NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
In Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall give
priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”
Likewise, Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, provides that "The State
shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all”. 
From these State Principles enshrined in the Constitution, the State recognizes the
vital role of quality education in nation-building and development through the creation of a more
responsible and literal citizenry. To achieve such ends, the State must ensure and promote quality
education for all by ensuring that education policies, strategies and programs in all levels are
well-defined and structured in conformity with the national objectives of promulgation
qualification frameworks and standards. 
However, lapse in governance in the education system of our country persists because
of the absence or lack thereof inter-agency cooperation among key education agencies and offices
in streamlining educational policies, guidelines, and standards to ensure the delivery of quality
education in all schools at all levels. 
This bill aims to bridge the governance and policy-making frameworks of basic
education, higher education, and technical-vocational education which shall set the general
directions for educational policies, quality standards, guidelines and supervision of learning
outcomes of the entire education system. By defining the roles and responsibilities of different
education agencies and offices, the goals and objectives set forth in the national qualifications
framework will be better achieved. 
Similarly, the bill also aims to service to develop a comprehensive educational policy
based on extensive research on education and industry trends to ensure the professional and
career suitability of the students both in local and international professions and seeks to further
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and seeks to further empower educational institutions to be effective partners in the delivery of
educational reforms. 
With the aim to continuously develop the country's human capital especially in the
field of education, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
The immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party List 


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
AN ACT CREATING AN INDEPENDENT POLICY-MAKING, QUALITY ASSESSING,
RESEARCH AND REGULATORY BODY FOR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE
PHILIPPINES
TO
BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMISSION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled: 
SEC. 1.
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Education Commission
Act.”
SEC. 2.
Declaration of Policy – The State shall promote the right of all citizens to
affordable quality education at all levels and shall take steps to ensure that equal education shall
be accessible to all. The State shall promote the continuing intellectual growth and development
of students in schools and professionals in industries, the advancement of research and
development, and the enrichment of responsible and effective leadership in the academe. 
Towards this end, Basic Education, Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-Graduate, Technical and
Vocational Institutions shall gear their education programs in conformity with national
qualifications framework plans to achieve total development. 
SEC. 3.
Purposes and Objectives. - The purposes and objectives of this Act are:
a)
To
bridge
the
governance
and
policy-making
frameworks
of
basic
education,
higher education and technical-vocational education which shall set the general directions for
educational policies, quality standards, guidelines and supervision of learning outcomes of the
entire education system;
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b)
To define the roles and responsibilities of different education agencies and offices
at various levels in implementing programs, projects and services to realize the goals and
objectives set forth in the national qualifications' framework;
c)
To empower educational institutions as effective partners in the delivery of educational
services at all levels in the attachment of greater access to educational opportunities;
d)
To develop a comprehensive educational policy based on extensive research on education
and industry trends to ensure the professional and career suitability of the students both in local
and international professions; and
e)
To guide future professionals and skilled workers in choosing appropriate professions in
key industries that are vital in nation-building and will further spur economic growth and
development. 
SEC. 4.
Creation. – The National Education Commission, which is created pursuant to
this Act and hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall be vested with authority,
accountability and responsibility for ensuring accessibility and improving the delivery of quality
basic, collegiate, technical-vocational and higher education. 
The Commission shall be headed by a Commissioner with five (5) Deputy Commissioner which
shall have jurisdiction on (1) public basic education schools; (2) private basic educational
schools; (3) private higher educational institutions; (4) State Universities and Colleges (SUCs);
and (5) technical-vocational schools. 
The Commission shall render an annual report of its programs, activities, and achievements to
the President and Congress. 
SEC. 5.
Philippine Education Advisory Council. - There shall be constituted a Philippine
Education Advisory Council which shall meet with the Commission at least once a year to assist
the Commission in aligning its policies and plans with the cultural, political and socioeconomic
development needs of the country. The Advisory Council shall be comprised of:
a. President of the Philippines as Chairperson;
b. Secretary of the Department of Education  as Co-Vice Chairperson;
c. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as Co-Vice Chairperson;
d. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as Co-Vice
Chairperson;
e. President of the Senate as Member:
f. Speaker of the House of Representatives as Member:
g. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority as Member;


h. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as Member;
i. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as Member;
j. Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology as Member
k. Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management as Member;
l. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government as Member;
m. Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as Member;
n. Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission as Member;
o. National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority as
Member:
p. Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission - Member, and
q. Four (4) Members to be appointed by the President from each of the following stakeholders:
education sector, business sector, academe, and other sectors, whether public or private, with a
direct stake in education to ensure broad-based consultation and planning.
SEC. 6.
Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The Commission shall exercise the
following powers and functions: 
a) Formulate develop plans, policies, priorities and programs on the entire educational system;
b) Set minimum standards for programs/courses of studies at all levels and to approve standards
and test established and conducted by private industries including registrations of educational
institutions and certifications;
c) Set standards for safety and security protocols for all academic institutions to ensure that
all-over environment including physical facilities and learning spaces in schools and learning
institutions remain conducive for learning and responsive to the safety needs of the academic
stakeholders; 
d) Establish and develop testing and evaluation programs that will assess the over-all
performance of the education system in the country and research on the data gathered such tests
and evaluation programs to better improve education service delivery in the country;
e) Guide students towards the most appropriate profession by formulating a comprehensive
profession test that is programmed to gauge the capability and intellectual activity of students
and match it to appropriate industries to ensure better work opportunities for students in both
domestics and foreign job markets while being relevant to current and future employment needs;


f) Regulate and supervise the admission of students on course and programs offered by schools
and educational institutions by requiring the results of the comprehensive programs that are
deemed vital to the economic direction of the country;
g) Require schools to provide the Commission their admission policies, results of admission
exams, scores of admitted students and equivalent passing rates;
h) Monitor, evaluate, classify, rate and rank the performance of programs and educational
institutions, schools and training centers undertaking standardized national competency tests to
be able to appropriate incentives and/or sanctions such as but not limited to, diminution or
withdrawal of subsidy, downgrading or withdrawal of permits or status conferred by the
Commission, non-recognition of accreditation, termination of program or certificate or closure of
the school or training center;
i) Inspect, evaluate and review the textbooks and instructions used materials used in schools to
ensure that knowledge being remain factual, relevant and consistent with current existing
paradigms and void of errors and inconsistencies;
j) Monitor, supervise and regulate the administration of scholarship grants and academic financial
assistance offered to qualified students in order to ensure an equitable academic support delivery
anchored on national economic development goals and professional qualification frameworks;
k) Publish performance ratings and ranking of schools and educational institutions nationwide
based on national competency test and other parameters with the aim to set a national standard of
measurement for school competency;
1) Identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in different levels and program
areas;
m) Rationalize educational institutions and their educational offerings and set standards, policies
and guidelines for the creation, conversion and elevation of schools to institutions of higher
learning subject to budget limitations and the number of institutions of higher learning in the
province or region where creation, conversion or elevation is sought to be made;
n) Institutionalize a research development program that will monitor educational innovations and
changes in the industry to ensure the professional and career suitability of the students both in
local and international industries;
o) To receive, collect and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the
Commission in the manner it may determine in its discretion, in order to carry out the purposes
and functions of the Commission;
p) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds, and
to administer and disposed of the same when necessary for the benefit of the Commission, and
subject, if any, to the donor's limitations, directions and instructions. q) Promulgation such rules


and regulations and exercise such other powers and functions ad may be necessary to carry out
effectively the purposes and objectives of this Act; and
q) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations and for the
continued enhancement, growth or development of the education system. 
SEC. 7.
Congressional Oversight Committee on Education. – To monitor and ensure the
proper implementation of laws, implementing rules and regulations, and executive issuances
relating to education, a Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall be constituted in
accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
The Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Committee on Basic Education and
Culture and Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the Senate and the House of
Representatives and three (3) additional members from each chamber to be designated by the
Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively. One (1) of the said three (3) additional
members shall come from the minority members of each chamber. 
SEC. 8.
Authority to Use Generated Revenues. - The Commission shall have the authority
to use generated revenues from the collection of fees from the issuance of permits, certifications
and research documents to ensure the optimal operations of the Commission. Such authority
shall however be subject to applicable budgeting and auditing laws, rules and regulation to ensure
accountability. 
SEC. 9.
Retention of Mandates of Other Education Agencies. – The operations of the
Commission shall not be construed prejudicial to the current functions and mandates of other
existing education agencies. The mandates of other education agencies shall remain in force and
such agencies shall continue to exercise their powers and functions within their jurisdictions. 
SEC. 10.
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the annual appropriations under the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 11.
Separability Clause. — If any provision or portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall remain in
full force and effect. 
SEC. 12.
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of
this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, and/ or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13.
Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,