TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 1 of Article XIV (Education) of the Constitution provides, in part, that the State 
shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all.  Likewise, the State is directed 
by the Constitution to “establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated 
system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.”   
This bill seeks to create the National Education Coordinating Council in order to 
integrate, coordinate and interface the program and policies of the formal and non-formal 
educational system. 
In the Philippines, the system of education is implemented by the Department of 
Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).  These three agencies are independent 
bodies and supreme in their respective realm of responsibilities.  As such, they have their own 
distinct set of policies and programs which sometimes clash with each other, thus adversely 
affecting the educational system in the country.  Hence, there is an imperative need to 
coordinate the activities and functions of the three agencies to better implement the programs 
and policies set by the national government relative to the operations and management of the 
educational system. 
The measure proposes to establish the National Coordinating Council which will act 
as the over-all advisory and coordinating body for all literacy endeavors and human resource 
development program of the country.  It is an inter-agency body composed of representatives 
of the three agencies of education and various government agencies.  The Council is tasked 
to ensure a coherent, integrated, proficient and responsive educational system in the country. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 21, 2025
2:51 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL EDUCATION COORDINATING COUNCIL, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “National Education 
Coordinating Council Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. –  It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote 
the rights of all citizens to affordable quality formal education at all levels and to relevant and 
efficient technical education and skills development opportunities responsive to and in 
accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities.  For this purpose, it shall 
maintain a coordinating body which shall integrate, coordinate and interface the programs and 
policies of the formal and non-formal educational systems. 
SEC. 3.  National Education Coordinating Council. –  There is hereby created a National 
Education Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council,” which shall integrate 
and coordinate the policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-
formal education at all levels in order to establish and maintain a complete, adequate and 
comprehensive system of education relevant to the goals of national development. 
SEC. 4. Composition. – The Council shall be composed of the following: 
a) The Secretary of Education, as Chairman;
b) Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, as Vice Chairman;
c) Chairman of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;
d) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority or a
representative;
e) Secretary of Labor and Employment or his representative;
f)
Secretary of Science and Technology or his representative; and
g) Secretary of Trade and Industry or his representative, as members.
SEC. 5.  Duties and Functions. – The Council shall exercise the following duties and 
functions: 
a)
Act as the  overall advisory and coordinating body providing policy and
program directions for all formal and non-formal educational systems, particularly 
technical education and skills development program; 
b)
Coordinate with the participating agencies represented in the Council in
providing opportunities for the acquisition of skills necessary to enhance and ensure 
continuing employability, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in the labor 
market;  
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c) Serve as a means for expanding access to educational opportunities to 
citizens of varied interests, demographic characteristics and socio-economic origins of 
status; 
d)  Formulate, plan, implement and coordinate the policies, plans programs and 
projects for the following: 
(1)    Primary and secondary education 
(2)   Non-formal education, vocational and technical education 
and skills development 
(3)   Higher education 
e)  Formulate and coordinate the implementation of policies on matters of 
common interest to the various departments and agencies of the government 
concerned with the formal and non-formal education and make recommendations to 
the President in connection therewith; and 
f)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act. 
 
SEC. 6.  Meetings. – Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least once a month.  
Special meetings may be held as often as may deemed necessary: Provided, That in the 
absence or incapacity of the members to attend any regular or special meeting of the Council, 
the duly designated representative of the member shall attend and be vested with the same 
power and authority as a regular member. 
A quorum of the Council shall consist of four (4) members holding office at the time of 
the meeting: Provided, however, That the chairperson of the Council is among those present 
in the meeting. 
 
SEC. 7. Compensation. – The member of the Council shall be entitled to per diems and 
honoraria as may be approved by the Council.  They shall serve without service credit, benefit 
or pay except the approved per diems and honoraria. 
 
SEC. 8.  Secretariat. – The Council shall have a permanent secretariat which shall be under 
the supervision and control of the Chairperson of the Council.  The Council shall determine 
the administrative personnel and research staff as it may deem necessary for the proper 
discharge of its functions and responsibilities.  All the appointments shall be made by the 
Chairperson subject to existing civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the date of the 
effectivity of this Act, the Council shall convene to formulate the rules and regulations 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Appropriation. – The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is 
hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary to implement shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 11.  Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 12.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in 
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,