Accreditation and Equivalency Program EO

Executive Order No. 733 directs the government to integrate and coordinate efforts that connect learning gained through non-formal and informal training to formal education and recognized standards.
The Program is intended to improve the daily lives of children and youth by making social justice, equal protection of laws, and the right to a decent standard of living practical realities.
Working youth and those outside the school system must be assured protection against exploitation and must be assisted in finding skills-enrichment employment and community participation channels.
Knowledge and skills are recognized as acquired not only through formal schooling but also through ongoing non-formal and informal training.
Youth are treated as ultimate beneficiaries and are given an opportunity to participate significantly in policy-making through the government’s youth-related structures.

Executive Order No. 733 aligns the educational system with national development objectives and cites mandates under Presidential Decree No. 6-A, P.D. 1139, P.D. 442, and P.D. 684.
Executive Order No. 733 cites that the National Educational Testing Center was directed to implement an accreditation and equivalency scheme.
Executive Order No. 733 cites that the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) is mandated to train out-of-school youth in employable skills and to establish skills standards through trade certification under P.D. 442 as amended.
Executive Order No. 733 cites that the Ministry of Labor and Employment is mandated under P.D. 442 as amended to train youth through the apprenticeship and learnership program.
Executive Order No. 733 cites existing agency initiatives:
- The Ministry of Agriculture through the Anak Bukid program for agricultural training for gainful employment, particularly for out-of-school rural youth.
- The Ministry of Social Services and Development through its Integrated Human Resources Development Program to promote youth development for self-reliance and social responsibility.
- The Kabataang Barangay under P.D. 684 and its Batarisan Program under Letter of Instructions No. 640.
Executive Order No. 733 also recognizes private industries, other government agencies, and civic organizations as engaged in human resource development and youth skills training.

Section 1 creates an Accreditation and Equivalency Board.
The Board is composed of the following members:
- The Chairman of the Kabataang Barangay.
- The Minister of Education and Culture and Sports.
- The Minister of Labor and Employment.
- The Director General of National Manpower and Youth Council.
- The Minister of Social Services and Development.
- The Minister of Agriculture.
- The Executive Director of National Educational Testing Center.
Section 1 makes the listed officials the Board’s composition for policy formulation and program coordination.
Section 1 places the Board within the operational framework for the National Accreditation and Equivalency Program.

Section 2 empowers the Board to formulate policies and guidelines to achieve the purposes of the National Accreditation and Equivalency Program.
Section 2 directs the Board to initiate a climate within the labor force that encourages individual workers to develop themselves.
Section 2 requires the Board to formulate guidelines for member institutions in implementing sectoral accreditation policies.

Section 3 expands the functions of the National Educational Testing Center (NETC) of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
Section 3 authorizes NETC to establish an accreditation and equivalency scheme through examination and other assessment procedures that link non-formal and formal education by accrediting skills, knowledge, and experience acquired through non-formal means.
Section 3 requires NETC to administer the Philippine Educational Placement Test and other tests it develops to accredit academic achievement gained by youth outside school and to confer the corresponding formal education equivalency.
Section 3 directs NETC to undertake continuous follow-up research studies of school leavers and other participants of the Accreditation and Equivalency Program (ADP).
Section 3 authorizes NETC to identify deserving recipients of scholarship grants or other financial assistance from among youth who want to pursue education.

Section 4 expands the role of the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) in administering the National Trade Skills Standards.
Section 4 links the NMYC’s role to Article 48 of the New Labor Code, which requires consultation with employers and workers organizations and appropriate government authorities, and then administration of the standards.
Section 4 authorizes NMYC to establish an accreditation and equivalency scheme through trade skills testing and certification that links non-formal and formal education by accrediting skills and experience acquired through formal and non-formal means.
Section 4 authorizes NMYC to include National Occupational Standards in National Trade Skills Standardization.

Section 5 authorizes the Board to call upon any ministry, bureau, agency, or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, for needed assistance.
Section 5 enjoins private individuals, entities, and other institutions to extend full support and cooperation to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Accreditation and Equivalency Program.
Section 6 authorizes the Ministry of the Budget to release annually One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) to the National Educational Testing Center through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
Section 6 requires that the P1,000,000.00 be taken from the testing collections of the Ministry deposited in the National Treasury.
Section 6 requires each other member agency to contribute Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) each taken from its respective budgetary allocations, and requires these contributions to be pooled.
Section 6 provides that the pooled contributions are applied for purposes of accreditation and equivalency as the Board determines.

Section 7 provides that the program’s enabling administrative mechanisms take effect immediately upon issuance.
Executive Order No. 733 operationalizes implementation through created Board governance and expanded functions of NETC and NMYC.
Executive Order No. 733 establishes ongoing coordination by directing member agencies to contribute funding and cooperate in accreditation and equivalency implementation.