AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE LIFELONG LEARNING DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK, BROADENING THE MANDATE OF THE PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK - NATIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL (PGQ - NCC), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PQF ACT", APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12313, October 23, 2025 ]

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE LIFELONG LEARNING DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK, BROADENING THE MANDATE OF THE PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK - NATIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL (PGQ - NCC), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PQF ACT", APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 "Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to create an environment free from poverty, hunger, violence, and war, and to ensure equity, inclusion, and a healthy environment for everyone. To this end, the State shall promote lifelong learning as a means to achieve full, productive, freely chosen, and decent work for all, and to promote a more sustainable national, regional, and local development. The State shall promote universal literacy and the constitutional right of all citizens to quality and accessible education at all levels, and prescribe duties in this regard.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

Section 4. Guidelines. - The following guidelines shall be respected at all times:

Section 5. Lifelong Learning Development Framework. - A Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) shall describe and set the standards for the development of action components and desirable measures for success to promote and implement lifelong learning in cities, municipalities, barangays, and lifelong learning providers.

Section 6. Additional Role and Member of the PQF-NCC. - The mandate of the PQF-NCC established by virtue of Republic Act No. 10968 is further strengthened to assume the powers and functions provided under this Act. In addition to the existing composition of the PQF-NCC, the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry shall be members of the PQF-NCC.

All members of the PQF-NCC may designate their respective representatives, whose rank shall not be lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent.

Section 7. Additional Powers and Functions of the PQF-NCC. - In addition to its mandate under Republic Act No. 10968, the PQF-NCC shall have the following specific powers and functions:

Section 8. Lifelong Learning National Master Plan. - Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the PQF-NCC, with the participation of relevant stakeholders, shall formulate a national master plan to promote lifelong learning that aligns with and supports the objectives and priorities of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The master plan shall serve as a strategic blueprint for the promotion of lifelong learning and the establishment of learning cities, municipalities, or barangays across the country.

The master plan shall be reviewed every five (5) years to ensure its alignment with evolving national development goals and stakeholder needs. It shall include the following components:

The PQF-NCC shall actively collaborate with other relevant government agencies in the formulation of the master plan to ensure comprehensive policy coherence. It shall also coordinate with LGUs in the mandatory implementation and execution of the master plan, with clear reference to the PDP's overarching objectives.

Section 9. Designation of Learning Cities, Municipalities, or Barangays. - The PQF-NCC shall designate a city, municipality, or barangay as a learning city, municipality, or barangay based on its proven capacity to carry out the component activities and attain the success measures under this Act. The PQF-NCC shall also develop guidelines in using the action components under this Act to assess if a city, municipality, or barangay may qualify for designation as a learning city, municipality, or barangay.

A designated learning city, municipality, or barangay shall enjoy additional support and funding for the following:

The PQF-NCC shall designate geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas desiring to become learning cities, municipalities, or barangays to receive the assistance provided under this Act. The PQF-NCC shall assist them in the attainment of success measures as indicated under this Act or thereafter amended or modified.

Section 10. Functions of Designated Learning Cities, Municipalities, or Barangays. - Heads of LGUs designated as learning cities, municipalities, or barangays shall guide and support activities for the promotion of lifelong learning, whether initiated by the LGU or a lifelong learning provider.

The LGUs designated as learning cities, municipalities, or barangays shall undertake measures to institutionalize the following:

Section 11. Support and Subsidy for Lifelong Learning Providers. - The heads of learning providers offering lifelong learning shall submit an annual report to the appropriate government agency which has jurisdiction over them, detailing the programs offered, number of attendees, and other relevant data necessary to assess the success of the lifelong learning program.

The LGU shall appropriate the necessary amount to ensure and guarantee that lifelong learning in its jurisdiction is accessible to all residents, including, but not limited to, women, youth, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.

Section 12. Literacy Education Programs. - The LGUs shall endeavor to enhance basic capabilities of all Filipinos by, among others, developing and promoting adult literacy programs, which shall be offered in designated schools within the learning cities, municipalities, or barangays. This shall be done in accordance with the Literacy Coordinating Council created under Republic Act No. 7165 or "An Act Creating the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes", as amended by Republic Act No. 10122, as well as the Bureau of Alternative Education of the Department of Education created under Republic Act No. 11510 or the "Alternative Learning System Act".

Section 13. Lifelong Learning in Private Enterprises. - Private corporations, institutions, workplaces, and other similar establishments are encouraged to provide inclusive lifelong learning to their employees to ensure that their skills remain relevant and responsive to the changes of the world of work. Private enterprises are encouraged to conduct activities for the promotion of lifelong learning, and give consideration and/or incentives to employees who enroll in graduate studies or in any form of lifelong learning and continuing education by allowing revised schedules, alternative work arrangements, and adjusted workloads without sacrificing the quality of work. The participation of private enterprises in the following areas supportive of lifelong learning shall also be promoted:

The employees are also encouraged to provide scholarships and incentives to their employees who wish to pursue lifelong learning activities.

Section 14. Appropriations. - Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 235 and 272 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991", a portion of the Special Education Fund shall be used to fund the objectives of this Act within the LGU's respective areas of jurisdiction. In addition, the amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budgets of the concerned agencies and/or LGUs. Thereafter, the concerned agencies and LGUs shall include in their annual budget such appropriations as necessary to subsidize the continued operation of the lifelong learning institutions and other related activities.

Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PQF-NCC shall, in coordination with other concerned government agencies and civil society organizations, formulate and issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 16. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. - The relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 10968 are hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this Act. Section 272 of Republic Act No. 7160 is also amended accordingly.

All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2960 on June 2, 2025, and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 11543 on June 10, 2025.

Approved: OCT 23 2025

FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines