TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
■J';.’,-,, •• r>. . .
25 JUl 10 P6:19
SENATE 
S. No. ^36
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING 
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, it is the policy of 
the State to recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building. The State shall 
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. 
However, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveal that in 2020, 
approximately 25% of Filipinos aged 5 to 24 years old—equivalent to around 10.7 
million individuals — were considered out-of-school children and youth (OSCY). The 
highest proportion of OSCYs belonged to the 20-24 age group. Major reasons for their 
non-participation in formal education included early marriage or family obligations, the 
high cost of education, and lack of personal motivation.
Even prior to the pandemic, the Philippine education system faced persistent 
issues regarding equitable access to quality education. Low completion rates at the 
secondary and tertiary levels highlighted the need for urgent and inclusive 
interventions. The shift to online and blended learning modalities during the pandemic 
further deepened existing educational inequalities, as over a million students were 
unable to continue their education due to lack of access to digital tools and internet 
connectivity.


Thus, this proposed measure aims to empower the out-of-school youth through 
social protection that will enable them to develop themselves to their full potential and 
motivate them to contribute to nation-building. This bill also seeks to provide the out- 
of-school youth an alternative learning system, entrepreneurial education, and free 
technical or vocational education and employment and economic opportunities.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is thus earnestly sought.
RARFY T. TULFOJf


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2b JULIO ?6 0 9
S. No.
SENATE
436
filiC
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING 
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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CHAPTER I
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as " Out-of-Schoo! Youth
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Development and Assistance Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State values the dignity of every human
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person and guarantees full respect for human rights. Pursuant thereto, the State
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recognizes the right of out-of-school youth to social protection and to develop their
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full potential as partners in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall
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promulgate measures to achieve the following objectives:
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a) To inspire and encourage the out-of-school youth to contribute to nation building;
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b) To recognize the rights of out-of-school youth in the society;
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c) To provide an alternative learning system and a program for technical or vocational
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education for the out-of-school youth;
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d) To give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the out-of school
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youth by providing educational development and employment opportunities; and
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e) To recognize the important role of the private sector in improving the welfare of
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out-of-school youth and to actively seek their partnership.


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CHAPTER II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
Sec 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Aiternative Learning System refers to a parallel learning system in the Philippines 
that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. It includes both the 
non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
b) Out-of-schooi Youth refers to a member of the population aged 15 to 30 years old 
who is currently out-of-school, not gainfully employed, and has not finished college or 
a post-secondary course.
c) Social Protection refers to policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and 
vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of all out-of-school youth 
by promoting livelihood and employment opportunities, protecting against financial 
hazards such as the sudden loss of income, and improving people's capacity to 
manage risks. Its components are labor market programs, social insurance, social 
welfare, and social safety nets.
d) Substantive Equality refers to the full and equal enjoyment of rights and freedoms 
contemplated under this Act and encompasses de jure and de facto equality in 
outcomes.
e) Technical Vocational Education refers to the aspects of educational process 
involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related 
sciences and the acquisition of practical skills relating to occupations in various sectors 
of economic and social life. The term is comprised of formal (organized programs as 
part of the school system), and non-formal (organized classes outside the school 
system) approaches; and
f) TESDA Graduate refers to a student or trainee who has completed the requirements 
set for a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-registered 
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) course/program.
CHAPTER III
DUTIES RELATED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH 
Sec. 4. State as the Primary Duty-Bearer - The State, through the National 
Youth Commission (NYC) and concerned youth serving agencies, shall be guided by 
progressive developments in the human rights of out-of-school youth under


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international law, and shall endeavor to design policies, laws, and other regulatory
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measures to fulfill these duties. It shall institute programs that will carry out the
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objectives of this Act and promote the following:
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a. The protection of the rights of out-of-school youth against discrimination by private
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corporations, entitles, and individuals; and
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b. The substantive equality in the rights of out-of-school youth in all spheres of and
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development.
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Sec. 5. Duties of the State Agencies and Instrumentalities. - The duties of the
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State as stated in Section 4 of this Act shall extend to all state agencies, offices, and
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instrumentalities at all levels of government including government-owned and-
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controlled corporations, subject to the Constitution and pertinent laws, policies, or
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administrative guidelines that govern the state agencies and entities concerned.
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CHAPTER IV
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RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT
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Sec. 6. Human Rights of Out-of-Schoo! Youth. - An out-of-school youth shall
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enjoy, without discrimination, all rights provided for in the Constitution and those
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rights recognized under international instruments duly ratified by the Philippines, in
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consonance with Philippine laws.
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Sec. 7. Protection from Violence. - The State shall ensure that all out-of-school
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youth shall be protected from all forms of violence, particularly in cases of physical
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abuse, sexual exploitation and human trafficking as provided for in existing laws. The
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Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD), and
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other concerned agencies, shall give priority to the defense and protection of out-of-
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school youths and help in attaining justice and healing.
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Sec. 8. Equal Treatment Before the Law. - The NYC and other youth-serving
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agencies shall take steps to review and, when necessary, amend or repeal existing
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laws that are discriminatory to out-of-school youths.
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Sec. 9. Representation of Out-of-Schoo! Youth Issues and Concerns in Media
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and Film. - The NYC and other concerned agencies shall formulate policies and
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programs for the advancement of out-of-school youth in collaboration with
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government and non-government media-related organizations. For this purpose, the
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State shall ensure allocation of resources for the production, publication and airing of


