TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. 1858
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
AN ACT  
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION (DepTeTC), APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA) was established through the enactment of Republic Act No. 
7796 otherwise known as the "Technical Education and Skills 
Development Act of 1994" with the aim to encourage the full participation 
of and mobilize the industry, labor, local government units and technical 
vocational institutions in the skills development of the country's human 
resources. 
The said Act integrated the functions of the former National 
Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC), the Bureau of Technical-
Vocational Education of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports 
(BTVE-DECS) and the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of 
Labor and Employment (DOLE) as a result of a national review of the 
state of Philippine education and manpower development which was 
undertaken by the Congressional Commission on Education back in 
1991. 
TESDA has been the leading authority managing technical skills 
education in the Philippines. Its major thrust is the formulation of a 
comprehensive development plan for middle-level manpower based on 
the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan that 
includes apprenticeship, dual training system and other similar schemes. 
TESDA is also improving its language course offerings in 
partnership with foreign embassies and international organizations 
consistent with the strategy to reposition technical vocational education 
and training (TVET) for global competitiveness. The language-related 
courses —Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Italian and French —will be added 
to the existing courses under its National Skills Language Center (NLSC). 
July 14, 2025
1:36 pm




1 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. 1858
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION (DepTeTC), 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 "Department 
of Technical Education Training and Certification (DepTeTC)." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. — It is hereby declared 
the policy of the State to provide relevant, accessible, high quality and 
efficient technical education, training and certification in support of the 
development of high-quality Filipino manpower responsive to and in 
accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities. 
The State shall encourage active participation of various concerned 
sectors, public as well as private tech-voc institutions particularly private 
enterprises, being direct participants in and immediate beneficiaries of a 
technically educated and trained workforces, in providing technical 
education services and training opportunities. 
It is the goal and objective of this Act to: 
a. Promote and strengthen the quality of technical education and
training programs to attain global competitiveness.
b. Focus technical education and training and certification on
meeting the changing demands for quality manpower particularly
in support of the industrialization thrust of the country;
c. Encourage critical and creative thinking by disseminating the
scientific 
and 
technical 
knowledge 
base 
of 
manpower
development programs;


 
2 
d. Recognize and encourage the complementary roles of public and 
private institutions in technical education and skills development 
and training systems; 
 
e.  Inculcate desirable values through the development of moral 
character with emphasis on work ethic, self-discipline, self-
reliance, and nationalism; 
 
f.  Strongly 
support 
the 
implementation 
of 
the 
Philippine 
Qualification Framework (E.O. 83 s. 2012), the Ladderized 
Education Program (RA 10647) and the Dual Technical Training 
System (R.A. 7686); 
 
g.  Maximize returns to the country's investment in technical 
education and training through   an efficient graduates' 
employment facilitation program within the framework of the 
national employment service network system; and 
 
h. Help in the poverty alleviation efforts by providing the marginalized 
and vulnerable segments of the country's population access to 
income 
generating 
Technical 
Education 
and 
Training 
opportunities. 
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act: 
 
a. "Skill" shall mean the acquired and practiced ability to carry out a 
task or job; 
 
b. "Skills Development" shall mean the process through which 
learners and workers are systematically provided with learning 
opportunities to acquire or upgrade, or both, their ability, 
knowledge and behavior pattern required as qualifications for a job 
or range of jobs in a given occupational area. 
 
c. "Technical Education" shall refer to the education process 
designed at upper secondary and lower tertiary levels, aligned with 
the levels of the PQF, with the pathways to higher education 
through the credit transfer system based on learning outcomes 
aimed at preparing technicians, technologists, para-professionals 
and other categories of workers and/or entrepreneurs by providing 
them with a broad range of general education, theoretical, scientific 
and technological studies,  and related job skills training. 
 
d. "Trade" shall mean any group of interrelated jobs or any 
occupation which is traditionally or officially recognized as craft or 
artisan in nature requiring specific qualifications that can be 
acquired through work experience and/or training. 
 
e. "Middle-Level Manpower" refers to those: 
 


 
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i. who have acquired practical skills and knowledge through 
formal or non-formal education and training equivalent to at 
least a secondary education but preferably at post-secondary 
education with a corresponding degree of diploma; or  
 
ii. skilled workers who have become highly competent in their 
trade or craft as attested by industry. 
 
