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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS __)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
no6821

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House

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.

Win

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6821

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;
©) 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
9) 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;


c) Serve as a means for expanding access to educational
‘opportunities to citizens of varied interests, demographic characteristics and
socio-economic origins of status;

4) Formulate, plan, implement and coordinate the policies, plans
programs and projects for the following

(1) Primary and secondary education

(2) Nonformal 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 concemed 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,