Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 83, Series of 2012

December 17, 2012

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 83, SERIES OF 2012, OR THE "INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK"

Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 83, series of 2012, "Institutionalization of the Philippine Qualifications Framework" signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on the 1st day of October, 2012 which took effect upon its publication, conformably to Section 3 thereof, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), hereby issue the following rules and regulations to guide the implementation of the Order. IcSHTA

RULE I

Preliminary Provisions

SECTION 1. Title. —

This issuance shall be referred to as the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 83, series of 2012, or the "Institutionalization of the Philippine Qualifications Framework."

SECTION 2. Construction. —

These rules and regulations shall be liberally construed as to carry out the objectives of the Order which is stated in Section 1 thereof:

"The Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) is hereby established with the following objectives: 1) To adopt national standards and levels for outcomes of education; 2) To support the development and maintenance of pathways and equivalencies which, provide access to qualifications and assist people to move easily and readily between the different education and training sectors and between these sectors and the labor market; and, 3) To align the PQF with international qualifications framework to support the national and international mobility of workers through increased recognition of the value and comparability of Philippine qualifications."

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. —

For purposes of this issuance, the following definitions shall be adopted:

3.1. Order refers to Executive Order No. 83, series of 2012 or "Institutionalization of the Philippine Qualifications Framework."

3.2. IRR refers to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 83, series of 2012.

3.3. Committee refers to the Philippine Qualifications Framework National Coordinating Committee.

3.4. Secretariat refers to the permanent technical secretariat organized from the present staff complements of DepEd, TESDA, PRC, DOLE, and CHED. aCTHDA

3.5. DepEd refers to the Department of Education.

3.6. TESDA refers to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

3.7. CHED refers to the Commission on Higher Education.

3.8. DOLE refers to the Department of Labor and Employment.

3.9. PRC refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.

3.10. PQF refers to the Philippine Qualifications Framework, a national policy which describes the levels of educational qualifications and sets the standards for qualification outcomes.

3.11. Basic Education refers to the education intended to meet basic learning needs which lays the foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It encompasses early childhood, elementary and high school education as well as alternative learning systems for out-of-school youth and adult learners and includes education for those with special needs. (RA No. 9155 S. 2011 n )

3.12. Technical Vocational Education and Training refers to the education process where it involves, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills relating to occupations in various sectors of economic life and social life, comprises formal (organized programs as part of the school system) and non-formal (organized classes outside the school system) approaches (UNESCO).

3.13. Higher Education refers to the stage of formal education requiring secondary and post-secondary education covering the programs on: (a) all courses of study leading to bachelor's degree and (b) all degree courses of study beyond bachelor's degree level.

3.14. Qualification refers to a package of competencies describing a particular function or job role existing in an economic sector, covering the work activities required to undertake a particular job role. aCIHcD

3.15. Trifocalized Education and Training refers to the three levels of Philippine education system: basic education, technical-vocational education and training, and higher education.

SECTION 4. Key Objectives of the Philippine Qualifications Framework. —

1. Establishes national standards and levels for outcomes of education and training, specializations, skills and competencies.

2. Provides national regulatory and quality assurance arrangements for education and training.

3. Supports the development and maintenance of pathways and equivalencies which provide access to qualifications.

4. Supports individual lifelong learning goals by providing the basis for individuals to progress through education and training.

5. Aligns the PQF with international qualifications framework to support the international mobility of learners and workers through increased recognition of the value and comparability of Philippine qualifications.

RULE II

Coverage

SECTION 5. Applicability. —

This IRR shall apply to:

5.1 All sectors, levels, and modes of delivery of the Philippines' trifocalized education system: basic education, technical vocational education and training, and higher education; and

5.2 All institutions and systems which provide trainings, specializations, skills and competencies, professional experience or through life-long learning. IDSaEA

SECTION 6. Participation of Industry Sector. —

Pursuant to Section 4 of the Order, industry sector representatives of various associations and chambers, shall be consulted and engaged in the detailing and application of the PQF to ensure alignment of educational outcomes to job requirements.

RULE III

Organization

SECTION 7. The PQF National Coordinating Committee. —

By virtue of Section 2 of EO No. 83, s. 2012, the PQF National Coordinating Committee was created to be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) with the members comprised of the Director-General of TESDA, Chairpersons of CHED and PRC, and Secretary of DOLE.

SECTION 8. Powers and Functions of the Committee. —

1. Creates technical working groups in support of the detailing and implementation of the PQF

2. Harmonizes the levels of qualifications with all levels of education

3. Aligns education standards and learning outcomes to the level descriptors contained herein

4. Develops and recognizes pathways and equivalencies

5. Discuss and agree on the elements of the PQF including but not limited to their principles, key features, definitions or terminologies, structure and governance arrangements

6. Review and update the PQF

7. Provides information and guidelines in the implementation of the PQF

8. Establishes a quality assurance mechanism IaAHCE

9. Maintains the national registry of qualified manpower

10. Ensures the international alignment of the PQF with the qualification frameworks of other countries

11. Represents the country in international fora or negotiations on qualification agreements/arrangements

12. Provides regular feedback on the progress and accomplishments to the Office of the President with respect to the implementation of the Order

13.Perform such other functions that may be related to the implementation of the PQF

SECTION 9. The Technical Secretariat. —

Pursuant to Section 8 of EO No. 83, s. 2012, a permanent technical secretariat shall be organized from the present staff complements of DepEd, TESDA, and CHED to ensure efficient and effective implementation. DOLE and PRC shall designate a permanent representative to the technical secretariat.

SECTION 10. Functions of the Secretariat. —

10.1 Provide technical and administrative support to the Committee;

10.2 Engage the services of technical experts; and

10.3 Perform such other functions as the Committee may deem necessary.

RULE IV

Qualifications Standards and Assessment

SECTION 11. Qualifications Descriptors. —

Pursuant to Section 5 of the Order, the 8-Level Qualifications Descriptors are adopted, defined in terms of knowledge and skills, application, degree of independence, and qualification levels as contained in Attachment A of this document. ICAcTa

SECTION 12. National Pilot Programs. —

DepEd, TESDA, and CHED shall jointly implement national pilot programs to determine the relevance and applicability of the detailed descriptors in all levels of education.

SECTION 13. Review of Licensure Examinations. —

As per Section 7 of the Order, the PRC and CHED shall review the framework and contents of the licensure examinations of each of the professions and align them with that of the PQF.

RULE V

Final Provisions

SECTION 14. Appropriations. —

Pursuant to Section 9 of the Order, the funds necessary for the implementation of the PQF shall be charged against the existing appropriations of DepEd, TESDA, and CHED.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. —

By virtue of Section 10 of the Order, all issuances, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of the same are hereby revoked and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 16. Separability Clause. —

If any provision of this IRR is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions unaffected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. —

These rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Signed this 17th of December 2012, in Manila, Philippines. EcHTDI

(SGD.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSCSecretary, DepEd

(SGD.) ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS-BALDOZSecretary, DOLE

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph.D.Chairperson, CHED

(SGD.) EMMANUEL JOEL J. VILLANUEVADirector General, TESDA

(SGD.) TERESITA R. MANZALAChairperson, PRC

n Note from the Publisher: "RA No. 9155 S. 2011" should read as "RA No. 9155 S. 2001"

Published in The Philippine Star on December 28, 2012.