f. Private Enterprises" refers to an economic system under which 
property of all kinds can be privately owned and in which 
individuals, alone or in association with another, can embark on a 
business activity. This includes industrial, agricultural, or agro-
industrial 
establishments 
engaged 
in 
the 
production, 
manufacturing, processing, repacking or assembly of goods 
including service-oriented enterprises.  
 
g. "Trainers" shall mean persons who direct the practice of skills 
towards immediate improvement in some tasks.  
 
h. "Training" is teaching or developing oneself or others, any skills 
and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies.  
 
i. "Trainors/trainers" shall mean persons who provide training to 
trainers aimed at developing the latter’s capacities for imparting 
attitudes, knowledge, skills and behavior patterns required for 
specific jobs, tasks, occupations or group of related occupations. 
 
j. Trainees" shall mean persons who are participants in a vocational, 
administrative or technical training program for the purpose of 
acquiring and developing job-related skills.  
 
k.  "Apprenticeship" training within employment with compulsory 
related theoretical instruction involving a contract between an 
apprentice and an employer on an approved apprenticeable 
occupation.  
 
l. "Apprentice" is a person undergoing training for an approved 
apprenticeable occupation during an apprenticeship agreement. 
 
m.  "Apprenticeship Agreement" is a contract wherein a prospective 
employer binds himself to train the apprentice who in tum accepts 
the terms of training for a recognized apprenticeable occupation 
emphasizing the rights, duties and responsibilities of each party.  
 
n.  "Apprenticeable Occupation" is an occupation officially endorsed 
by a tripartite body and approved for apprenticeable by the 
Authority. 
 


 
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o.  "Learners" refers to persons hired as trainees in semi-skilled and 
other industrial occupations which are non-apprenticeable. 
Learnership programs must be approved by the Authority. 
 
p. "User-Led" or "Market-Driven Strategy" refers to a strategy which 
promotes strengthened linkages between educational/training 
institutions and industry to ensure that appropriate skills and 
knowledge are provided by the educational system. 
 
q. "Dual System/Training" refers to a delivery system of quality 
technical and vocational education which requires training to be 
carried out alternately in two venues: in-school and in the 
production plant. ln- school training provides the trainee the 
theoretical foundation, basic training, guidance, and human 
formation, while in-plant training develops his skills and proficiency 
in actual work conditions as it continues to inculcate personal 
discipline and work values. 
 
r. “Levy Grant System" refers to a legal contribution from 
participating employers who would be beneficiaries of the program 
(often as a percentage of the payroll) which is subsequently turned 
over or rebated to enterprises offering employee training 
programs. 
 
s. "Leading Technology Centers" refers to centers that provide high 
quality and efficient technical education, training and certification 
in support of the development of high-quality Filipino manpower 
responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development 
goals and priorities. 
 
t. "Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF)' is a national policy 
which describes the levels of educational qualifications and sets 
the standards for qualifications outcomes. It is a quality assured 
national system for the development, recognition, and award of 
qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills, and values 
acquired in different ways and methods by learners and workers of 
a certain country. 
 
u. "Laddered education" refers to the harmonization of all education 
and training mechanisms that allow students and workers to 
progress between technical vocational programs and higher 
education programs, or vice-versa. It opens opportunities for 
career and educational advancement to students and workers.  It 
creates a seamless and borderless education and training system 
that will allow transfers in terms of flexible entry and exit between 
technical-vocational and higher education programs in the post-
secondary school system. 
 
SEC. 4. Creation of a Department of Technical Education and 
Training (DepTeTC). — There is hereby created a Department of 


 
5 
Technical Education and Training (DepTeTC), hereinafter referred to as 
the Department, which shall replace and absorb the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) created under Republic  Act 
No. 7796, as amended, and implement the policies of this Act. 
 
