Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Giselle Mary L. Maceda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE  
Article IX-B, Section 2(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: 
“Appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and 
fitness to be determined, as far as practicable, and, except as to positions which are 
policy-determining, primarily confidential, or highly technical, by competitive 
examination.” 
In line with this Constitutional mandate, the traditional route to civil service 
eligibility has been through the successful passing of the career service 
examinations administered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). However, 
recognizing that merit and fitness can be established through various means, 
Congress has enacted several laws that confer civil service eligibility based on 
specific qualifications or professional achievements. These include Republic Act 
No. 1080 (Bar/Board Eligibility), Republic Act No. 7883 (Barangay Health Worker 
Eligibility), and Presidential Decree No. 997 (Scientific and Technological 
Specialist Eligibility), among others. 
In recent years, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA) has significantly elevated the standards and credibility of technical and 
vocational education and training (TVET) in the Philippines. Through its 
commitment to excellence, TESDA has earned various domestic and international 
recognitions, including the ISO 9001:2015 certification from the International 
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Philippine Quality Award Level 1 
– “Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management.” These accolades affirm
that TESDA-certified graduates undergo rigorous, quality-assured training and
August 27, 2025
11:58 am
4068


competency-based assessments, making them highly skilled and job-ready 
professionals. 
In recognition of these achievements and to further institutionalize the role 
of TESDA in workforce development, this bill seeks to institutionalize and enhance 
the Skills Certificate Equivalency Program (SCEP) — a collaborative program 
between TESDA and the CSC. Through this measure, certified TVET graduates 
who are holders of National Certificates (NCs) issued by TESDA will be granted 
appropriate civil service eligibility, thereby acknowledging their skills and 
training as equivalent to merit and fitness under the civil service system. 
The enactment of this bill is a step toward broadening the inclusivity of our 
public sector workforce by providing TVET graduates with equal opportunities 
for employment in government service. It also aims to uplift the dignity of middle-
skill workers and elevate the public perception of technical and vocational 
education in the Philippines. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  REP. GISELLE MARY L. MACEDA 
 4th District, Manila City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Giselle Mary L. Maceda 
AN ACT  
INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ENHANCING THE SKILLS CERTIFICATE 
EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND 
THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the SKILLS CERTIFICATE 
EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM ACT.  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. –  The Constitution provides that appointments 
in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and fitness. To this end, 
it is hereby declared the policy of the State to institutionalize and enhance the Skills 
Certificate Equivalency Program (SCEP) and give equal opportunity to certified 
technical-vocational education and training graduates to enter the civil service, 
uplift the dignity of middle-skilled workers, and improve the image of technical 
and vocational education in the country.  
SECTION 3. Skills Certificate Equivalency Program. – A SCEP shall be established to 
grant skills eligibility to holders of Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA) National Certificates (NCs).  
The program shall involve the issuance of NCs to individuals who successfully 
demonstrate the required competence in specific qualifications. For this purpose, 
4068


 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall provide equivalent skills eligibility for 
an NC holder.  
 
 
SECTION 4. Coverage. – The benefit under this Act shall apply to those currently 
working in the government or seeking entry into the civil service for positions 
requiring eligibility for an appropriate TESDA-issued NC. 
 
 
SECTION 5. Identification of Positions that Require Skills Eligibility. – The CSC and 
TESDA shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and duly recognized 
public sector groups, identify positions that require skills, considering the 
changing requirements of the workplace and the needs of the different 
government agencies and instrumentalities in ensuring the delivery of efficient 
and effective service to the public: Provided, That the NC remains in the roster of 
promulgated national qualifications of TESDA.   
 
 
SECTION 6. Application for an Award of Eligibility. – Any holder of a TESDA-issued 
NC shall apply for skills service eligibility at any CSC office. For this purpose, the 
CSC shall ensure that designated personnel at its field offices nationwide shall be 
responsible for converting TESDA-issued NCs into appropriate skills eligibility.  
 
The CSC shall provide NC holders with an online or proxy application to make the 
law more accessible.   
 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The CSC and the TESDA shall, 
in consultation with and full participation of duly recognized public sector groups, 
jointly issue the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act 
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.  
 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations and other issuances, or any part thereof, inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.  
 
 


 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,