Bacarra, Ilocos Norte TESDA Training and Assessment Center Act

Spiate Bitire ofile Eccertare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 SEP -4 P2:12 SENATE S.B. No. 1351 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACARRA, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE TESDA TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution mandates 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." In accordance with the declared policy of supporting the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower responsive to and in accordance with the Philippine development goals and priorities, for equitable growth, it is high time to make investments in human capital. Youth, farmers, fisherfolks, the working class, and all other sectors of society would have the opportunity to become more productive, independent, and competitive in their respective fields if a training and assessment center were to be established with the goal of developing existing and new industries as well as promoting other technical and vocational programs. The Municipality of Bacarra is a 3rd class municipality in the Province of Ilocos Norte. It is surrounded by rivers and seas and is rich in agricultural lands. Farming and fishing industries are its main livelihood. Bacarra is also well-known for its longganisa, empanada, garlic, and fresh water seafood. The thriving tricycle manufacturing industry, on the other hand, is worth noting. Hence, this bill seeks to establish a TESDA Training and Assessment Center in the Municipality of Bacarra, Province of Ilocos Norte to be known as the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte TESDA Training and Assessment Center. In view thereof, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. Fice h. Mares IMBER. MARCOS T

Sentale of di the emietary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP -4 P2:12 SENATE 1351 S.B. No. Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACARRA, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE TESDA TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, 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 "Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

TESDA Training and Assessment Center Act."

Sec. 2. Establishment. - There is hereby established a Technical Education and

Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training and Assessment Center in the Municipality of Bacarra, Province of Ilocos Norte, under the supervision of TESDA, to be known as the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte TESDA Training and Assessment Center. It shall be located in a highly accessible location in the Municipality of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, pursuant to this Act and to the agreement between TESDA and the concerned local government units (LGUs).

Sec. 3. General Mandate. - The Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Training and Assessment

Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, shall primarily provide technical- vocational education and training (TVET) programs to students and local residents from low income families and out-of-school youths, including persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples in the Municipality of Bacarra and the neighboring localities in the Province of Ilocos Norte, to help them become productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive labor assets. The Center shall

provide effective employment interventions through training programs on relevant skills in trade competencies, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship activities to help hasten the development of the host area and adjacent localities in the Province of Ilocos Norte into human resource and productivity hubs. The Center shall each serve as TESDA-accredited Assessment Center for acquired competencies in TVET programs in the Municipality of Bacarra and adjacent localities in Province of Ilocos Norte. It shall also provide technical- vocational training for teachers and curriculum design assistance to secondary schools offering the technical-vocational livelihood track under the K to 12 Program, in coordination with the Department of Education and the TESDA.

Sec. 4. Training Programs. - The Center shall offer short-term certificate courses

and modular trainings in preferred technical-vocational skills and trades specialization. To this end, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), business-industry partners, and other relevant agencies and instrumentalities, both local and international, shall provide the necessary assistance to enable the Center to develop skilled manpower to achieve a robust inclusive economy in the host areas and adjacent localities. The Center may establish research and technology hubs, technology development farms, satellite or extension training centers, promote mobile training programs, and strengthen linkages among the industry partners, the academe, and the Center, geared towards the acquisition of practical livelihood, employable skills, gainful employment, and entrepreneurial capabilities in priority areas in the Municipality of Bacarra and neighboring localities in the Province of Ilocos Norte. 31|

The Center shall offer the following TVET programs with competencies assessment leading to the National Certification Levels I-III: a) Skills training in industrial technology and hard trades such as metal and steelwork, machine fabrication and operation, heavy equipment operation, automotive mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics, and operation of power tools and equipment for both medium skills grade and industrial purposes; b) Agriculture and aquaculture-related trainings and skills development in such areas as farming technology, fishing operations technology, backyard farming and home-based aquaculture and propagation innovations, mechanized farm, fishing tools and equipment operation, agribusiness, agri-aqua trade technology and innovations, and relevant farmers and fisherfolks' trainings for increased productivity and entrepreneurship; c) Livelihood skills development courses for preferred skills employment and small-scale entrepreneurship, including practical skills education in arts and crafts, workmanship and design, high-speed sewing, dressmaking and tailoring, horticulture, livestock raising and breeding, food processing technology, home technology, culinary arts and commercial cooking, cosmetology, and health and wellness training; d) Basic business literacy training in financial management, marketing, practical accountancy, bookkeeping, office procedures, business processes and application procedures including registration, licensing, documentation, business patent and intellectual property regulation, business financing and investment opportunities sourcing, import-export accreditation, online home-based business operation, and social media business marketing; e) Technical-vocational occupation and trade skills such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, welding, practical electricity and installation, automotive servicing, electronics servicing, personal computer servicing, and such other relevant practical skills courses;

f) Computer literacy and information technology-related skills, digital technology, web design, animation, photoshop/online photography, computer design and advertising; g) Social communication skills and language proficiency courses in English and other languages for business process outsourcing employment and overseas job placement; h) Seminars on personality development, career counseling, job placement, and work ethic and values; and i) Other preferred skills and trades training that may be needed by the i) people of the Municipality of Bacarra and of the other localities of the i) Province of Ilocos Norte to enhance their capacities for practical livelihood, 1) gainful employment, and entrepreneurial activities.

Sec. 5. Compliance with TESDA requirements. - The provisions of this Act

notwithstanding, the Center shall become operational only upon determination and certification by the TESDA, through the issuance of a formal recommendation and certificate of compliance, that the Center has satisfactorily complied with the minimum standards of quality prescribed by TESDA governing the following: a) standard procedures and guidelines for the establishment and operation of a Center; b) operational sustainability of the Center, in terms of licensed faculty- trainers and personnel, equipment, training and laboratory facilities, instructional materials, and other standard requirements of a Center; c) sustainable funding source and allocation of budgetary requirement; d) full alignment of training programs offered with the minimum standards of competency-based quality technical-vocational skills technology and the needs of the host area and adjacent communities served with the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration and the Philippine Qualification Framework for TVET; and e) compliance with such other TESDA conditionalities and standaras, as may e) be necessary and applicable, in establishing a Center.

Sec. 6. Administration. - The Center shall be headed by a Technical-Vocational

Administrator who shall be under the supervision of the TESDA, render full-time service, and be responsible for its administration and operation. The Technical- Vocational Administrator of the Center shall be appointed by TESDA Director General in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the qualification requirements for such office. The Technical-Vocational Administrator shall enter into agreements with locally- based private and public counterpart agencies or instrumentalities or persons, and seek such assistance as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act, subject to the approval of the TESDA Director General.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The Director General of the TESDA shall include in the

Authority's program the operation of the Center, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The LGUs concerned, in consultation with the TESDA, shall likewise set aside from any available local revenue an amount deemed appropriate as annual counterpart fund to support the operation of the Center herein established.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the

approval of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, DTI, DOST, DA, Department of Budget and Management, DILG, DEPDev, the concerned LGUs, and such other relevant agencies and industry-business partners of the host locality, prepare and issue the necessary regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this

Act shall be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,

presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days f its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,