Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN ACADEMIC RECOVERY AND ACCESSIBLE LEARNING 
PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Learning poverty,” according to the World Bank, means being unable to read and 
understand a simple text by age 10. This indicator brings together schooling and 
learning indicators: it begins with the share of children who haven’t achieved 
minimum reading proficiency (as measured in schools) and is adjusted by the 
proportion of children who are out of school (and are assumed not able to read 
proficiently).  
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, learning poverty already plagued the educational 
system in the Philippines. For instance, in the 2018 Programme for International 
Student Assessment, out of seventy-nine (79) countries, Filipino students ranked 
last in Reading and second to the last in Mathematics and Science. In the 2019 
Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics, it was concluded that majority of Filipino 
students have difficulty in English and arithmetic problems. Finally, in the 2019 
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, out of fifty-eight (58) 
countries, the Philippines ranked last both in Science and Mathematics. 
The World Bank projected that learning poverty is expected to increase due to 
unprecedented 
pandemic-induced 
disruptions 
to 
the 
schooling 
system. 
Furthermore, several researches has consistently concluded that the pandemic and 
initial school closures increased inequality in educational outcomes across racial and 
socioeconomic lines. Hence, it is necessary to immediately and effectively mitigate 
the learning loss caused by the pandemic. 
This bill seeks to establish the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) 
Program which shall ensure that learners who: (1) did not enroll in Academic Year 
2020 to 2021; (2) are lagging academically; and (3) are at and marginally above the 
minimum level of mastery required in Language, Mathematics, and Science, are 
provided optimal instructional time to ensure mastery of essential competencies to 
make up for such learning loss. The ARAL Program is essentially an institutionalized 
tutorial sessions with high-quality instructional materials that are aligned with core 
classroom content or grade level standards. The tutors under the ARAL Program are 
September 1, 2021
9:41 am
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teachers and para-teachers who shall be provided with proper remuneration for their 
services. The program also aims to be accessible by widening the reach of tutorial 
sessions through the several modes of delivery – including face-to-face, online, or 
blended learning. 
In line with the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. WES GATCHALIAN 
Representative 
1st District of Valenzuela 


 2 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN ACADEMIC RECOVERY AND ACCESSIBLE LEARNING 
PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Academic Recovery 
1 
and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act.” 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to the following learners under the 
4 
Department of Education (DepEd): (a) those who did not enroll in School Year 2020 
5 
to 2021; (b) those who are lagging academically; and (c) those who are at and 
6 
marginally above the minimum level of mastery required in Language, Mathematics, 
7 
and Science. 
8 
9 
SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. – It is the declared policy of the 
10 
State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels 
11 
and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. 
12 
Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to support learners by establishing 
13 
a free and effective national remedial program to provide learners who experienced 
14 
learning loss as a result of the pandemic school closures, with supplemental lessons 
15 
to close learning gaps and enable them to catch up to their cohorts. 
16 
17 
SEC 4. Establishment of the ARAL Program. – The ARAL Program is hereby 
18 
established to provide a national learning intervention program which shall be 
19 
grounded on the following areas: 
20 
a) Well-systematized 
tutorial 
sessions 
which 
demonstrate 
higher
21 
achievement gains; 
22 
b) Well-designed remediation plans tailored fit to the learning needs of
23 
learners; 
24 
c)
Careful assessment and evaluation of the progress of learners;
25 
d) Well-chosen and trained remedial instruction facilitators; and
26 
e)
Adequate provision of nutritional, social, emotional, and mental health
27 
support to ensure the holistic well-being of learners, and for them to
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 3 
prosper academically, build resilience against adversity, and be 
1 
equipped with skills and confidence to seek help for early intervention 
2 
during their educational journey. 
3 
The program shall further ensure that learners shall be provided optimal 
instructional time to ensure mastery of essential competencies and make up for 
learning loss.  
 
