EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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•19 JUL -2 
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SENATE 
S. B. NO. 
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Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ENHANCING THE SKILLS 
CERTIFICATE EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM (SCEP) OF THE 
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC) AND THE TECHNICAL 
EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
(TESDA) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 1080 automatically grants civil service eligibility to 
passers of bar examinations and other licensure examinations administered by 
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Several laws also grant 
appropriate civil service eligibility to qualified individuals.
This bill seeks to grant the same privilege to certified tech-voc graduates 
who are holders of National Certificates (NC) issued by the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) by institutionalizing and enhancing 
the Skills Certificate Equivalency Program (SCEP). Currently, the SCEP is a 
partnership between the TESDA and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The SCEP involves the assessment and 
certification of the 
competencies of workers through the Philippine TVET competency assessment 
and certification system. The assessment process, composed of a 
demonstration, questioning and a written test, seeks to determine whether a 
tech-voc graduate or worker can perform to the standards expected in the 
workplace. A national certificate is awarded to those who meet the competency 
standards. The entire process is only carried out in accredited TESDA centers 
with the presence of the agency’s accredited assessors.


Under the SCEP, the CSC grants the appropriate civil service eligibility 
to an NC holder who may be a government skilled worker or any individual 
seeking entrance into the civil service. An individual who possesses a valid NC 
may file an application for the conversion of his or her NC to a civil service 
eligibility at any office of the CSC nationwide.
An NC issued by TESDA is a proof of one’s expertise on a certain skill 
or set of skills. It is an assurance of the competencies of a skilled worker. Thus, 
this bill is consistent with the Constitutional policy that appointments in the civil 
service are made only according to merit and fitness.
In fact, the formulation of qualification standards follows a stringent 
process that starts from endorsement of qualifications by the industry 
stakeholders to the TESDA Board to the approval of these qualifications for the 
development of training regulations. To ensure the appropriateness and 
relevance of these training regulations, and their accompanying competency- 
assessment tools, TESDA conducts a periodic review of these training 
regulations.
Furthermore, TESDA’s nationwide ISO 9001:2008 Certification is an 
irreversible reform that can guarantee the quality of TESDA’s services. The 
agency was also awarded with the Recognition for Commitment to Quality 
Management of the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA) and now belongs to the 
roster of government offices and private organizations in the Philippines 
recognized for their performance excellence.
Hence, with a quality-assured and globally recognized tech-voc training, 
assessment and certification systems in the Philippines, there is no doubt that 
the institutionalization and enhancement of SCEP will further strengthen the 
principle of meritocracy in the government. Like a professional license issued 
by the PRC, an NC issued by TESDA forms part of the requirements being 
sought by recruitment agencies and private companies for Filipinos seeking 
employment in the country and abroad.
The passage of this bill will ensure the security of tenure of qualified 
skilled workers in the government, provide equal opportunities to middle skill 
workers to enter the civil service and, certainly, improve the image of tech-voc 
in the country.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR/aOEL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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*19 JUL -2 A11 ;44
SENATE
S. B. NO. 154
UK«. Ki Vhl ) !iV;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ENHANCING THE SKILLS CERTIFICATE 
EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM (SCEP) OF THE CIVIL SERVICE 
COMMISSION (CSC) AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND 
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representati\/es of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Skills Certificate 
Equivalency Program Act.”
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. -  The Constitution provides that 
appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and 
fitness. Towards this end. it is hereby declared the policy of the state to 
institutionalize and enhance the Skills Certificate Equivalency Program 
(SCEP). and to give equal opportunity to certified technical-vocational 
education and training (TVET) graduates to enter the civil service, uplift the 
dignity of middle skill workers, and improve the image of technical and 
vocational education in the country.
SEC. 3. Skills Certificate Equivalency Program. -  There shall be establish 
a Skills Certificate Equivalency Program (hereinafter, the Program), which 
shall grant civil service 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 shall 
successfully demonstrate the required competence in specific qualifications.
For this purpose, an NC shall be provided equivalent civil service eligibility by 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC).


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SEC. 4. Coverage. -  The benefit under this Act shall apply to those currently 
working in the government or seeking entrance into the civil service for 
positions requiring eligibility thru an appropriate TESDA-issued NC.
SEC. 5. 
Identification of Positions with Qualification Standards 
Requiring Eligibility Through TESDA-issued National Certificates. -  The
CSC and TESDA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall identify and 
regularly update the qualification standards requiring eligibility through an 
appropriate 
TESDA-issued 
NC, 
taking 
into 
account 
the 
changing 
requirements of the workplace and the needs of the government 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; 
Provided, further. That the grant of civil service eligibility shall be based on an 
unexpired NC.
SEC. 6. Application for and Award of Eligibility. -  Any holder of TESDA- 
issued NC shall file the application for civil service eligibility at any office of the 
For this purpose, the CSC shall ensure that there are designated 
personnel at its field offices nationwide who shall be responsible for the 
conversion of TESDA-issued NCs to appropriate civil service eligibilities.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The CSC and the TESDA 
shall jointly issue the implementing rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 8. 
Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, memoranda, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
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Approved,
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