ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 36 ESTABLISHING THE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP August 13, 2025

WHEREAS,Section 2(1), Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education that is relevant to the needs of the people and society;

WHEREAS,Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10533 0r the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" provides that the State shall create a functional basic educational system that will develop productive and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies, skills and values for both life-long learning and employment;

WHEREAS,Section 6 of RA No. 9155 or the "Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001," vests the Department of Education (DepEd) with authority, accountability, and responsibility for ensuring access to, promoting equality in, and improving the quality of basic education;

WHEREAS,Section 4 of RA No. 11899 or the "Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Act" created EDCOM II to undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the country's education sector for the purpose of recommending transformative, concrete, and targeted reforms in the sector, with the end in view of making the Philippines globally competitive in both education and labor markets;

WHEREAS,EDCOM II's report, "Miseducation" The Failed System of Philippine Education," noted among others, that at present, implementation of education programs is fragmented, pathways in teacher development are misaligned, and education plans and policies remain incoherent;

WHEREAS,EDCOM II further observed that coordination within the education sector remains a challenge despite the existence of multiple inter-agency bodies on education jointly participated in by government agencies with mandates related thereto;

WHEREAS,it is necessary to establish an effective coordinating mechanism among agencies involved in education and workforce development in order to address long-standing concerns in the education sector, and foster a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education in the country;

WHEREAS,Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III of Executive Order No. 292 or the "Administrative Code of 1987" provides that the President, in order to achieve simplicity, economy, and efficiency, shall have the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President; and

WHEREAS,Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all Executive departments, bureaus, and offices, and the mandate to ensure faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.,President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and exiting laws, do hereby order:

Section 1. Education and Workforce Development Group.The Education and Workforce Development Group ("EWDG") is hereby created. It shall be chaired by the President, and shall be composed of the following:   

      

Co-Chairperson	:	Secretary, DepEd
Vice Chairperson	:	Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment
Members	:	Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education
		Secretary, Department of Migrant Workers
		Secretary, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
		Director General, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

The DepEd shall serve as the Secretariat of the EWDG, and shall provide technical and administrative support to the EWDG. For this purpose, the Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be designated by the DepEd Secretary from among the senior officials of DepEd.

Section 2. Duties and Functions.The EWDG shall serve as the central coordinating body on all matters related to education and workforce development in the country. Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, the EWDG shall perform the following duties and functions:

a. Formulate a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NEWDP), which shall guide concerned government agencies in formulating and implementing strategies to align the country's education and workforce systems with the rapidly evolving demands of the global economy. The NEWDP shall among others:

b. Study and evaluate all existing inter-agency bodies with duties and functions related to education and workforce development, and propose mechanisms to streamline and rationalize the same.

In this regard, the EWDG, in consultation with the member-agencies of said inter-agency bodies, shall evaluate the structure, duties and functions, and performance of said inter-agency bodies and determine whether they can be merged, streamlined, or abolished;

c. Oversee and monitor the implementation of all government programs, activities and projects related to education and workforce development, and recommend appropriate actions thereon;

d. Study the current legal and policy framework related to education and workforce development, and recommend appropriate actions thereon;

e. As may be necessary, create technical working groups to assist and support the EWDG in the effective and efficient implementation of this Order; and

f. Submit monthly reports to the President and the Executive Secretary on its performance and activities, including updates on the formulation of the NEWDP, evaluation of inter-agency bodies, and implementation of education and workforce development programs; and

g. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the President and/or the Executive Secretary.

Section 3. Convergence.All concerned national government agencies are hereby directed, and all local government units (LGUs) and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to render full support to and cooperation with the EWDG to ensure the effective implementation of this Order.

As may be necessary, the EWDG may collaborate with and/or call upon any government department, agency, bureau, office, or instrumentality, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state colleges and universities, and invite LGUs and representatives from the private sector, to provide assistance in attaining its objectives.

Section 4. Funding.The funding requirements for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of the member-agencies of the EWDG and such other available funding sources as may be identified by the Department of Budget and Management, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposal of said agencies, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Section 5. Separability.If any part or provision of this Order shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repeal.All orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity.This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE,in the City of Manila, this 13^thday of August, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five.