MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has pressed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to fully devolve its training functions to local government units (LGUs), in line with its original mandate under Republic Act No. 7796.

In a recent hearing on TESDA’s charter, EDCOM 2 flagged the agency’s decades-long delay in implementing Section 29 of its founding law, which calls for developing LGU capacity to take over community-based technical education and skills development.

“The devolution of TESDA’s training functions to local government… we admit, we haven’t done it,” said TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu Benitez, acknowledging the agency’s shortcomings. “We have LGU-led [training], but they are very spotty, not systematic.”

The issue was further amplified by EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, who questioned the agency’s inconsistent direction. “Why does TESDA’s position on devolution continue to flip-flop year after year, with efforts never sustained in the past 30 years?” he asked.

According to TESDA, only five institutions have been formally transferred to LGUs since 2008, and just one remains operational today.

While TESDA has introduced LGU-focused projects like Area-Based Demand-Driven TVET and TESDA sa Barangay, EDCOM 2 noted these fall short of institutional devolution.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian argued that TESDA must honor the “spirit of the law,” particularly as nearly 40% of its annual ₱20-billion budget goes to operating its training institutions (TVIs). “That ₱8 billion should yield positive results… What we’re calling for is to stay true to the law: which is to devolve,” he said.

EDCOM 2 Co-Chair Rep. Roman Romulo also raised concerns over TESDA’s overlapping roles as regulator, provider, and assessor. “You can’t be the one setting standards, delivering training, and then assessing your own results,” Romulo stressed. “It’s really time to devolve.”

Former TESDA chief Lucita Lazo echoed the call, noting that local employment planning and skills development should be embedded in LGU development plans.

An Asian Development Bank (ADB) TVET sector study from 2021 similarly recommended TESDA shift its focus to regulation, allowing local governments and private providers to handle training delivery.

Benitez said TESDA is now preparing a new policy order to enable devolution, expected within the next month and a half. However, he noted that successful implementation will require LGUs to pass ordinances and create permanent positions to manage training programs.

EDCOM 2 is set to continue its review of education sector reforms, with a hearing on the Department of Education’s charter scheduled for July 24, 2025.