The House of Representatives approved the measure, which mandates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide technical-vocational education and training (TVET) and livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug users, on the third and final reading.

With an affirmative vote from 260 lawmakers during nominal voting, House Bill No. 7721, or “An Act Mandating the TESDA to Design and Implement Technical-Vocational Education and Training and Livelihood Programs Specifically for Rehabilitated Drug Dependents” was passed.

“Many of our citizens who have fallen victim to illegal drugs and have successfully undergone rehabilitation find it very difficult to reintegrate into society as productive citizens not only because of the stigma but also due to the lack of skills needed to land a job,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

“This measure aims to help them become our partners in nation-building by contributing to the betterment of our country through self-reliance, productivity, and being employed in our industries,” he added.

“The TVET and livelihood programs shall focus on competitive and 5 employable skills that can be acquired and developed by rehabilitated drug dependents to further enhance 6 their ability to find gainful employment and entrepreneurial livelihood opportunities,” the bill reads.

The bill also mandates the DOLE to provide incentives to "companies which shall employ rehabilitated drug 9 dependents who have undergone the TVET and livelihood programs."

TESDA Director General, meanwhile, is entrusted to immediately include the agency’s program, budget design, and implementation of the TVET and livelihood programs.