THE COMMITTEE on Basic Education and Culture and Committee on Higher and Technical Education at the House of Representatives approved bills that seek to establish in every region and highly urbanized city at least one specialized high school to be known as the National Academy for Technical and Vocational Skills.

Members of the committees agreed to consolidate and endorse for plenary discussions House Bill Numbers 652 and 996.

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, chairman of the Committee on Basic Education and the author of House Bill 996, said the measure seeks to better equip senior high school students who chose the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track, making them more employable after graduation.

HB 996 stipulates that each NATVS will have a funding of at least P100 million for its initial implementation.

Thereafter, the budget will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Under the proposed law, the government will partner with local chambers of commerce, manufacturing companies, economic zones and locators, and other private sector stakeholders in business and industry in order to provide equipment, facilities, scholarships, mentoring, training, as well aas jobs for NATVS graduates and students.