SEC. 5. Jurisdiction of the Department — The Department shall be the 
primary policy formulation, planning, coordinating, implementing, 
regulating and administrative entity of the Government for technical 
education, training and certification agenda. 
 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — Other than the powers and functions 
of the TESDA Board under Section 8 of R.A. 7796, the Department shall 
have the following powers, functions and responsibilities: 
 
a. Formulate and recommend national policies and guidelines and 
conduct in-depth studies on all policy areas and options that will 
promote technical education, training, and certification in 
consultation with the relevant stakeholders; 
 
b. Assess, review, harmonize and coordinate all technical education, 
training, and certification policies and programs to ensure overall 
consistency and implementation of the national policies; 
 
c. Organize and constitute various standing committees, subsidiary 
groups, or technical working groups for efficient integration, 
coordination and monitoring technical education, training, and 
certification development programs at the national, regional, and 
local levels; 
 
d. Enter into, make, execute, perform and carry-out domestic and 
foreign contracts subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; 
 
e. Restructure the entire sub-sector consisting of all institutions and 
programs involved in the promotion and development of middle-
level manpower through upgrading, merger and/or phase-out 
following a user-led strategy; 
 
f. Approve training standards and assessment packages as 
established and conducted by private industries; 
 
g. Establish and administer a system of accreditation of both public 
and private institutions; 
 
h. Establish, develop and support institutions' trainors' training and/or 
programs; 
 
i. Exact reasonable fees and charges for such tests and trainings 
conducted and retain such earnings for its own use, subject to 
guidelines promulgated by the Department; 
 


 
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j. Allocate resources for the programs and subjects it shall undertake 
pursuant to approved National Technical Education and Training 
Plan; 
 
k. Determine and approve systematic funding schemes such as the 
Levy and Grant scheme for technical education and training 
purposes; 
 
l. Create, when deemed necessary, an Advisory Committee which 
shall provide expert and technical advice to the Secretary to be 
chosen from the academe and the private sector: Provided, That 
in case the Advisory Committee is created, the Department is 
hereby authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for its 
operation; and 
 
m. Promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation on its 
policies and related laws; 
 
n. To perform such other functions as maybe needed to achieve its 
goals and objectives to the fullest and as may be provided by this 
Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Power to Review and Recommend Action. - The Department 
shall review and recommend action to concerned authorities on proposed 
technical assistance programs and grants-in-aid for technical education 
or training, or both, including those which may be entered into between 
the Government of the Philippines and other nations, including 
international and foreign organizations, both here and abroad. 
 
SEC. 8. Composition. — The Department shall be headed by a 
Secretary. The Department proper shall be composed of the Office of the 
Secretary, the Offices of Undersecretaries, and Assistant Secretaries 
and Regional and Assistant Regional Directors. 
 
The TESDA Board created under Sections 6 and 7 of R.A. 7796 is 
hereby abolished. 
 
SEC. 9. Secretary of Technical Education, Training and Certification. 
-  The Secretary shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of 
the Philippines, subject to confirmation by the Commission on 
Appointments. The Secretary shall have the following functions: 
 
a.  Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire 
operations of the Department and its attached agencies; 
 
b. Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and 
economical operation of the Department, in accordance with the 
programs of the government; 
 


 
7 
c. Review and approve request for financial and manpower 
resources of all operating offices of the Department; 
 
d. Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department, 
excluding the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, 
Regional and Assistant Regional Directors, in accordance with the 
Civil Service laws, rules and regulations; 
 
e.  Coordinate with LGUs, other government agencies and public and 
private interest groups, including non-government organizations 
(NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) on Department policies 
and initiatives; 
 
f. Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM) an estimate of the necessary 
expenditures of the Department during the next fiscal year; 
 
g. Undertake consultations with other members of the Cabinet and 
officers of the government relating to technical education, training, 
and certification development concerns; 
 
h. Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and 
administrative orders and formulation of regulatory and legislative 
proposals on matters pertaining to technical education, training, 
and certification development; 
 
i. Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances in carrying out 
the Department's mandate, objective, policies, plans, programs 
and projects; and 
 
j. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or 
assigned by the President. 
 
SEC. 10. Undersecretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by three 
(3) Undersecretaries who shall be appointed by the President upon 
recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, That two (2) of the 
Undersecretaries shall be career officers. 
 
SEC. 11. Assistant Secretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by 
three (3) Assistant Secretaries who shall be appointed by the President 
upon recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, That two (2) of the 
Assistant Secretaries shall be career officers. 
 
