Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6918

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM AND
PROVIDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO INMATES IN DETENTION
FACILITIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), there are
approximately 70,000 inmates in 989 jails nationwide who are mostly 18 to 39 years
old. To rehabilitate these inmates, the Bureau of Corrections has incorporated
vocational programs into the job assignments of inmates in most correctional facilities.

This bill seeks to institutionalize this practice by mandating the establishment
of a skills training program for inmates in all correctional facilities in the Philippines.
The implementation of the Program shall be spearheaded by the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd),
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Justice (DOJ). In
addition, skills advancement or training inside prison will be matched with job search
assistance to help ex-inmates find work once outside of prison

Indeed, transition services, especially technical vocational education and
training (TVET), can improve the self-esteem of inmates. With employable skills, they
‘can find new life when they leave detention, never to get back in jail. Tech-voc training
will also bring new hope to the offenders because they know they have the skills that


can be their passport to employment opportunities once they leave confinement. Aside
from these, tech-voc training will also aid in breaking the cycle of recidivism of certain
prisoners.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Saeco Wee

HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA

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OMINGO/C. RIVERA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. eure

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM AND
PROVIDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO INMATES IN DETENTION
FACILITIES, 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 “Kabuhayan for Offenders
through Skills Advancement (KOSA) Act.”

SECTION 2. Establishment of Skills Training Program for Inmates. - The
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of
Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department
of Justice (DOJ) shall establish skills training program for all inmates in the Philippines.

In addition, a Job Search and Livelihood Assistance Desk shall be established inside
prisons to help ex-offenders create sustainable employment once they are released
from prison.

SECTION 3. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be sourced from the current budgets of TESDA, DepEd, DOLE and DOJ.
Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the TESDA, DepEd, DOLE and DOJ, in consultation with


PYOHRON=

relevant stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,