Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR DEFENSE 
INDUSTRY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, 
TECHNICAL TRAINING, AND STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines faces increasing challenges in safeguarding national security and 
achieving self-reliance in defense capabilities. A key factor in addressing these challenges is the 
development of a highly skilled, innovative, and future-ready workforce that can support defense 
research, development, and manufacturing. 
Currently, the country lacks a dedicated legal framework to establish and sustain a 
comprehensive defense talent pipeline. While various agencies offer scholarships and technical 
training, these initiatives are fragmented and not strategically aligned with the needs of the 
defense sector. This results in gaps in expertise, limited industry-academe collaboration, and 
inadequate preparation for emerging technologies critical to defense and security. 
This bill seeks to address these issues by institutionalizing the Defense Workforce 
Development Council (DWDC) as the primary body responsible for planning, implementing, and 
overseeing defense education and training programs. The DWDC will harmonize efforts across 
government, academe, and industry to ensure that the defense workforce remains globally 
competitive and responsive to evolving security needs. 
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5:45 pm
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Among its major features, the measure establishes: 
1. Scholarship Programs for Defense-Critical Fields such as aerospace, cybersecurity,
robotics, materials science, and nuclear and energy systems, with scholarship recipients
required to render service in defense-related institutions.
2. Technical-Vocational Training and Certification Programs through TESDA and
partner agencies to strengthen skills in advanced manufacturing, aircraft and naval
maintenance, armaments handling, and communications systems.
3. Industry-Academe-Defense Partnerships to formalize collaboration between
universities, research institutions, and defense firms in joint research, internships,
apprenticeships, and technology transfer.
4. Continuing Education and Upskilling Programs to ensure existing professionals
remain updated on emerging technologies and defense innovations.
5. Defense-Oriented Curriculum Integration in engineering, technology, and vocational
education to institutionalize long-term capacity building for the defense industry.
6. A Dedicated Defense Workforce Development Fund with an initial appropriation of
₱500 million to support scholarships, training programs, and research partnerships.
The proposed measure recognizes that national security is not solely dependent on
military hardware but also on the competence, expertise, and readiness of the Filipino people 
who develop, operate, and sustain them. By investing in human capital, this Act ensures that the 
Philippines can achieve a sustainable, self-reliant, and technologically advanced defense posture. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR DEFENSE 
INDUSTRY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, 
TECHNICAL TRAINING, AND STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, 
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. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Defense Workforce Development Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to strengthen national defense and 
security by fostering a robust and self-reliant defense industry. The State shall achieve this by 
strategically investing in the development of a highly skilled and future-ready workforce capable 
of supporting defense research, development, and manufacturing. The State shall establish a 
comprehensive defense talent pipeline through targeted education, technical training, 
industry-academe collaboration, and professional upskilling to ensure the sustainability of the 
country's self-reliant defense posture. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. — This Act shall pursue the following objectives: 
(a) Create a dedicated and sustainable pool of skilled professionals for the defense industry.
(b) Establish a scholarship and training fund to provide a clear financial mechanism for
educational and technical training programs.
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(c) Foster and institutionalize partnerships between educational institutions, government 
agencies, and defense firms (both local and international) to ensure a responsive curriculum and 
relevant training.  
(d) Mandate continuing education and certification to ensure the defense workforce remains 
competent and updated with emerging technologies. 
 (e) Formulate a clear administrative body responsible for implementing and overseeing the 
Act. 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Defense Workforce Development Council (DWDC). — There is 
hereby created the Defense Workforce Development Council (DWDC), hereinafter referred to as 
the “Council.” The Council shall be the primary body responsible for the planning, 
implementation, and oversight of all programs under this Act. The DWDC shall be chaired by 
the Secretary of National Defense, with the Secretary of Science and Technology and the 
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as co-chairs. The members shall include 
the Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Secretary 
of Labor and Employment, the Secretary of Trade and Industry, and the Chief of Staff of the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Council may invite representatives from the private sector 
and academia as non-voting members. 
SEC. 5. Scholarship Program for Defense-Critical Fields. — The DWDC shall administer a 
merit-based scholarship program. The program shall provide full scholarships, covering tuition, 
fees, stipends, and allowances for books and research materials, for students pursuing 
undergraduate and graduate degrees in the following fields: Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, 
and Electronics Engineering; Information Technology and Cybersecurity; Materials Science, 
Metallurgical, and Chemical Engineering; Robotics and Artificial Intelligence; Industrial Design 
with military applications; and Nuclear and Energy Systems relevant to defense. Recipients shall 
be required to render compulsory service in the defense industry, government agencies, or the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines for a period equivalent to the number of years they received the 
scholarship. 
SEC. 6. Technical-Vocational Training and Certification. — The DWDC, in coordination 
with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), shall design and 
implement specialized vocational training and certification programs. These programs shall 
include, but are not limited to, advanced manufacturing, precision machining, aircraft and naval 
maintenance, armaments and munitions handling, cyber-physical systems, and communications 
systems. The certification framework shall be aligned with international standards to ensure the 
skills of the Filipino defense workforce are globally competitive. 
SEC. 7. Industry-Academe-Defense Partnerships. — The DWDC shall establish a framework 
for formal and institutionalized partnerships between the Department of National Defense 


(DND) and its attached agencies, public and private educational institutions, local and foreign 
defense firms, and accredited research and development institutions. These partnerships shall be 
facilitated through memoranda of agreement or joint venture contracts to support internships, 
apprenticeships, faculty exchange, joint research and development projects, and technology 
transfer initiatives. 
SEC. 8. Continuing Education and Upskilling Programs. — The DWDC shall develop and 
mandate continuing education and upskilling programs for existing professionals in the defense 
sector. These programs shall focus on emerging defense technologies, strategic logistics, and 
military-grade innovations. The certifications issued shall be required for career advancement 
within the defense industry and government agencies. 
SEC. 9. Defense-Related Curriculum Integration. — The Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED) and TESDA, in coordination with the DWDC, shall develop a national defense-oriented 
curriculum for engineering, technology, and vocational programs. This shall include the 
integration of specialized modules, electives, and courses on defense-related topics. The DND 
shall provide technical assistance, resources, and access to facilities, such as the Government 
Arsenal, for academic and training purposes. 
SEC. 10. Labor Market Monitoring and Alignment. — The DWDC, in collaboration with the 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall conduct regular labor market studies and 
skills gap analyses specific to the defense industry. The findings from these studies shall be the 
basis for adjusting scholarship programs, training curricula, and other initiatives under this Act to 
ensure they remain responsive to industry needs and emerging technological trends. 
SEC. 11. Funding and Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned agencies. In 
addition, an initial amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (₱500,000,000.00) is hereby 
appropriated from the National Treasury to be the initial seed fund for the Defense Workforce 
Development Fund (DWDF). Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the continuous 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The 
DWDF shall be managed and disbursed by the DWDC. 
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DWDC shall formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations 
(IRR) necessary for the proper and effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and other regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SEC. 15. 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, 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List