SEC. 12. Qualifications. — No person shall be appointed Secretary, 
Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he or 
she is a resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven 
integrity, and with at least seven (7) years of relevant experience. 
 
SEC. 13. Bureaus, Services, and Personnel. — The Department in 
addition to the offices of the Secretary, Undersecretaries and Assistant 


 
8 
Secretaries shall be composed of the following Bureaus/Services to be 
headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the President upon 
the recommendation of the Secretary. The Executive Directors shall have 
the rank and emoluments of a Director IV. 
 
 
A. Planning Bureau (P.B.) 
 
i. 
Designs 
and 
establishes 
planning 
processes 
and 
methodologies which will particularly enhance the efficiency 
of resource allocation decisions within the technical 
education and training sector; 
 
ii. 
Orchestrates the formulation of the National Technical 
Education 
and 
Training 
Plan/Sectoral 
Plan/Regional/ProvinciaI and maintains annual periodic 
review and updating of the plans; 
 
iii. 
Orchestrates legislative liaisoning and coordination; 
 
iv. 
Maintains existing and establishes new frameworks to 
optimize the roles of the sub-national TET Committees; 
 
v. 
Conducts fora, researches, studies and develops labor and 
education and training market information and knowledge 
management systems for effective and efficient planning 
and policy making within the sector; 
 
vi. 
Prepares and issues Labor Market Intelligence Reports 
(LMIR) on a regular basis; 
 
vii. 
Conducts Impact Evaluation Studies (IES) of Technical 
Education Training and Certification programs; 
 
viii. 
Initiates and mobilizes external TETC financing from local 
and international bodies in support of the broad investments 
and development programs under the NTETP and the 
corporate plan; 
 
ix. 
Designs and develops special projects for foreign 
assistance 
 
B. Partnerships and Employment Facilitation Bureau (PEFB) 
 
i. 
Establishes and maintains effective and efficient institutional 
arrangements with partners and stakeholders to provide 
direct participation in the various functions of the 
Department and access to TETC programs and services; 
  


 
9 
ii. 
Develops and implements placement schemes designed for 
the effective utilization of TET graduates either through 
wage and self-employment using partnership and linkages 
with various employers and industries within the framework 
of the national employment service network; 
 
iii. 
Provides technical assistance and training support to the 
network of DepTETC employment facilitation centers all 
over the country; 
 
iv. 
Establishes and maintains linkages with industry groups, 
employers, 
workers, 
academe, 
civil 
society 
organizations/NGOs, NGAs, LGUs, basic sectors and 
national and international networks and organizations 
related to TE and T; 
 
v. 
Conducts studies on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and 
similar arrangements in aid of policy making; 
 
vi. 
Engages partners/stakeholders in the identification and 
prioritization of the skills needs of the basic sectors for skills 
training and employment opportunities; 
 
vii. 
 Develops and administer systems and procedures in the 
monitoring and evaluation of programs related to 
partnerships, linkages and placement; 
 
viii. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
C.  Incentives and Scholarship Bureau 
 
i. 
Develops 
and 
implements 
incentive 
schemes 
and 
packages to encourage the participation of employers and 
workers in technical education and training in industry; 
  
ii. 
Develops and implements scholarship and grant packages 
designed to provide access to the Departments clientele 
particularly the unemployed, underemployed, the working 
poor and the marginalized; 
 
iii. 
Develops and administer systems and procedures in the 
monitoring and evaluation of programs related to incentive 
and scholarship administration; 
 
iv. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
 


 
10 
D. National Institute for Technical Education and Training 
(NITET) 
 
i. 
Recommends policies and guidelines for the maintenance 
and enhancement of the efficiency and effectiveness in the 
management and operations of the TETC delivery in 
schools, centers, enterprises and communities within 
acceptable standards set; 
 
ii. 
Serves as the technology research and development arm 
of the government in the field of TET; 
 
iii. 
Develops, orchestrates the implementation of continuing 
development 
programs 
for 
trainers, 
teachers 
and 
instructors, panners/stakeholders in the TET sector; 
 
iv. 
Develops and orchestrates the implementation of a national 
career guidance program and system; 
 
