President Marcos has signed into law the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) that seeks to promote continuous learning opportunities for Filipinos to create an inclusive, skilled, and productive nation.

Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12313 on Oct. 23.

Under RA 12313, the LLDF establishes standards and guidelines for implementing lifelong learning initiatives in cities, municipalities, barangays and lifelong learning providers.

Lifelong learning, as defined by the Act, recognizes learning as a continuous process that occurs through all life stages, enhancing know-how, skills, and competencies, in which the LLDF seeks to strengthen even further.

Under the new law, the LLDF shall promote functional literacy across all sectors, ensure inclusive education, revitalize learning in families and communities, and support workplace learning, with the participation of industry and other stakeholders.

It also seeks to extend the use of modern learning technologies, uphold learning quality, and foster a culture of learning throughout life.

The law also broadens and strengthens the mandate of the Philippine Qualifications Framework – National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC), established by virtue of Republic Act No. 10968, adding the secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as members.

All members of the PQF-NCC are directed to formulate, implement, review, and amend the LLDF, including the action components and success measures; develop a master plan in promoting lifelong learning and for designating learning cities, municipalities, or barangays; and monitor and evaluate the master plan, and work with the LGUs on its mandatory implementation and execution.

The Council shall also implement the Philippine Credit Transfer System (PCTS) within and across the different levels of education and modalities of delivery and recognition, along with lifelong learning institutions, and the Philippine Qualifications Register (PhQuaR); include in its annual report to the Office of the President (OP), the Senate, and the House of Representatives (HOR) its progress and accomplishments relating to LLDF; and support capability-building activities of the designated learning city, municipality, or barangay to effectively implement and measure the Master Plan's achievements or outcomes.

The council shall also integrate relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 8759 or the "Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999" to facilitate a seamless transition between education and employment; and recommend criteria for recognizing local government initiatives that promote sustainable education under Republic Act No. 11292 or the "The Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019".

Within six months from the law’s effectivity, the PQF-NCC, together with relevant stakeholders, must craft the national master plan aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

The master plan will be reviewed every five years to ensure alignment with evolving national development goals and stakeholder needs.