NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1948
of the g; ■ r: ftnr^
23 MAR-1 P3:14
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND 
ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA, 
SIARGAO ISLAND, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE, TO BE 
KNOWN AS THE SIARGAO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE TESDA 
TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, under Article XIV, Section 1 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."
In 2019, Siargao was voted the best island in the world by Conde Nast 
Traveler— with a population of roughly 200,000 people and a remote, untouched feel, 
Siargao has been luring visitors from far and wide with its pristine, white beaches, 
excellent surfing conditions, and peaceful, tropical atmosphere. The influx of tourists 
in the island and the development, demands the creation of a training center to equip 
its residents with the necessary skills in entrepreneurship and other forms of trade, 
commerce and industry.
Hence, this bill aims to establish a Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA) Training and Assessment Center in the Municipality of Dapa, Siargao 
Island, Province of Surigao del Norte. This measure seeks to improve the quality of life 
of the people in the Province as well as to provide sustainable livelihood for the 
community's underprivileged sector.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
y^EE R. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1 948
o( llif & ! i;
23 mar-1 P3:14
RliCElVED 3V:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND 
ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA,
SIARGAO ISLAND, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE, TO BE 
KNOWN AS THE SIARGAO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE TESDA 
TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Siargao, Surigao del
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Norte TESDA Training and Assessment Center Act".
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SEC. 2. Establishment. - There is hereby established a Technical Education
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and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training and Assessment Center in the
5 
Municipality of Dapa, Siargao Island, Province of Surigao del Norte, under the
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supervision of the TESDA, to be known as the Siargao, Surigao del Norte TESDA
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Training and Assessment Center. It shall be established in a highly accessible location
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in the Municipality of Dapa, Siargao Island, Province of Surigao del Norte, pursuant to
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the purposes of this Act and to the mutual agreement of the TESDA and the concerned
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local government units (LGUs).
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SEC. 3. General Mandate. - The Siargao, Surigao del Norte TESDA Training
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and Assessment Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, shall primarily provide
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technical-vocational education and training (TVET) programs to students, local
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residents from low-income families, and out-of-school youths, including persons with
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disabilities and indigenous peoples, in the Municipality of Dapa, Siargao Island and
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neighboring localities in the Province of Surigao del Norte, to help them become
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productive, self-reliant and globally competitive labor assets.
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The Center shall provide effective employment interventions through training
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programs on relevant skills trade competencies, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship
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activities needed to deliver the effective employment interventions that will help
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hasten the development of the host area and adjacent localities in the Province of
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Surigao del Norte into human resource and productivity hubs.
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The Center shall serve as TESDA-accredited Assessment Center for acquired
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competencies in TVET programs in Siargao Island, and adjacent localities in the
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Province of Surigao del Norte. It shall also provide teachers' training and curriculum
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design assistance to the secondary schools offering the technical-vocational livelihood
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track under the K to 12 Program, in coordination with the Department of Education
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and the TESDA.
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SEC. 4. Training Programs. - The Center shall offer short-term certificate
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courses and modular trainings in preferred technical-vocational skills and trades
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specialization. To this end, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology
13 
(DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local
14 
Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), business-
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industry partners, and other relevant agencies and instrumentalities, both local and
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international, shall provide the necessary assistance to enable the Center to develop
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skilled manpower to achieve a robust inclusive economy in the host area and its
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adjacent localities.
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The Center may establish research and technology hubs, technology
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development farms, satellite or extension training centers, and promote mobile
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training programs to strengthen linkages among the industry partners, the academe,
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and the Center geared towards the acquisition of practical livelihood, employable skills,
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gainful employment, and entrepreneurship in priority areas in Siargao Island, and
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adjacent localities in the Province of Surigao del Norte.
