A BILL creating a Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) that will undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluate the performance of the Philippine education sector lapsed into law on July 23.
Republic Act 11899, or the "Edcom 2 Act," was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on May 23, 2022. Legislative measures lapse into law if the president does not take action — approve or veto — within 30 days from the receipt of the proposals.
Edcom 2 will be composed of 10 members — five from the Senate and five from the House of Representatives. The chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, and on Higher, Technical and Vocation Education, and the chairpersons of the House Committees on Basic Education and Culture and on Higher and Technical Education will serve as co-chairpersons of the commission, while the other three members from the Senate and the House will be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies will serve as the research arm of Edcom 2 to produce data-based research and provide analysis to contribute to the formulation of education policy recommendations.
Under the law, Edcom 2 should accomplish its mandate within three years of its organization.
The Philippine Business for Education expressed support for Edcom 2 to assess and evaluate the Philippine education sector and act on reforms to improve the country's education system and support the youth on skills and tools for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