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all forms of information materials on the rights of the out-of-school youth and the
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various services and benefits provided to them under this Act.
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Sec. 10. Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Identity and Integrity. -The
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rights of Moro and Indigenous out-of-school youth to practice, promote, protect, and
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preserve their own culture, traditions, and institutions and to consider these rights in
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the formulation and implementation of national policies and programs shall be upheld.
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To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the National
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Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) shall, in consultation with the sectors
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concerned to protect their rights. Indigenous knowledge system and practices,
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traditional livelihood, and other appropriate measures to promote and to respect for
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their rights, practices and way of life; Provided, That these cultural systems and
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practices do not discriminate against other out-of-school youth.
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CHAPTER V
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GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
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Sec. 11. Government Assistance. - The National Government, through its
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agencies and instrumentalities shall provide the following:
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a. Education - The Department of Education (DepEd), TESDA, and the Commission on
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Higher Education (CHED), in consultation with the non-government organizations
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(NGOs), shall institute a program that will ensure access of out-of-school youth to
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formal and non-formal education;
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b. Health - The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government
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units (LGUs) and NGOs, shall institute a national health program and provide an
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integral health service for out-of-school youth;
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c. Social Service - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in
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cooperation with the LGUs, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders shall develop and
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implement programs on social services for out-of-school youth, the components of
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which are:
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1. Social Enhancement Services, which provide the out-of-school youth with
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opportunities for socializing, organizing creative expression, and improvement
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of self; and
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2. After Care Services, which provide for support services for out-of-school
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youth who are discharged from the homes or institutions of the DSWD, and


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Other private institutions duly accredited by the DSWD, especially those who 
have problems of reintegration with family and the community, 
d. Employment - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination 
with other government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 
and TESDA, shall assess, design, and implement training programs that will provide 
skills and welfare or livelihood support for out-of-school youth.
CHAPTER VI
MANDATORY TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 
Sec. 12. Mandatory Technical/Vocational Education. - It shall be the duty of the 
State to provide technical or vocational education to the out-of-school youth. The 
course shall be provided and/or managed by TESDA in accordance with its training 
regulations.
Sec. 13. Alternative Learning System. - An alternative learning system of 
education shall be made available to out-of-school youth in the barangays.
For out-of-school students who are in the custody of a home or an institution 
managed by the DSWD, the latter shall coordinate with the DepEd for the provision 
of an alternative learning system within its premises.
Sec. 14. Education Cost and Support - The TESDA shall provide technical and 
vocational education services to out-of-school youth free of charge. It shall likewise 
provide materials, instruments, and tools that the out-of-school youth may need while 
enrolled in a technical/vocational course, and financial support to cover transportation 
and other related costs for the duration of the training.
Sec. 15. Entrepreneurial Education. - The DTI, in coordination with TESDA and 
other relevant government agencies, shall conduct a training program to provide the 
out-of-school youth with the knowledge, skills and motivation to encourage 
entrepreneurial endeavors. The program shall include small business management, 
new approaches on innovation, or introduction of new products or services to the 
markets.
Sec. 16. Promotion to Forma! Tertiary Education. - The Local Social Welfare 
and Development Officers may recommend an out-of-school youth to be a recipient 
of a scholarship grant from the CHED under either Republic Act No. 10931 or the


