines
ranked 76th in Reading and Mathematics out of the eighty-one (81) participants. ‘These
figures are not just numbers; rather, a representation of a barrier to national progress and
an impediment to young Filipinos’ development.

Ac the outset, the Philippines established the first Education Commission (EDCOM 1) in
1991, which led to the creation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), allowing the then-
Department of Education, Culture, and Sports to focus on basic education. Eventually,
EDCOM II was also established. Evidently, these agencies have played an active role in
solving issues in the education sector.

Despite efforts, issues like high dropout rates, insufficiently trained teachers, and
inadequate technology remain persistent challenges. Therefore, there is a necessity t0
establish and organize a team dedicated to addressing these problems and overseeing the
implementation of programs and measures to resolve them.

‘This bill proposes to create the Third Commission on Education (EDCOM IIl) to
continue and build on the important work of EDCOM IL. This new commission will
monitor and update our national education plans to ensure our system is at par with the
international standard and provides our students with the skills they need for the future.



By creating a permanent team of our top education and legislative leaders, EDCOM II
will provide a strong, focused group to solve these challenges. Passing this bill is a necessary
step to protect every Filipino’s right to a quality education and to invest in our people for
a better, stronger Philippines.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA.

2" District, City of Cebu

Word Bank (2028). Philipines Learning Pvry Brif 2024, be scumontsworldbank ug an publications doxwunents
S2Us35 05 pI NOT HS TILT NTELITH

Organisation for Heonomsie Co-operation and Development (OKCD). (2023). PISA 2022 Reals (Valume I andl) Country

Note: Pipes burps mle publgstions pi
explains 882424



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4394

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

AN ACT
CREATING A THIRD COMMISSION ON EDUCATION (EDCOM III),
STRENGTHENING AND CONTINUING THE MANDATE OF EDCOM II TO
ADDRESS THE NATIONAL EDUCATION CRISIS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
2 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Third Commission on
3° Education (EDCOM II) Act”

4 SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
5 make education a critical component of human capital development, socio-economic equality,
6 inclusive growth, and sustainable development. It shall formulate national education policies and
7 plans in accordance with its constitutional mandate to establish a complete, adequate, and
8 _ integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society

9 Towards this end, the State shall take appropriate steps to protect and promote the right

10 of all citizens to quality education at all levels, recognize the complementary roles of public and

11 private education, and take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all


wewune

ware

10

12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2
22
23
24
25
26

27

28

29

31

SECTION 3. Creation of EDCOM III, EDCOM III is hereby cteated to enhance and
strengthen the mandate of EDCOM II. EDCOM III shall ensure the active and direct
participation of the three education agencies, namely, the Department of Education (DepEd), the
‘Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA), with the relevant Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION 4. Objectives of EDCOM III, - EDCOM III shall have the following
objectives:

1. Ensure that the quality of Philippine education, both public and private, is at par
with international standards by aligning its curricula, teaching methodologies, and assessment
systems with global best practices;

2 Determine and address challenges and gaps in school infrastructure, learning
resources, and availability of well-trained teachers and educators to achieve the best learning
environment for learners and students at all levels; and

3. Update the national education agenda and roadmap, as may be necessary 10
integrate the recent educational developments on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and
other emerging global advancements to future-proof the education system and the country’s
workforce.

SECTION 5. Composition of EDCOM III. - Guided by the national strategic vision
on education, EDCOM III shall work towards its common goals and priorities and shall be

composed of the following:

As Co-Chairpersons:
i Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education;
ii, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational
Education;
iti. Chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture; and

iv. Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

b. As Commissioners:

i, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education;
ii, Secretary of the Department of Education;
iii, Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;

iv. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);


10
1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

v. Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals,
Innovation and Futures ‘Thinking;

vi, Chairperson of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals.

‘The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation, but travelling,
communications, and other necessary expenses shall be allowed, subject to existing laws, and rules

and regulations.

SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of EDCOM HI. - EDCOM III shall have the
following powers and functions:

2 Continue to review, monitor, and formulate an action agenda, policies, and
programs to address education challenges, with primary focus on the following: stunting, learning
poverty, high attrition rates, availability of well-trained teachers, digital infrastructure, emerging
global industries and technologies, and skills mismatch in the country;

b. Coordinate with government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other
relevant sectors to promote policy and program coherence;

Serve as a regular forum for inter-sub-sectoral consultations and proposals for
intervention to address cross-cutting policies and programs of the three sub- sectors of education,
with a focus on proposing reforms in the basic education curriculum, scholarship grants, and
voucher systems;

4 Submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of implementation of this Act;
and

Perform other functions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act

SECTION 7. Standing Committees. -'The members of the EDCOM II shall establish
from among its members standing committees, to be chaired by such members or experts from
multisectoral groups, and engage resource persons from the public and private sectors as may be
needed.

‘The standing committees shall include the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
and the Philippine Sports Commission in their respective consultations to ensure that arts and

sports education are integrated into the education system.


CoN nneune

10
n

12
13
14

1s
16
17
18
19

20
2.
22

23
24
25

26
27
28

SECTION 8. Advisory Support Council of EDCOM HI. - The Advisory Support
‘Council (ASC) of EDCOM IIT is hereby created to provide the Commission with expert assistance
and advice.

The members of the EDCOM III shall always be present at all of the Commission's
meetings. The Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall choose
recognized experts from the following sectors to form part of the ASC: two (2) members from the
academe, two (2) members from the business sector, two (2) members from parents’ associations
duly recognized by EDCOM IIL, two (2) members who are heads of LGUs, and two (2) members

from civil society organizations and development partners engaged in education.

EDCOM III shall undertake the necessary measures to ensure the broadest possible, most

inclusive and diversified composition of the ASC.

‘The members of the ASC who are government officials shall serve in the Council without
any additional emoluments, allowances, or pay, by virtue of and in connection with the positions

they have been elected to or appointed to, as the case may be.

SECTION 9. Technical Secretariat and Executive Director. -\ Technical Secretariat,
to be headed by an Executive Director (ED), shall be organized to provide technical and
administrative support to the EDCOM III in the exercise of its powers and performance of its
functions under Section 6 of this Act. The Technical Secretariat shall co-exist with the

Commission.

‘The ED to be appointed by the Commission must be a recognized expert with experience
both in the fields of education and management. The ED shall work full-time and shall have the
rank, privileges, and emoluments of an Executive Director IV (Salary Grade 29).

Subject to the review and approval of the DBM, and in accordance with existing civil
service laws, rules, and regulations, the members of EDCOM III shall determine the necessary

human resource requirements in order to fulfill its mandate under this Act.

SECTION 10. Meetings of EDCOM III. - The EDCOM III shall meet at least once
every quarter, but may be convened by its Chaispersons to such special meetings as may be

necessary. The members of the EDCOM III shall be duly notified of any meeting in advance. The


x.

Caonvranuaw

10
wa
12
13
14

15
16

17

18

19

20
21

22

first mecting of the Council shall take place within one (1) month from the effectivity of this Act,
ata time and place to be designated by the Chairpersons.

SECTION 11. The National Education Agenda. - The national education agenda
formulated by EDCOM II shall be implemented, monitored and updated by EDCOM II, as may
be necessary. An annual report on its implementation shall be submitted to the Philippine
Congress.

‘The national education agenda developed by EDCOM Il, shall be subject to further
evaluation by the other important stakeholders in education, such as the parents’ associations and

school communities.

SECTION 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation, including
any deficiency in the current year, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act

subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid ot

unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with ot

contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity.-. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,