MANILA, Philippines — The Senate adopted a concurrent resolution urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to create a Cabinet Cluster for Education to ensure a unified and strategic implementation of education-related laws, reforms, and policies across all government agencies.

Adopted during the session was Concurrent Resolution No. 21, authored by Senators Win Gatchalian, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, and Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The resolution also calls for the development of a long-term, integrated national education and workforce development plan to address persistent gaps in planning and coordination within the education sector.

“The resolution reflects not only the collective wisdom of this Chamber but also our shared aspiration to reform and strengthen the Philippine education system,” Gatchalian said.

The resolution was shaped by the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), created under Republic Act No. 11899 to conduct a comprehensive national assessment of the education sector.

In its Year One Report titled Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education, EDCOM II highlighted significant deficiencies in system-wide planning, monitoring of learning outcomes, teacher development, and alignment between education and workforce needs.

Although interagency bodies currently exist to manage education concerns, the resolution noted their failure to produce a coherent strategic direction.

The proposed Cabinet Cluster would serve as a central body to align priorities, rationalize resource use, and monitor the implementation of programs within the sector.

Under the proposal, the cluster would be headed by an existing Cabinet Secretary with a direct role in education or a designated presidential adviser with the rank of Secretary.

It is envisioned to urgently address the learning crisis and work toward a coherent national education and workforce plan, including agency-level targets, budgeting, and monitoring systems.

A concurrent resolution expresses the sentiment or will of Congress and must be passed by both chambers, but it does not require presidential approval and does not have the force of law.