v. 
Conducts studies and researches, formulates policies and 
guidelines for the optimum/sustainable utilization of existing 
specialized training centers/institutions (e.g. KorPhil, 
TTCTCE, TWC, LSI and other centers of technical 
excellence; 
 
vi. 
Identifies appropriate venues, from the network of public 
and private TET providers, as laboratory and pilot-
testing/incubation sites in the development of training 
regulation, competency standards, assessment tools, 
curricula, learning materials, mock-ups and simulators; 
 
vii. 
Promote and conduct an annual national skills competition 
and handles the participation of the country in international 
skills tilts; 
 
viii. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
E.  Qualification and Standards Bureau (QSB) 
 
i. 
Conducts 
research 
and 
development 
on 
various 
occupational areas in order to recommend policies, rules 
and regulations for effective and efficient competency 
standardization, assessment and certification system in the 
country; 
 
ii. 
Establishes and implements a system of accrediting experts 
from private enterprises, group of workers' associations and 
public 
institutions 
for 
the 
development/updating 
of 
competency standards, curriculum exemplars; 


 
11 
 
iii. 
In collaboration with industry bodies, develops and 
establishes 
a 
national 
system 
of 
competency 
standardization and development for TET in the country; 
 
iv. 
Facilitates the development, validation and evaluation of 
competency standards in identified appropriate venues 
from the network of public and private TET providers; 
 
v. 
Maintains the Philippine TVET Qualifications Framework 
(PTQF) as part of the Philippine Qualifications Framework 
(PQF); 
 
vi. 
Responsible 
for 
international 
benchmarking 
and 
comparability of standards with other economies/countries; 
and 
 
vii. 
Performs such other powers and functions as may be 
authorized. 
 
F.  Accreditation and Certification Bureau (ACB) 
 
i. 
Develops, maintains, and manages the national assessment 
and certification program, systems and procedures; 
 
ii. 
Establishes and maintains the implementation of a quality-
assured system of accrediting trainers, assessors and 
assessment centers in partnership with industries, training 
centers/institutions; 
 
iii. 
Establishes and maintains a system of registering, accrediting 
TET programs/providers in the schools, centers, enterprises 
and communities;  
 
iv. 
Undertakes compliance review and rating system of TESD 
programs implemented by various TVls; 
 
v. 
Keeps custody of pertinent assessment and certification 
records and maintains a registry of Certified Workers, 
Trainers, and Accredited Competency Assessors and 
Accredited Competency Assessment Centers; 
 
vi. 
Maintains a compendium of registered TESD programs; 
 
vii. 
Conduct researches/studies to ensure quality delivery and 
implementation of assessment and certification and program 
registration; 
 


 
12 
viii. 
Develops mechanisms to continuously ensure integrity of the 
assessment and certification and program registration; and 
 
ix. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
G.  Administrative Service (AS) 
 
i. 
Provides overall policies, systems, programs and guidelines 
in the area of human resource management and 
development, procurement management, legal management, 
building and facilities maintenance, records management and 
cash management; 
 
ii. 
Establishes 
a 
monitoring 
and 
reporting 
system 
on 
administrative services; 
 
iii. 
Orchestrates the implementation, review and redevelopment 
of HRD Plan in support of the Corporate Plan and the NTTDP; 
 
iv. 
Leads in the establishment and implementation of integrated 
HR systems; 
 
v. 
Provides administrative, general and legal services; and  
 
vi. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
H.  Financial and Management Service (FMS) 
 
i. 
Orchestrates and supports the implementation of the agency 
quality management systems (QMS); 
 
ii. 
Provides overall policies, systems, programs and guidelines 
on the management and utilization of Department's financial 
resources; 
 
iii. 
Establishes a monitoring and reporting system on the 
management and utilization of Department's financial 
resources; and 
 
iv. 
Performs such other functions as maybe authorized. 
 
