Administrative Order No. 36

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 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:

Education and Workforce Development Group

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.

Convergence

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.

Separability

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.

Effectivity

Section 7. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately. DONE, in the City of Manila, this 13 th day of August, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five.   (SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.   By  the President:     (SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary