A House committee has approved a bill directing TESDA to provide targeted training and livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug dependents.
House Bill No. 4699, authored by former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, aims to equip recovering individuals with marketable skills while giving employers incentives to hire them.
The program, in coordination with DOLE, will focus on technical-vocational education and small enterprise opportunities to help former dependents secure wage employment or start businesses.
TESDA is required to integrate funding for the initiative into the national budget, ensuring consistent training slots, tools, and scholarships.
Supporters say the measure addresses social stigma, promotes second-chance employment, and is expected to receive bipartisan backing when it goes to the House plenary.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 2, 2026
