Legarda files bill to modernize TESDA

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 1413, or the Tesda Modernization Act of 2025, to restructure and update the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), whose charter has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1994.

Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, said the proposed measure aims to align Tesda’s mandate with principles of lifelong learning and industry-responsive skills development.

“Our people must be equipped with the right skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work,” said Legarda. “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 proposes the creation of a Board of Advisers to serve as Tesda’s policy and oversight body. It also grants broader authority to the Director General, who will hold the rank of secretary, to rationalize training programs and devolve community-based training to local governments.

READ: Legarda bats for Magna Carta of waste collection workers

The Tesda Secretariat will be reorganized into specialized offices focused on planning, standards-setting, accreditation, enterprise-based education, and local skills development. It also institutionalizes alternative learning systems such as recognition of prior learning, micro-credentials, and digital badges.

To improve financial sustainability, the bill includes reforms to the Tesda Development Fund, formalizes scholarship grants, and introduces levy-grant schemes. It also mandates regular independent performance reviews for accountability.

“TESDA must evolve with industry standards,” said Legarda. “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.”

A co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) and recipient of the 2021 National TESDA Kabalikat Award under the Legislative Category, Legarda emphasized that the bill supports her 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.”