I.  Internal Control and Quality Management Service 
 
i. 
Develops and implements internal performance and process 
standards to ensure personnel and organizational efficiency 
and effectiveness;  
 
ii. 
Monitors and ensure the maintenance of the ISO status of the 
Department and/or its subdivisions; 


 
13 
 
iii. 
Performs other functions as maybe authorized; 
 
SEC. 14. Regional Offices. — The Regional Offices shall be headed by 
Regional Directors with the rank and emoluments of Director IV to be 
appointed by the President. The Regional Offices shall be under the direct 
control of the Secretary and shall have the following functions: 
 
a. 
Directs implementation of technical education, training, and 
certification programs, projects and related activities in the 
region; 
 
b. 
Develops and recommends technical education, training, and 
certification programs for local level implementation within set 
policies; 
 
c. 
Deploys policies to stakeholders; 
 
d. 
Manages technical education, training, and certification 
resources in the region; 
 
e. 
Plans and implements policy inputs; and 
 
f. 
Performs other functions as may be authorized. 
 
SEC. 15. The Provincial / District Offices. — The Provincial/District 
Offices shall be headed by Provincial/District Directors who shall have the 
rank and emoluments of a Director Ill. The Provincial Offices shall have 
the following functions: 
 
a. 
Serves as secretariat to the Provincial technical education and 
training Committees; 
 
b. 
Provides technical assistance to the LGUs for effective 
supervision, coordination, integration of all technical education 
and training programs within their localities; 
 
c. 
Reviews and recommends priority technical education and 
training programs within their localities; and 
 
d. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
SEC. 16. Schools and Centers. — The Technical Education and 
Training delivery of the Department composed of leading technology 
centers, demonstration as well as regular institutions shall have the 
following functions: 
 
a. 
Provide demonstration of leading training technology or regular 
technical education and training programs relevant to the needs 


 
14 
of the economy as well as specific groups considered as 
marginalized and/or vulnerable in accordance with the national 
technical education, training, and certification agenda; 
 
b. 
Conducts applied research and development programs and 
provides extension services in coordination with ROs/POs; 
 
c. 
Conducts outreach programs in coordination with ROs/POs; 
 
d. 
Initiates resource and income-generation programs; and 
 
e. 
Performs such other functions as may be authorized. 
 
 
SEC. 17. Compliance with the Salary Standardization Law. — The 
compensation and emoluments of the officials and employees of the 
Department shall be in accordance with the salary standardization law 
and other applicable laws under the national compensation and 
classification plan. 
 
SEC. 18. Consultants and Technical Assistance, Publication and 
Research. - In pursuing its objectives, the Department is hereby 
authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for the hiring of 
services of qualified consultants, and private organizations for research 
work and publication in the field of technical education and skills 
development. It shall avail itself of the services of other agencies of the 
Government as may be required. 
 
SEC. 19. Formulation of a Comprehensive Development Plan for 
Middle-Level Manpower. — The Department shall formulate a 
comprehensive development plan for middle-level manpower based on a 
national employment plan or policies for the optimum allocation, 
development and utilization of skilled workers for employment 
entrepreneurship and technology development for economic and social 
growth. This plan shall be updated periodically and submitted to the 
President of the Philippines for approval.  Thereafter, it shall be the plan 
for the technical education, training, and certification for the entire country 
within the framework of the National Development Plan. The Department 
shall direct through its offices to call on public agencies, the private sector 
and the academe to assist in this effort. The comprehensive plan shall 
provide for a reformed industry-based training program including 
apprenticeship, dual training system and other similar schemes intended 
to: 
 
a. 
Promote maximum protection and welfare of the worker-trainee; 
 
b. 
Improve the quality and relevance and social accountability of 
technical education and Training; 
 


 
15 
c. 
Accelerate the employment-generation effort of the government; 
and 
 
d. 
Expand the range of opportunities for upward social mobility of 
the school-going population beyond the traditional higher levels 
of formal education. All government and non-government 
agencies receiving financial and technical assistance from the 
government shall be required to formulate their respective 
annual agency technical education and skills development plan 
in line with the national technical education and training plan. 
The budget to support such plans shall be subject to review and 
endorsement by the Department to the DBM. The Department 
shall evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of agencies skills 
development program and schemes to make them conform to 
the quantitative and qualitative objectives of the national 
technical education and skills development plan. 
 
SEC. 20. Technical Education and Training Committees. — The 
Department shall establish Technical Education and Training 
Committees at the regional and local levels to coordinate and monitor 
the delivery of all training activities by the public and private sectors. 
These committees shall likewise serve as the Technical Education and 
Training Development Committees of the Regional and local 
development councils. The compositions of the Technical Education and 
Training Committees shall be determined by the Secretary of DepTeTC. 
 
