Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has enacted a law to institutionalize the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF), aiming to enhance universal literacy and accessibility to quality education. The newly signed Republic Act (RA) 12313 outlines the framework's role in advancing lifelong learning programs across the nation's cities, municipalities, and learning providers.
According to Philippines News Agency, RA 12313 emphasizes promoting functional literacy at all societal levels, inclusive learning within the educational system, and revitalizing learning in families and communities. The framework is designed to facilitate workplace learning, expand the use of modern learning technologies, improve learning quality, and foster a culture of lifelong education.
The law establishes inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms to involve government entities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in creating learning cities, municipalities, and villages, thereby boosting resource mobilization and utilization. Additionally, the law adds the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry to the Philippine Qualifications Framework-National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC).
The PQF-NCC is now authorized to formulate, implement, review, and amend the LLDF, develop a master plan for lifelong learning, and collaborate with local government units (LGUs) to ensure its mandatory implementation. The council is also tasked with reporting its progress and accomplishments annually to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
Within six months of RA 12313's effectivity, the PQF-NCC must develop a national master plan to promote lifelong learning, aligning it with the Philippine Development Plan's objectives. This master plan will serve as a strategic blueprint for establishing learning cities, municipalities, and barangays nationwide, with a review every five years to ensure it meets evolving national goals and stakeholder needs.
RA 12313 also instructs LGU heads designated as learning cities, municipalities, or villages to support activities promoting lifelong learning. Learning providers are required to submit annual reports detailing their programs and success metrics to the appropriate governing agencies.
A copy of RA 12313 was released to the public on Wednesday. Senator Joel Villanueva, the principal author and sponsor of the measure, stated that the law will enable local government units to establish 'learning cities' and 'learning municipalities' that foster continuous education and skills development for Filipinos. He highlighted that this law supports communities in creating educational programs tailored to local workforce and technological demands.
Villanueva expressed gratitude to President Marcos for signing the measure, noting that it realizes his long-standing advocacy for education as a continuous process. "The new law completes our advocacy to establish a comprehensive framework for education and skills upgrading support for our workers," Villanueva said.