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Universal Access to Quality tertiary Education or Republic Act No. 10687 or the Unified 
Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UNIFAST).
CHAPTER VII
EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL FACILITATION
Sec. 17. Employment- Out-of-school youth who have the capacity and desire 
to work shall be provided employment opportunities to enable their transition as 
productive members of society.
Sec. 18. Entrepreneurial Facilitation. - The DTT shall establish a community- 
based method of addressing the needs and barriers facing out-of-school youth 
entrepreneurs. The objective of entrepreneurial facilitation is to encourage and retain 
a diverse and robust local entrepreneurial economy that leads to more opportunities 
for the out-of-school youth.
Sec. 19. Right to Decent Work. -The DOLE, in coordination with TESDA, shall 
ensure decent work standards for out-of-school youth who have graduated from TVET 
courses, including the following minimum guarantees:
a. Local job generation and employment, economic opportunities and providing strict 
regulations against forced and involuntary displacement; and
b. Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of migrant TVET graduates 
regardless of work status, and protection against discrimination in wages conditions 
of work, and employment opportunities in host countries.
Sec. 20. Social Protection. - The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and 
concerned agencies shall institute policies and programs that seek to reduce the 
poverty and vulnerability to risks of out-of-school youth by protecting them against 
the financial hazards of sudden loss of income, and improving capacity to manage 
risks. Further, the State shall ensure that out-of-school youth workers and TVET 
graduates shall be provided by their employer with a mandatory life, accident and 
health insurance coverage.
CHAPTER VIII
ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE
Sec. 21. Especially Difficult Circumstances. - Out-of-school youth who are in 
especially difficult circumstances such as victims of sexual and physical abuse, illegal 
recruitment, prostitution, trafficking, armed conflict, out-of-school youth in conflict


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with the law, and such other related circumstances which have caused functional
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incapacity in society, shall be provided with services and interventions as necessary
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such as:
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a. Temporary and protective custody;
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b. Medical and dental services;
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c. Psychological evaluation;
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d. Counseling;
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e. Psychiatric evaluation;
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f. Legal services;
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g. Productivity capability-building;
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h. Livelihood assistance;
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i. Financial assistance;
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j. Life skills training; and
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k. Health education and information.
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Sec. 22. Inter-Agency Support. -The NYC, in coordination with the DSWD, DOJ,
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DOH, DepEd and the Advisory Council created under R.A. No. 8044, and concerned
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LCDs shall lead in facilitating, implementing, monitoring and planning programs for
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the rehabilitation of out-of-school youth.
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Sec. 23. Duty of the LGU. - It is the duty of the LGU where the out-of-school
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youth resides to deliver the necessary services and interventions under their respective
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jurisdictions.
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CHAPTER IX
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ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
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Sec. 24. Role of Advisory Council. -The Advisory Council created under Republic
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Act No. 8044 or the "Youth in Nation-Building Act" shall plan, coordinate, and monitor
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yearly work programs in compliance with the objectives of this Act. It shall formulate
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and implement a National Comprehensive Multi-Stakeholder Plan of Action for out-of-
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school youth.
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The Advisory Council shall also coordinate with and ensure that the relevant
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agencies of the government have appropriate programs for the out-of-school youth in
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accordance with the objectives of this Act.


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The Advisory Council shall cause the prominent display of information materials
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in government institutions and private establishments aimed at generating public
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awareness on the rights of out-of-school youth.
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Sec. 25. Role of Local Social Welfare and Development Officer. - The Local
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Social Welfare and Development Officer shall assist the Advisory Council in the
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effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and shall perform the following
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functions:
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a. Draw up a list of available and required services which can be provided for out-of-
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school youth;
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b. Maintain and regularly update on an annual basis the list of out-of-school youth and
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to issue nationally uniform individual identification cards free of charge, which shall
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be valid anywhere in the country;
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c. Serve as a focal person on the dissemination of general information and feedback
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in regard to the needs of the out-of-school youth;
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d. Report to the Mayor, any individual, establishment, business entity, institution, or
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agent found violating any provision of this Act;
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e. Coordinate with the Advisory Council to ensure compliance with the provisions of
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this Act; and
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f. Monitor the compliance of government institutions as well as private establishments
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to prominently display information materials such as posters, banners and pamphlets
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that will generate public awareness on the rights and welfare of out-of-school youth.
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SEC. 26. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall,
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upon conviction, suffer the following penalties:
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a) For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more
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than two (2) years and fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but
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not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00);
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b) For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not
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more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos
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(P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00);
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c) For any person who avails of any of the benefits and privileges granted under this
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Act but who is not qualified to avail of the same, imprisonment of not less than six (6)


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months and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more
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than One hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,000.00);
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d) If the offender is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials
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thereof directly involved in the violation or abuse shall be held liable.
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e) If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, the person shall be deported immediately
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upon service of sentence without further proceedings.
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Upon filing of the appropriate complaint or information, the proper authorities,
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in coordination with the concerned LGU, shall cause the cancellation or revocation of
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the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted
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to any business entity or person that fails to abide by or violates the provisions of this
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Act.
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Sec. 27. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned
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government agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act;
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Sec. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The Advisory Council created
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under Republic Act No. 8044 shall promulgate, not later than thirty (30) days upon
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the effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
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implementation of this Act: Provided, That the failure to promulgate the rules and
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regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
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Sec. 29. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act, is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 30. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with that provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly;
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Sec. 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,