MANILA: Senator Joel Villanueva has called on the Senate to pass a bill aimed at institutionalizing lifelong learning opportunities for Filipinos.

According to Philippines News Agency, in his sponsorship speech on Tuesday, Villanueva said Senate Bill No. 2960, or the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act, will foster a culture of continuous learning among Filipinos. “In today’s fast-changing world, marked by rapid technological advancements, education and training must transcend the traditional confines of schools. It must evolve into a lifelong and life-wide process,” Villanueva said.

The bill, filed on Monday, seeks to strengthen the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) by including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the PQF National Coordinating Council. It also introduces the concepts of “Learning Cities” and “Learning Municipalities,” empowering local governments to create tailored learning opportunities for their constituents.

Likewise, the bill aims to enhance micro-credentialing initiatives and strengthen the Philippine Credit Transfer System (PCTS) to ensure that diverse learning pathways are recognized and valued. Villanueva pointed out that the bill is a key priority of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2). “The challenges of today and the demands of tomorrow call for a more adaptive and forward-thinking approach to learning,” Villanueva said.