Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2584 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL BOCOBO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Education is not only a fundamental right. it is also a critical driver of human capital 
development, social equity, inclusive growth, and national competitiveness. As such, it is the 
policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all 
levels and to take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.  
To fulfill this mandate, Congress has historically taken a proactive role in undertaking major 
reviews of the education sector. In 1990, the First Congressional Commission on Education 
(EDCOM I) was convened through Joint Resolution No. 2 to conduct a comprehensive 
assessment of the Philippine education system. It led to significant reforms, including the 
restructuring of the education bureaucracy into three distinct bodies namely, the Department 
of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 
Three decades later, Republic Act No. 11899 created the Second Congressional Commission 
on Education (EDCOM II) to evaluate the current state of education and recommend 
necessary policy reforms. EDCOM II has since underscored urgent issues plaguing the 
education system: high learning poverty rates, teacher shortages, skills mismatches, 
infrastructure gaps, stunting among learners, and the pressing need to adapt to global trends 
such as artificial intelligence and digital technologies. 
As EDCOM II nears the completion of its mandate, it has become clear that the work it started 
must not only continue but be sustained in a more permanent, institutionalized way. 
Addressing learning poverty and skills mismatch cannot be solved by short-term interventions. 
Reforming an entire system—one that affects learners from early childhood to adulthood—
requires long-term planning, consistent oversight, and a shared vision. 
This bill proposes the creation of the Third Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 
III) to serve precisely that purpose. It seeks to establish a sustained and institutionalized
mechanism for strategic alignment between the executive and legislative branches. EDCOM
III will continue the work of EDCOM II while serving as a platform to harmonize education
policies, align government priorities, and update the national education roadmap in step with
global trends and local realities.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
July 30, 2025
9:06 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2584 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL BOCOBO 
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 
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 "Third Commission on Education 
(EDCOM III) Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to make education 
a critical component of human capital development, socio-economic equality, inclusive growth, 
and sustainable development. It shall formulate national education policies and plans in 
accordance with its constitutional mandate to establish a complete, adequate, and integrated 
system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society. 
Towards this end, the State shall take appropriate steps to protect and promote the right of all 
citizens to quality education at all levels, recognize the complementary roles of public and 
private education, and take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. 
Sec. 3. Creation of EDCOM III. - EDCOM III is hereby created 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. 
Sec. 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 to
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.


Sec. 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: 
 
a. 
As Co-Chairpersons: 
 
i. 
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education; 
ii. 
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational 
Education; 
iii. 
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); 
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. 
 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of EDCOM III. - EDCOM III shall have the following powers 
and functions: 
 
a. 
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; 
c. 
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; 
d. 
Submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of implementation of this Act; 
and 
e. 
Perform other functions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
Sec. 7. Standing Committees. - The members of the EDCOM III 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. 
 


Sec. 8. Advisory Support Council of EDCOM III. - The Advisory Support Council (ASC) of 
EDCOM III 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 III, 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. 
 
Sec. 9. Technical Secretariat and Executive Director. - A 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. 
 
Sec. 10. Meetings of EDCOM III. - The EDCOM III shall meet at least once every quarter, but 
may be convened by its Chairpersons to such special meetings as may be necessary.  The 
members of the EDCOM III shall be duly notified of any meeting in advance.  The first meeting 
of the Council shall take place within one (1) month from the effectivity of this Act, at a time 
and place to be designated by the Chairpersons. 
 
Sec. 11. The National Education Agenda. - The national education agenda formulated by 
EDCOM II shall be implemented, monitored and updated by EDCOM III, as may be necessary. 
An annual report on its implementation shall be submitted to the Philippine Congress.  
 
The national education agenda developed by EDCOM II, shall be subject to further evaluation 
by the other important stakeholders in education, such as the parents’ associations and school 
communities. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 


Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative 
orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,