EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
2746

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘Section 1 of Article XIV (Education) of the Constitution provides, in part, that the
State shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all. Likewise, the State is
directed by the Constitution to “establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.”

This bill seeks to create the National Education Coordinating Council in order to
integrate, coordinate and interface the program and policies of the formal and non-formal
educational system.

In the Philippines, the system of education is implemented by the Department of
Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). These three agencies are
independent bodies and supreme in their respective realm of responsibilities. As such, they
have their own distinct set of policies and programs which sometimes clash with each other,
thus adversely affecting the educational system in the country. Hence, there is an
imperative need to coordinate the activities and functions of the three agencies to better
implement the programs and policies set by the national government relative to the
operations and management of the educational system.

‘The measure proposes to establish the National Coordinating Council which will act
as the over-all advisory and coordinating body for all literacy endeavors and human resource
development program of the country. It is an inter-agency body composed of
representatives of the three agencies ‘of education and various government agencies. The
Council is tasked to ensure a coherent, integrated, proficient and responsive educational
system in the country.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Whe
RUFUS B. ROD}



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 2746

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL EDUCATION COORDINATING COUNCIL, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “National Education
Coordinating Council Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and
promote the rights of all citizens to affordable quality formal education at all levels and to
relevant and efficient technical education and skills development opportunities responsive to
‘and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities. For this purpose, it shall
maintain a coordinating body which shall integrate, coordinate and interface the programs
and policies of the formal and non-formal educational systems.

SEC. 3. National Education Coordinating Council. ~ There is hereby created a National
Education Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Councii,” which shall
integrate and coordinate the policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal
‘and non-formal education at all levels in order to establish and maintain a complete,
‘adequate and comprehensive system of education relevant to the goals of national
development.

SEC. 4. Composition. - The Council shall be composed of the following:
‘a) The Secretary of Education, as Chairman;
b) Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, as Vice Chairman;
c) Chairman of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;
4) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority or a
representative;
) Secretary of Labor and Employment or his representative;
f) Secretary of Science and Technology or his representative; and
g) Secretary of Trade and Industry or his representative, as members.

SEC. 5. Duties and Functions. - The Council shall exercise the following duties and
functions:

fa) Act as the overall advisory and coordinating body providing policy and
program directions for all formal and non-formal educational systems, particularly
technical education and skills development program;

b) Coordinate with the participating agencies represented in the Council in
providing opportunities for the acquisition of skills necessary to enhance and ensure
Continuing employability, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in the labor
market;



c) Serve as a means for expanding access to educational opportunities to
citizens of varied interests, demographic characteristics and socio-economic origins
of status;

d) Formulate, plan, implement and coordinate the policies, plans programs
and projects for the following:

(1) Primary and secondary education

(2) Non-formal education, vocational and technical education
and skills development

(3) Higher education

e) Formulate and coordinate the implementation of policies on matters of
common interest to the various departments and agencies of the government
concerned with the formal and non-formal education and make recommendations to
the President in connection therewith; and

f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in furtherance of the
purposes of this Act.

SEC. 6. Meetings. - Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least once a month.
‘Special meetings may be held as often as may deemed necessary: Provided, That in the
absence or incapacity of the members to attend any regular or special meeting of the
Council, the duly designated representative of the member shall attend and be vested with
the same power and authority as a regular member.

‘A quorum of the Council shall consist of four (4) members holding office at the time of
the meeting: Provided, however, That the chairperson of the Council is among those present
in the meeting.

SEC. 7. Compensation. - The member of the Council shall be entitled to per diems and
honoraria as may be approved by the Council. They shall serve without service credit,
benefit or pay except the approved per diems and honoraria.

SEC. 8. Secretariat. - The Council shall have a permanent secretariat which shall be under
the supervision and control of the Chairperson of the Council. The Council shall determine
the administrative personnel and research staff as it may deem necessary for the proper
discharge of its functions and responsibilities. All the appointments shall be made by the
Chairperson subject to existing civil service laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days from the date of
the effectivity of this Act, the Council shall convene to formulate the rules and regulations
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriation. - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is
hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary to implement shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,