President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 36 establishing the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) to address challenges confronting the Philippine education sector, including poor teacher support and inconsistent policies.

“It is necessary to establish an effective coordinating mechanism among agencies involved in education and workforce development to address long-standing concerns in the education sector, and foster a complete, adequate, and integrated education system in the country,” stated the President’s order.

The order cited the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) report, which highlights problems such as the fragmented implementation of education programs, misaligned teacher development efforts, and inconsistent education plans and policies.

AO No. 36, which was issued on August 13, 2025, mandates that the EWDG be the primary coordinating body for all education and workforce development matters in the Philippines.

The EWDG is tasked with several responsibilities, including formulating a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NEWDP), evaluating existing inter-agency bodies related to education and workforce development, and assessing the current legal and policy framework governing these areas.

The EWDG is required to submit monthly performance reports to the President and the Executive Secretary, and may create technical working groups to support its initiatives.

The group will be chaired by the President, with the Secretary of Education as co-chairperson, and the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as vice-chairperson.

Members of the EWDG include the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Secretaries of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Presidential News Desk