FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No,_ 1699

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 alll literacy
endeavors and human resource development program of the country. Itis 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.

RUFUS B. RIGUEZ

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES =)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1659

House Bill No.

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 of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t 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 “Council,” 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;
) Director-General of the National Economic and Development
Authority or a representative;


e) 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:

a) 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) Nonformal education, vocational and
technical education and skills development

(3) Higher education

) 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,