Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.U302

Introduced by Representative Sherwin N. Tugna

AN ACT
DECLARING THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF AUGUST EVERY YEAR AS THE
NATIONAL TECH-VOC DAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For the past six years, over 10,000,000 Filipinos graduated in various tech-
Voc courses, majority of them found employment locally and abroad. Since the
creation of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on
August 25, 1994, technical vocational education and training (Tech-Voc) in the
Philippines has undergone major transformation. Today, Tech-Voc is recognized as
an important pillar in the country’s overall human resources development strategy
because it is rapid, flexible, jobs-oriented, competency-based and can easily lead
people to find employment. In fact, Tech-Voc graduates are the face of highly
competent, globally competitive and world-class Filipino workers. Hence, Tech-Voc
can be the first option, not just the fallback choice, because graduates are trained
with the relevant skills that businesses need right now. Not a long time ago, the
“Tech-Voc lang” mentality caused a second-rate status to Tech-Voc graduates. But
with the government's massive information campaign, expansion of scholarship
programs, private sector engagement, and quality-assured systems, Filipinos have
changed their outlook about Tech-Voc. Almost 2,000,000 Filipinos enrol in various
Tech-Voc courses every year which opened up a lot of opportunities for them in
terms of employment and livelihood.

Because there is a strong direct correlation between the proportion of Tech-
Voc graduates and per capita income, the Philippine government should take further
steps to promote technical and vocational training. To a country like the Philippines,
tech-voc is undeniably a tool for productivity enhancement and poverty reduction.

Indeed, there should be an observance of a “National Tech-Voc Day” in the
Philippines to give importance on the role of middle-level manpower and to uplift the
dignity of our plumbers, carpenters, welders, household workers, drivers, seamen,
cooks, dressmakers, graphic designers, call center agents, among others.

The immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

win N. Tugna


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5302

Introduced by Representative Sherwin N. Tugna

AN ACT
DECLARING THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF AUGUST EVERY YEAR AS THE
NATIONAL TECH-VOC DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. National Tech-Voc Day. — The twenty-fifth day of August every
year is hereby declared as the “National Tech-Voc Day”.

To ensure a meaningful observance of this special working holiday as herein
declared, all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including
government-owned and-controlled corporations, local government units, public and
private schools at the basic, technical-vocational, and tertiary education institutions,
employers in the private sector, industry associations, shall encourage and afford
sufficient times and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in
any activity conducted within the premises of their offices or establishments in
celebration of the “National Tech-Voc Day’.

SECTION 2. Lead Agency. — Pursuant to the “National Tech-Voc Day’, the
annual program of activities and advocacy campaign shall be prepared and
implemented with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) as the lead agencies.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,