THE SENATE  has approved Senate Bill No. 2960, the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Bill, on third reading, advancing a national strategy to equip Filipinos with skills and knowledge for a rapidly changing world.

Authored and sponsored by Senator Joel Villanueva, Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), the bill is co-authored by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Commissioner Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. It is a priority under EDCOM 2’s education reform agenda.

“This bill is more than a policy—it’s a mindset shift, recognizing that education extends beyond formal schooling,” Villanueva said in his sponsorship speech. He emphasized the need for continuous, flexible, and inclusive education in settings like community centers, workplaces, and other learning environments.

The LLDF bill establishes systems to support learning at all life stages, enabling upskilling and reskilling for students, workers, entrepreneurs, early school leavers, and senior citizens. According to the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 6.45 million high school graduates lack functional literacy, while 15.8% of college graduates struggle with reading comprehension and knowledge application.

The bill strengthens the Philippine Qualifications Framework by expanding its National Coordinating Council to include the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry, fostering a coordinated approach to learning opportunities across sectors.

A key feature is the creation of “Learning Cities” and “Learning Municipalities,” recognizing local government units that promote community-based learning. These LGUs will receive support for digital learning tools, training centers, adult education, and literacy initiatives.

EDCOM 2’s Year Two report highlighted the lack of a national structure for lifelong learning and credential recognition, noting that millions of Filipinos remain functionally illiterate despite formal education. “Learning must be lifelong and life-wide. This bill will help our people stay competitive amid AI, automation, and modern economic demands,” Villanueva said.