SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No.. 
728 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 14, Section 1, provides: 
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JUL 15 P 4 :17 
The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to equity 
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education 
accessible to all. 
The government's investment in a high quality education system is necessary not only for 
the future of our children and our families, but also for the future of the country. An educated 
citizenry and workforce are essential to compete in the global strong democracy. 
In order to promote prosperity and ensure individual opportunity, the government must 
make education a national priority. Strong leadership in education is needed more than ever. 
This bill seeks to provide grants to public educational institutions, in order to allow such 
institutions to promote certain educational initiatives that will enhance the quality of our public 
educational system. 1 
~~ J~ 
MIRIAM DEF~S;;;ANTI4o 
~ 
(#' 
I This bill was originally filed during tbe Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No, 
128 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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i{)dlff III til"; ~4_\""rf'~~f\1 
'13 
JUL 15 P 4 :17 
2 
PROVIDING GRANTS TO PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO ALLOW 
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SUCH INSTITUTIONS TO PROMOTE EDUCATION INITIATIVES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1, Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Education Initiatives Act." 
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SECTION 2. Program Authorized. - The Secretary of Education, referred to in this Act as 
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the Secretary, is authorized to award grants to public educational institutions to institutions to 
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promote the education initiatives described in Section 3, 
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SECTION 3, Eligibility. -
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(A) APPLICA nON - A public educational institution that desires to receive a grant 
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under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such form as the 
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Secretary may reasonably require. 
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(B) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, a public 
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educational institution shall demonstrate that such a school has developed each of the following 
14 
initiatives: 
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(1) CHARTER SCHOOL - A charter school program to allow parents greater 
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choice in selecting the appropriate educational setting for their child. 
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(2) EARL Y READING PROGRAMS - An elementary reading program to ensure 
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that all students can read by the third grade. 
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(3) SAFE AND DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT - A program to provide a safe 
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and drug-free environment at school. 
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(4) 
STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM -
A locally developed 
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standardized testing program to ensure that students are achieving at a high level. 
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(5) CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PANELS -
Curriculum development 
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panels composed of teachers and parents to ensure that students learn the skills necessary 
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to succeed. 
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(6) INCREASED TEACHING STANDARDS - A program to improve or 
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increase the standards for teachers to ensure teachers have the skills necessary to assist 
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students effectively. 
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(7) TEACHING EXCELLENCE - A program to ensure that the most qualified 
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teachers are hired, including teachers with experience in the workplace. 
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SECTION 4. Allocation of Funds. - A public educational institution that meets the 
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eligibility criteria described in Section 3 shall receive, subject to the availability of 
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appropriations, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. An 
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institution that receives a grant award under this Act may use not more than five percent (5%) of 
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such award for administrative expenses. 
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SECTION 5. Accountability. - Each public educational institution that receives a grant 
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award under this Act shall submit a report annually to the Secretary that evaluates the 
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effectiveness of the initiatives described under Section 3 and any change in parental involvement 
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as a result of such programs. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause, - Any law, presidential 'decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter. of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
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with, the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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