Senator Bam Aquino has filed 10 education-focused bills aimed at addressing the country’s education crisis and improving the transition from school to employment. The proposed laws cover everything from job placement and classroom shortages to teacher pay and student support.

“We’re currently facing an education crisis that must be addressed urgently,” said Aquino, a former Senate education chair.

“We hope these bills help address the situation and respond to other pressing needs of our education system, so every Filipino student can enjoy the quality education they rightfully deserve.”

His key proposals include:

  • School-to-Employment Program (STEP) Act: Establishes Job Placement Offices in all public senior high schools, SUCs, and LUCs. It also creates national and local Industry-Academe Councils to align education with labor market needs and promote decent jobs. Schools would be encouraged to adapt course offerings based on industry demand.
  • Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act: Ensures 4Ps beneficiaries who finish senior high school and enroll in CHED-recognized HEIs receive full Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) support. The bill prioritizes the poorest students and sets academic and employability standards for TES-accredited schools.
  • Bayanihan Work Program Act: A national jobs guarantee program offering dignified work to all willing and able Filipinos, reducing reliance on government cash aid.
  • Adopt-A-School Act of 2025 & Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP): Tackle the estimated 165,000-classroom shortage by encouraging private sector support through tax incentives and allowing LGUs and private entities to construct classrooms, with national government funding.
  • Angat Sweldo Para sa Guro Act: Proposes a P10,000 monthly pay increase for public school teachers and qualified non-teaching staff, implemented in three tranches over three years.
  • Libreng RLE Act: Eliminates Related Learning Experience (RLE) fees for nursing students in SUCs and LUCs, and expands TES to cover RLE fees in accredited private schools.
  • E-Textbook Para sa Lahat Act: Requires all DepEd-approved textbooks to be made available in free digital format for teachers and students.
  • Student Discount Para sa Load Act: Grants a 20% discount on mobile load, calls, texts, and internet for students from elementary to college to support online learning.
  • Private Education Voucher Expansion Act: Expands the basic education voucher program and supports private schools through teacher training and institutional development.

–IMT