WHEREAS, the agenda of this administration prioritizes the creation of six to ten million jobs and
the expansion of youth opportunities.
WHEREAS, the present compartmentalization of TVET and HE hinders the recognition and
accreditation of competence in technical-vocational skills HE and vice-versa:
NOW THEREFORE I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, doe hereby order the
following:
SECTION 1. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) AND THE
commission on Higher Education (CHED) in consultation with the concerned sectors and
stakeholders shall develop and implement a unified national qualifications framework that
establishes equivalency pathways and access ramps for a ladderized system allowing for easier
transitions and progressions between TVET and HE.
SECTION 2. The framework shall include as far as practicable but no limited to, the following
unified qualification and articulation mechanisms: National System of Credit Transfer, Post-TVET
Bridging Programs, System of Enhanced Equivalency. Adoption of Ladderized
Curricula/Programs, Modularized Program Approach, Competency-Based Programs, Network of
Dual-Sector Colleges or Universities, Accreditation Recognition of Prior Learning.
SECTION 3. The Professional Regulatory Commission, Department of Labor and Employment,
Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and
Industry, and Department of Budget and Management shall extend to the TESDA and CHED the
necessary support in the operationalization of unified national qualifications framework to be
developed and implemented. Likewise, other agencies both in the public and private sectors,
including non-governmental organizations, business groups, professional associations and similar
entities both foreign and local may be tapped for consultations.
SECTION 4. To ensure efficient and effective implementation. TESDA and CHED shall organize
from their present staff complements a permanent Technical Secretariat. The Secretariat may
contract the services of technical experts and authorities on relevant areas of concern such as
equivalencies, accreditation, curriculum development, educational measurement and testing