Legarda files TESDA Modernization Act to build a future-ready Filipino workforce

Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, has filed Senate Bill No. 1413, or the TESDA Modernization Act of 2025, to strengthen and restructure the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), whose charter has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1994.

Thirty years after the passage of Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the TESDA Act of 1994, Legarda said the agency must be updated to meet the evolving demands of education and the labor market. The proposed measure aligns TESDA’s mandate with the principles of lifelong learning, higher-level skills development, and the pursuit of a quality-assured Filipino workforce.

“Our people must be equipped with the right skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work,” the four-term senator said. “This bill will ensure that TESDA delivers high-quality and relevant training that helps Filipinos build better futures for themselves and their families.”

The measure establishes a Board of Advisers as TESDA’s policy and oversight body, composed of the Director General, key cabinet secretaries, the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, and representatives from the private sector. It grants the Director General, who will have the rank of Secretary, broader authority to rationalize the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system by upgrading, merging, or phasing out programs that no longer meet industry needs, and by devolving community-based training to local government units.

The bill also reorganizes the TESDA Secretariat into specialized offices for planning, standards-setting, accreditation, enterprise-based education, and local skills development. It institutionalizes alternative systems such as recognition of prior learning, micro-credentials, and digital badges to validate informal or non-traditional training and promote lifelong learning.

TESDA’s financing mechanisms will be strengthened through reforms to the TESDA Development Fund, the institutionalization of scholarship grants, and the introduction of systematic funding schemes such as levy-grant systems. Regular independent performance reviews will ensure transparency and accountability.

“TESDA must evolve with industry standards,” Legarda said. “We have one of the most skilled and hardworking workforces in the world, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they remain employable, adaptable, and ready for the future.”

Legarda, co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) and recipient of the National TESDA Kabalikat Award 2021 under the Legislative Category, said the measure reflects her continuing advocacy for accessible technical education and sustainable livelihoods.

“Modernizing TESDA is about dignity through work,” she said. “It ensures that every Filipino has the skills to build a stable and productive life.” (30)

Legarda, itinutulak ang TESDA Modernization Act upang ihanda ang manggagawang Pilipino sa hinaharap

Inihain ni Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, ang Senate Bill No. 1413 o ang panukalang TESDA Modernization Act of 2025 upang palakasin at isaayos ang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), na halos tatlong dekada nang hindi nababago ang charter mula nang itatag ito noong 1994.

Matapos ang 31 taon buhat ng pagpasa ng Republic Act No. 7796 o TESDA Act of 1994, iginiit ni Legarda na panahon nang i-update ang TESDA upang makasabay sa mabilis na pagbabago ng edukasyon at labor market.

Tugma ang panukala sa layuning palawakin ang lifelong learning, itaas ang antas ng kasanayan, at tiyakin ang dekalidad na hanapbuhay para sa mga Pilipino.

“Dapat may sapat na kakayahan ang ating mga kababayan upang makasabay sa mabilis na pagbabago sa mga trabaho,” sabi ni Legarda.

“Sa panukalang ito, masisiguro nating makapagbibigay ang TESDA ng mataas na kalidad at makabuluhang training na makatutulong sa mga Pilipino para sa mas maganda nilang kinabukasan.”

Itinatakda ng panukalang batas ang pagbuo ng Board of Advisers bilang pangunahing policy at oversight body ng TESDA.

Bubuuin ito ng Director General, mga kalihim ng ilang mahahalagang kagawaran, Chairperson ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED), at mga kinatawan ng pribadong sektor.

Bibigyan din ng mas malawak na kapangyarihan ang Director General, na may ranggong Secretary, upang ayusin ang Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.

Kabilang dito ang pag-upgrade, pagsasanib, o pagtanggal ng mga kursong hindi na tugma sa pangangailangan ng industriya, at ang pagbibigay sa mga LGU ng kapangyarihang magpatakbo ng community-based training.

Ire-reorganize rin sa ilalim ng panukala ang TESDA Secretariat na magiging espesyal na opisina para sa planning, standards-setting, accreditation, enterprise-based education, at local skills development.

Isasama rin ang mga modernong sistema tulad ng recognition of prior learning, micro-credentials, at digital badges para kilalanin ang informal o non-traditional training at isulong ang lifelong learning.

Palalawakin naman ang pondo ng TESDA sa pamamagitan ng mga reporma sa TESDA Development Fund, institutionalized scholarship grants, at bagong sistemang pinansyal tulad ng levy-grant system.

Magkakaroon din ng regular na performance reviews upang masiguro ang transparency at accountability.

“Dapat umayon ang TESDA sa mga pamantayan ng industriya,” diin ni Legarda.

“Mayroon tayong isa sa mga pinakamasipag na workforce sa buong mundo. Responsibilidad nating panatilihing employable, adaptable, at handa ang ating manggagawa sa kinabukasan.”

Bilang co-chair ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), at tumanggap ng National TESDA Kabalikat Award 2021 sa Legislative Category, iginiit ni Legarda na patuloy niyang isinusulong ang abot-kayang teknikal na edukasyon at sustainable na kabuhayan.

“Ang modernisasyon ng TESDA ay tungkol sa pagbibigay ng karangalan sa pamamagitan ng trabaho,” ani Legarda.

“Tinitiyak nito na bawat Pilipino ay may kakayahang bumuo ng matatag at produktibong buhay.” (30)