Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom Ii) Act

Erist TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 A11:56 SENATE RECEIVED Br: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11899, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION (EDCOM II) ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to

"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 pursuit of this mandate, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) was created under Republic Act No. 11899 to "undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector for the purpose of recommending transformative, concrete and targeted reforms in the sector with the end in view of making the Philippines globally competitive in both education and labor markets." Since its creation, EDCOM II has carried out one of the most far-reaching and data-driven diagnostic efforts on education in recent memory. Through rigorous research studies, extensive field visits, and wide-ranging consultations with learners, teachers, parents, agencies, local government units (LGUs), and policymakers, the Commission produced two principal reports, Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education and Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival. These reports clearly and compellingly presented the structural deficiencies that continue to

hinder progress in Philippine education. These include critically low participation in early childhood programs, severe textbook shortages, a backlog of over 165,000 classrooms, high attrition in higher education, outdated vocational training systems, and widespread stunting and undernutrition in children's earliest years— deficits that compound over time and impair students' ability to learn, complete school, and succeed in the workforce. Importantly, EDCOM II did not stop at diagnosis. It offered concrete, actionable recommendations that have already translated into policy shifts, budget allocations, and enacted legislation. For example, in direct response to its findings on early childhood development, the government allocated P1 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act for the establishment of Child Development Centers in 328 low- income LGUs, an illustration of how EDCOM Il's research has informed targeted and equity-oriented investment. In the 19th Congress, the Commission's work contributed to the passage of several key measures, including: the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (RA No. 12199); Providing for the Optional Implementation of the Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 (RA No. 12027); the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA No. 12080); the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act (RA No. 12028); the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act (RA No. 11984); the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act (RA No. 12063); the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act (RA No. 12124); as well as the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act, the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, and the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act-all passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and currently pending presidential action-and the adopted concurrent resolution urging the creation of a Cabinet Cluster for Education. This effective conversion of research into reform is precisely what makes EDCOM Il's role indispensable. While these gains already form part of a meaningful legislative legacy, much remains to be done to reinforce this progress and address other equally critical challenges in education. Extending the Commission's mandate for an additional two years will help sustain policy momentum and build on the

foundation laid not only by institutions but by the tireless work of education experts, researchers, and public servants who have supported the Commission's mission. As both a think tank and a convener, EDCOM II has brought the nation's education stakeholders to the same table, building trust, shaping consensus, and becoming a guiding voice that has helped the nation to listen, align, and act. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Oiler of 11 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 14 A11:56 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED LI S. No. Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11899, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION (EDCOM II) ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11899, otherwise known as the "Second

2 Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Act", is hereby amended to read 3 as follows: "Section 6. Duration of EDCOM II. - The Commission shall accomplish its mandate within three (3) years from its organization. It shall organize itself and commence its mandate upon the effectivity of this Act. UPON COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL THREE-YEAR MANDATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING FURTHER RESEARCH AND CONSULTATIONS AS NECESSARY, AS WELL AS OVERSIGHT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLANS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE COMMISSION SHALL WORK CLOSELY WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES,

STAKEHOLDERS, AND SECTORS TO ENSURE THE ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEMS WITH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LABOR MARKET NEEDS, AND THAT LONG-TERM REFORMS ARE INSTITUTIONALIZED."

Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

7 order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 8 Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 3. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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