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The Center shall offer the following TVET programs with competencies
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assessment leading to National Certification Levels Mil:
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(a) Skills training in industrial technology and hard trades such as metal and
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steelwork, machine fabrication and operation, heavy equipment operation, automotive
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mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics, and operation of power tools
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and equipment for both medium skills grade and industrial purposes;
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(b) Agriculture and aquaculture-related trainings and skills development in such
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areas as farming technology, fishing operations technology, backyard farming and
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home-based aquaculture and the propagation innovations, mechanized farm, fishing
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tools and equipment operation, agribusiness, agri-aqua trade technology and
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innovations, and relevant farmers and fisherfolk's trainings for increased productivity
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and entrepreneurship;
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(c) Livelihood skills development courses for preferred skills employment and
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small-scale entrepreneurship, including practical skills education in arts and crafts,
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workmanship and design, high-speed sewing, dressmaking and tailoring, horticulture,
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livestock raising and breeding, food processing technology, home technology, culinary
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arts and commercial cooking, cosmetology, and health and wellness training;
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(d) Basic business literacy training in financial management, marketing,
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practical accountancy, bookkeeping, office procedures, business processes and
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application procedures including registration, licensing, documentation, business


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patent and intellectual property regulation, business financing and investment 
opportunities sourcing, import-export accreditation, online home-based business 
operation, and use of social media business marketing;
(e) Technical-vocational occupation and trades skills such as carpentry, 
masonry, plumbing, welding, practical electricity and installation, automotive 
servicing, electronics servicing, personal computer servicing, and such other relevant 
practical skills courses;
8 
(f) Computer literacy and information technology-related skills, digital
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technology, web design, animation, photoshop/online photography, computer design,
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and advertising;
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(g) Social communication skills and language proficiency courses in English and
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other languages for business process outsourcing employment and overseas job
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placement;
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(h) Seminars on personality development, career counseling, job placement,
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and work ethic and values; and
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(i) Other preferred skills and trades training that may be needed by the people
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of Siargao Island, and of the other localities in the Province of Surigao del Norte to
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enhance their capacities for practical livelihood, gainful employment, and
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entrepreneurial activities.
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SEC. 5. Compliance with TESDA Requirements. - The provisions of this Act
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notwithstanding, the Center shall become operational only upon the determination
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and certification by the TESDA, through the issuance of a formal recommendation and
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certificate of compliance, that the Center has satisfactorily complied with the minimum
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quality standards prescribed by the TESDA governing the following:
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(a) Standard procedures and guidelines for the establishment and operation of
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a Center;
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(b) Operational sustainability of the Center, in terms of licensed faculty-trainers
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and personnel, equipment, training and laboratory facilities, instructional materials,
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and other standard requirements of a Center;
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(c) Sustainable funding source and allocation of the budgetary requirement;
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(d) Assurance that the training programs offered are fully aligned with the
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minimum standards of competency-based quality technical-vocational skills
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technology and the needs of the host area and adjacent communities served within
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the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration and the
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Philippine Qualifications Framework for TVET; and
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(e) Compliance with such other TESDA conditionalities and standards, as may
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be necessary and applicable in establishing a Center.
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SEC. 6. Administration. - The Center shall be headed by a Technical-Vocational
39 
Administrator who shall be under the supervision of the TESDA, render full-time
40 
service and be responsible for its administration and operation.


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The Technical-Vocational Administrator shall be appointed by the TESDA
2 
Director General in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Civil Service
3 
Commission and the qualification requirements for such office.
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The Technical-Vocational Administrator shall enter into agreements with locally-
5 
based private and public counterpart agencies or instrumentalities and persons,
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subject to the approval of the TESDA Director General, for such assistance as may be
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necessary to effectively implement this Act.
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SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The TESDA Director General shall include in the
9 
Authority's program the operation of the Center, the funding of which shall be included 
10 in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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The LGUs concerned, in consultation with the TESDA, shall set aside from any
12 
available local revenue an amount deemed appropriate as annual counterpart fund to
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support the operation of the Center herein established.
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SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after
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the approval of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, DTI, DOST,
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DA, Department of Budget and Management, DILG, NEDA, concerned LGUs, and such
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other relevant agencies and industry-business partners of the host locality, prepare
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and issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
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Act.
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of
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this Act shall be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions
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thereof shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
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rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
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repealed or amended accordingly.
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SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,