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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ---
Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES' 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act (RA) No. 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act, was enacted in 2013 
promising to increase the employability and competitiveness of basic education graduates in an 
increasingly globalizing world. It increased the number ·of years of secondary education from four ( 4) 
years to six ( 6) years. Government expenditure increased to cover the additional two years of 
secondary educatio°' while families spent more time and resources to make sure children graduate 
from the expanded basic education system. 
Ten years since the passage of the law, there is evidence that the results of these reforms do 
not justify the additional monetary and time costs brought about by RA No. 10533. Filipino students 
have repeatedly scored low on reading comprehension and mathematical literacy tests conducted by 
various international organizations. The focus on the number of years spent in basic education while 
not addressing the quality of teaching at both primary and secondary levels has prevented the basic 
education system from achieving the promises of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of2013. It is thus 
time to review the law to calibrate the country's basic education system to hit the root causes of our 
students' underpeformance and lack of employability in the global market. 
This bill aims to free up the necessary resources to address backlogs in our education system 
such as infrastructure and study materials by shortening secondary education to four ( 4) years. College 
and university-bound students will be required to take an additional two (2) years of college-
preparatory educatio°' to ensure the competitiveness of Filipino students as they enter higher education 
institutions (HEis). 
For the reasons above-cited, and the desire for a smooth transition towards a more empowered 
regulatory commission, the approval of this measure is earnestly sough/ 
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO 
Representative, 2nd District Pampanga 
July 2, 2025
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ---
Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10533 is hereby amended as follows: 
Enhanced Basic Education Program. -
The enhanced basic education 
program encompasses at least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six ( 6) years 
of elementary education, and four ( 4) years of secondary education, in that 
sequence. Provided that, there shall be an additional two (2) years of post-
secondary, pre-university education as preparation for professional degree 
studies. This program shall be known as the K Plus 10 Plus 2 program. 
Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic 
education. It consists of four ( 4) years of high school education. Completion of 
this stage shall qualify graduates to enroll in Technical Vocational Institutions 
(TVIs). 
Post-secondary, pre-university education refers to the fourth stage of 
education, compulsory only as preparation for professional degree studies in 
Higher Education Institutions (HEis ). 
Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners 
as the language plays a strategic role in shaping the formative years of learners. 
For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of elementary education, 
instruction, teaching materials and assessment shall be in the regional or native 
language of the learners. The Department of Education (DepED) shall formulate 
a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6 so that English 
shall be gradually introduced as languages of instruction until such time when it 
can become the primary language of instruction at the secondary level. 
For purposes of this Act, mother language or first Language (LI) refers to 
language or languages first learned by a child, which he/she identifies with, is 
identified as a native language user of by others, which he/she knows best, or uses 
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most. This includes Filipino sign language used by individuals with pertinent 
disabilities. The regional or native language refers to the traditional speech variety 
or variety of Filipino sign language existing in a region, area or place. 
SEC. 2. Sec. 12 of Republic Act No. 10533 is hereby amended as follows: 
Transitory Provisions. -
The Department of Education shall formulate 
the appropriate strategies and mechanisms needed to ensure smooth transition 
from the existing enhanced basic education (K to 12) cycle to the new enhanced 
basic education (K Plus 10 Plus 2) cycle provided by this Act. The strategies may 
cover changes in physical infrastructure, manpower, organizational and structural 
concerns. Modeling for post-secondary, pre-university education may be 
implemented in selected schools to simulate the transition process and provide 
concrete data for the transition plan. Said strategies shall replace the need for 
Implementing Rule and Regulations. 
SEC. 3. Appropriations. 
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The Secretary of Education shall include in the 
Department's program the operationalization of the enhanced basic education program, the 
initial funding of which shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DepED. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of the enhanced basic 
education program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. -
If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions 
hereof. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. -
Pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa Big. 232 or the 
"Education Act of 1982", Republic Act No. 9155 or the "Governance of Basic Education Act 
of2001 ", Republic Act No. 9258, Republic Act No. 7836, Republic Act No. 10533, especially 
Sec. 16 thereof, and all other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations contrary 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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