SEC. 21. Apprenticeship Program. — The Department shall promote 
apprenticeship as a major mode of training rather than an employment 
arrangement and shall see to it that it is not subject to abuse by 
unscrupulous entities. 
 
SEC. 22. Technical Education and Training Centers. — The 
Department shall establish and/or cause the establishment of a network 
of national, regional and local skills training centers for the purpose of 
promoting skills development. This network shall include leading training 
technology centers, skills training centers in vocational and technical 
schools, technical institutes, polytechnic colleges, and all other duly 
accredited public and private dual system educational institutions. The 
technical education and Training centers shall be administered and 
operated under such rules and regulations as may be established by the 
Department in accordance with the National Technical Education and 
Training Plan. 


 
16 
SEC. 23. Establishment and Administration of National Training 
Standards. - There shall be national training standards to be established 
by Department-accredited industry committees. The Department shall 
develop and implement a certification and accreditation program in which 
private industry groups and trade associations are accredited to conduct 
approved assessment packages, and the local government units to 
promote such assessment in their respective areas in accordance with 
the guidelines to be set by the Department. The Secretary shall determine 
the occupational trades for mandatory certification. All certificates relating 
to the national training standards and certification system shall be issued 
by the Department through its Regional and Provincial Offices. In 
consonance with the Philippine Qualification Framework (PQF), the 
Department shall closely collaborate with the Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC) as regards to the assessment of technicians, master 
craftsman and technologists. 
 
SEC. 24. Administration of Training Programs. — The Authority shall 
design and administer training programs and schemes that will develop 
the capabilities of public and private institutions to provide quality and 
cost-effective technical education and skills development and related 
opportunities. Such training programs and schemes shall include 
teacher’s trainor’s training, skills training for entrepreneur development 
and technology development, cost-effective training in occupational 
trades and related fields of employment, and value development as an 
integral component of all skills training programs. 
 
SEC. 25. Assistance to Employers and Organizations. — The 
Authority shall assist any employer or organization engaged in skills 
training schemes designed to attain its objectives under rules and 
regulations which the Authority shall establish for this purpose. 
 
SEC. 26. Accreditation and Regulation of Technical Education and 
Training Programs. — All technical education and training programs 
shall be duly accredited by the Department before it is offered to the public 
by any public, private entity or non-government organization. 
Noncompliance with the accreditation requirements of the Department 
shall be form part of the bases for the possible suspension or cancellation 
of the entities' license to operate issued by competent authorities. 
 


 
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SEC. 27. Coordination of All Skills Training Schemes - In order to 
integrate the national skills development efforts, all technical education 
and skills training schemes as provided for in this Act shall be coordinated 
with the Department particularly those having to do with the setting of 
trade skills standards. For this purpose, existing technical education, and 
skills training programs in the Government and in the private sector, 
specifically those wholly or partly financed with government funds, shall 
be reported to the Department which shall assess and evaluate such 
programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. Noncompliance 
with the above-mentioned reportorial requirements could disqualify erring 
entities for any form of government assistance in field technical education 
and training. 
 
SEC. 28. Enterprise Based Partnerships and Linkages. - The 
Department 
shall 
establish 
effective 
and 
efficient 
institutional 
arrangements with industry bodies and such other aggrupations or 
associations to provide direct participation of employers and workers in 
the design and implementation of skills development schemes, trade 
skills standardization and certification and such other functions in the 
fulfillment of the Department's objectives. 
 
SEC. 29. Inclusive Training Opportunities. - The Department shall 
likewise design and implement a delivery system for community based 
technical education and training opportunities for the marginalized and 
disadvantaged sectors of the population, providing them with new tools 
of wealth creation and with the capability to take on higher value-added 
gainful activities and to share equitably in productivity gains eventually 
leading to poverty alleviation and reduction. 
 
SEC. 30. Skills Olympics. - To promote quality skills development in the 
country and with the view of participating in international skills 
competitions, the Department, with the active participation of private 
industries, shall organize and conduct annual National Skills Olympics. 
The Department shall promulgate the necessary rules and guidelines for 
the effective and efficient conduct of Annual National Skills Olympics and 
for the country's participation in internationals skills Olympics. 
 
