MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 34, June 19, 2025 ]
CONSTITUTING THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE AND DIRECTING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES TO SUPPORT THE PHILIPPINES' HOSTING OF THE WORLDSKILLS ASEAN MANILA 2025
WHEREAS, Section 14, Article XII of the Constitution provides that the State shall promote sustained development of a reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-level technical manpower and skilled workers, and craftsmen in all fields;
WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No.7796 or the "Technical Education and Skills development Authority (TESDA) Act of 1004" declares it a policy of the State to provide relevant, accessible, high-quality, and efficient technical education and skills development for Filipinos that is responsive to and in accordance with the country's development goals and priorities;
WHEREAS, Section 30 of RA No. 7796 directs TESDA to organize and conduct the annual National Skills Olympics to promote quality skills development in the country, with the end in view of participating in international skills competitions;
WHEREAS, the 14th WorldSkills Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Competition or the "WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 (WSASEAN 2025)" is a regional event that aims to bring together top youth talents from the ASEAN member-countries to showcase their technical and vocational skills, and to establish a global standard for skills excellence in the region;
WHEREAS, the Philippines, through TESDA, is set to host the WSASEAN 2025 on 26 to 28 August 2025 in Pasay City, where around 300 participants from 10 ASEAN member-countries are expected to compete in 32 skills areas covering six (6) different sectors, namely: (i) information and communication technology; (ii) construction and building technology; (iii) creative arts and fashion; (iv) manufacturing and engineering technology; (v) social and personal services; and (vi) transportation and logistics;
WHEREAS, to ensure the successful preparation and hosting of WSASEAN 2025, there is a need to constitute an Inter-Agency Task Force tasked with spearheading all government efforts relating to the preparation and hosting of WSASEAN 2025, and encourage the support from the national government, local government units (LGUs) and the private sector; and
WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all the Executive departments, bureaus, and offices;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and exiting laws, do hereby order:
Section 1. Creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force. There is hereby constituted an Inter-Agency Task Force ("Task Force") which shall have the primary duty of spearheading all government efforts relating to the preparation and hosting of WSASEAN 2025.
The Task Force shall be composed of the following:
| Chairperson |
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Director General, TESDA |
| Co-Chairperson |
: |
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment |
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Secretary, Department of Agriculture |
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Secretary, Department of Education |
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Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs |
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Secretary, Department of Health |
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Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government |
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Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways |
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Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry |
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Secretary, Department of Transportation |
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Secretary, Department of Tourism |
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Chairperson, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority |
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Chief, Philippine National Police |
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Commissioner, Bureau of Customs |
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Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration |
The TESDA shall serve as the Secretariat of the Task Force, and shall be tasked to provide the necessary technical, administrative, and operational support to the Task Force.
The Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, and the ex-officio members of the Task Force may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, as may be applicable, and who are fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf.
The Task Force shall be deemed functus officio upon the completion of WSASEAN 2025.
Section 2. Working Committee. To ensure smooth and efficient preparations for the WSASEAN 2025, the Task Force may establish working committees composed of the representatives of the member-agencies of the Task Force, with ranks not lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent. As needed, the working committees may expand their membership to include other government agencies, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Each working committee shall have its own secretariat to be provided by the designated chair, with assistance from TESDA as may be necessary.
Section 3. Agency Support.(awÞhi( In accordance with their respective mandates, all departments, agencies, instrumentalities, bureaus, and offices of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are hereby ordered to render full support, assistance, and cooperation to the Task Force in the implementation of this Order. LGUs and the private sector are hereby encouraged to cooperate and participate in the preparation and hosting of WSASEAN 2025.
Section 4. Funding. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against the available appropriations of the member-agencies of the Task Force, subject to applicable budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
Section 5. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. Repeal. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 7. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 19th day of May, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.
(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.
By the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary
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