MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12313, or the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF), which aims to promote continuous learning opportunities for Filipinos to build an inclusive, skilled, and productive nation.

The new law institutionalizes standards and guidelines for implementing lifelong learning initiatives in cities, municipalities, barangays, and among lifelong learning providers.

Lifelong learning, as defined by RA 12313, is a continuous process that enhances knowledge, skills, and competencies at all life stages. The LLDF seeks to strengthen this process by promoting functional literacy, ensuring inclusive education, revitalizing community learning, and supporting workplace education with the participation of industries and stakeholders.

The law also expands the mandate of the Philippine Qualifications Framework – National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC), created under RA 10968, by including the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as members.

Under the measure, the PQF-NCC is tasked to develop and implement a national master plan promoting lifelong learning and designating learning cities, municipalities, or barangays. It will also monitor and evaluate the plan, work with local government units on implementation, and report progress to the Office of the President, Senate, and House of Representatives.

The PQF-NCC will further implement the Philippine Credit Transfer System (PCTS) and the Philippine Qualifications Register (PhQuaR), integrate relevant provisions of the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, and recommend criteria for recognizing local government initiatives that promote sustainable education under the Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019.

Within six months from the law’s effectivity, the PQF-NCC, with relevant stakeholders, must craft a national master plan aligned with the Philippine Development Plan. The plan will be reviewed every five years to ensure alignment with national development goals and stakeholder needs.

President Marcos signed RA 12313 on October 23. The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.