SEC. 31. The TET Development Fund. -A Technical Education and 
Training 
Development 
Fund 
is 
hereby 
established, 
to 
be 
managed/administered by the Department, the income from which shall 
be utilized exclusively in awarding of grants and providing assistance to 
training institutions, industries, local government units for upgrading their 
capabilities and to develop and implement training and training-related 
activities. The contributions to the fund shall be the following: 
 
a. 
A one-time lump sum appropriation from the National 
Government; 
 


 
18 
b. 
An annual contribution from the Overseas Workers Welfare 
Administration Fund, the amount of which should be part of the 
study on financing in conjunction with letter (D) of Section 34; 
 
c. 
Donations, grants, endowments, and other bequests or gifts, 
and any other income generated by the Department. 
 
 
The Secretary shall be the administrator of the fund, and as such, 
shall formulate the necessary implementing guidelines for the 
management of the fund, subject to the following: 
 
i. 
unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings 
of private contributions shall be used; and 
 
ii. 
no part of the seed capital of the fund, including earnings, 
thereof, 
shall 
be 
used 
to 
underwrite 
expenses 
for 
administration. 
 
The Secretary shall appoint a reputable government-accredited 
investment institution as fund manager, subject to existing government 
regulations. 
 
SEC. 32. Technical Assistance, Incentives and Scholarship Grants. 
—The Department shall adopt a system of providing technical assistance, 
incentives and scholarship grants which shall be designed to encourage 
public and private sector and clientele participation in technical education 
and training activities along the priorities identified by the National 
Development Plan/Agenda. 
 
SEC. 33. Placement Centers. — There shall be established a network 
of placement centers or PLACERS in all the Provincial/ District Offices to 
cater specifically to the job placement of TET institutions. These Centers 
shall be financed and administered by the Department but will form part 
of the National Employment Service Network of the DOLE. 
 
SEC. 34. Transfer of TESDA Secretariat. - The TESDA Secretariat 
created under Section of R.A. 7996 shall comprise the manpower of the 
Department, Provided That, no employee shall be terminated by virtue of 
this transfer. 
 
The laws and rules on government reorganization as provided 
under Republic Act No. 6656, otherwise known as the Reorganization 
Law, shall govern the transfer and reorganization process of the 
Department. 
 
SEC. 35. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Subject to the approval of the 
DBM, the Department shall determine its organizational structure, staffing 
pattern, qualification standards, and placement of personnel in the 
Department, its division units, services, and offices. Officers and 


 
19 
employees of the department shall be appointed in accordance with the 
civil service law, rules, and regulations. 
 
SEC. 36. Separation and Retirement from Service. - Employees who 
are separated from service within six (6) months from the effectivity of this 
Act as a result of the abolition/reorganization under the provisions of this 
Act shall receive separation benefits to which they may be entitled under 
Executive Order No. 366, s. 2004: Provided, that those who are qualified 
to retire under existing retirement laws shall be allowed to retire and 
receive retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under applicable 
laws and issuances. 
 
SEC. 37. Transition Period. - The personnel of the TESDA shall, in a 
holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and 
responsibilities and receive their corresponding salaries and benefits until 
such time when the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the 
Department shall have been approved: Provided, That the preparation 
and approval of the said new organizational structure and staffing pattern 
shall, as far as practicable, respect and ensure the security of tenure and 
seniority rights of affected government employees. Those personnel 
whose positions are not included in the new staffing pattern or who are 
not reappointed or who choose to be separated as a result of the 
reorganization shall be paid their separation or retirement benefits under 
existing laws. 
 
SEC. 38. Appropriation. - The amount needed for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's 
appropriation of TESDA as specified in Section 12 of this Act. Thereafter, 
the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Department 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department 
shall issue, within a period of ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this 
Act, the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
The Department shall submit to concerned Committees of both Houses 
of Congress copies of the implementing rules and guidelines within (30) 
days after its promulgation.  
 
SEC. 40. Separability Clause. - The provisions of this Act are hereby 
declared to be separable, and in the event one or more such provisions 
are held unconstitutional, the validity of the provisions shall not be 
affected thereby. 
 
SEC. 41. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


 
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SECTION. 42. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,