4 
SEC. 5. Most Essential Learning Competencies in Language, Mathematics, and 
5 
Science. – The ARAL Program shall cover the most essential learning competencies 
6 
under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum covering the subjects of Language 
7 
and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10.  
8 
Reading, which is included in the most essential learning competencies in 
9 
Language, shall be prioritized to develop the critical and analytical thinking skills of 
10 
learners. 
11 
For Kindergarten learners, the ARAL Program shall focus on building 
12 
foundational skills aimed at strengthening their literacy and numeracy 
13 
competencies. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 6. Determination of Learners under the ARAL Program. – The DepEd shall 
16 
determine the learners to be covered by this program using its Learner Information 
17 
System (LIS) and other relevant databases. 
18 
The DepEd may likewise use the learners’ academic performance in school 
19 
years prior to School Year 2020-2021 to determine those who are at and marginally 
20 
above the minimum mastery requirements of the subjects covered by this Act. 
21 
Priority shall be given to younger learners. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 7. Tutors under the ARAL Program. – Teachers and para-teachers shall 
24 
be responsible for tutoring learners under the ARAL Program. Tertiary level students 
25 
may volunteer as tutors provided that they are at or above the 75th percentile of their 
26 
respective school cohorts in the subject that they will be teaching and have passed 
27 
a mock tutoring session to be administered by the DepEd. 
28 
The tutors shall employ a step-based approach which provides corrective 
29 
feedback on each question or problem faced by learners. They shall be supportive 
30 
and empathetic of their needs, motivation, and behavior. To facilitate positive tutor-
31 
learner relationships, a stronger understanding of the learners’ learning needs, and 
32 
greater academic, social, and motivational outcomes, the ARAL Program shall strive 
33 
to pair a learner or learners with the same tutor for the entire duration of the 
34 
program.  
35 
For purposes of this Act, teachers refer all persons engaged in teaching at the 
36 
elementary and secondary levels, whether on full-time or part-time basis, including 
37 
technical-vocational teachers and all other persons performing supervisory or 
38 
administrative functions, or both, in all schools in the aforesaid levels and qualified 
39 
to practice teaching under existing laws. Para-teachers are those who have taken the 
40 
Licensure Examination for Teachers but were unable to qualify, and have been 
41 
issued by the Board for Professional Teachers a special permit indicating their area 
42 
of assignment.  
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 4 
SEC. 8. Conduct of Tutorial Sessions; Group Size of Learners. – Tutorial 
1 
sessions may be held on weekends during the school year or semestral breaks, as 
2 
may be deemed necessary. Learners may be grouped according to their assessed 
3 
learning needs. One-on-one tutorial may also be provided to learners taking into 
4 
consideration their particular learning needs. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 9. Instructional Materials. – The ARAL Program shall use high-quality 
7 
instructional materials that are aligned with core classroom content or grade level 
8 
standards to enable tutors to reinforce and support teachers’ classroom instruction. 
9 
The instructional materials shall address concepts and build foundational skills 
10 
which are most critical to the improvement of learning outcomes. 
11 
 
12 
SEC. 10. Delivery Modes for Tutorial Sessions. – Tutorial sessions shall be 
13 
conducted using any of the following delivery modes to ensure that the sessions are 
14 
accessible to or within the reach of learners: 
15 
a) Face-to-face tutorials where tutors and learners are physically present 
16 
in the same place; 
17 
b) Online tutorials where tutors facilitate the tutorial sessions and engage 
18 
the learners’ active participation by using various technologies so that 
19 
learning can be accessed anytime while they are geographically remote 
20 
from each other; and 
21 
c) Blended learning where a specified number of tutorial sessions include 
22 
online and face-to-face tutorials. 
23 
In determining the venue for the tutorial sessions, the DepEd shall consider 
24 
accessibility, cost-effectiveness and health-safety risk. The DepEd, in collaboration 
25 
with the local government unit, shall provide a safe learning environment for face-
26 
to-face tutorials by investing in hygiene facilities and supplies and establishing safety 
27 
health protocols therein. 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 11. Assessment of the ARAL Program and its Learners. – To ensure the 
30 
effectiveness and success of the ARAL Program, the determination of the learning 
31 
status and progress of learners, the establishment of appropriate tutoring strategies 
32 
and interventions, and the evaluation of teaching effectiveness shall be grounded on 
33 
evidence-based practices. 
34 
In addition to pre- and post- assessments, tutors shall conduct formative 
35 
assessments of their learners to allow them to provide timely feedback on each 
36 
learner and effectively tailor their instruction based on the learners’ individual 
37 
learning needs. 
38 
 
39 
SEC. 12. Capacity Building and Assessment of Tutors. – To successfully 
40 
improve learning outcomes as envisioned by the ARAL Program, tutors shall receive 
41 
adequate training, focusing on innovative instructional techniques, interpersonal 
42 
skills, social-emotional learning, and cultural competency, among others, as may be 
43 
deemed necessary. 
44 
To engage learners effectively during online tutorials, the ARAL Program shall 
45 
further support and develop tutors to incorporate online tools into their tutoring 
46 
practices and methods and help learners overcome their online learning difficulties.  
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 5 
 
1 
SEC. 13. Campaigns for Learners to Return to School. – The ARAL Program 
2 
shall create mass awareness campaigns on media and through community 
3 
engagement to encourage learners to re-enroll and return to school through the 
4 
following strategies: 
5 
a) Flexible enrollment dates; 
6 
b) Accessible physical or digital enrollment forms. Digital enrollment forms 
7 
shall be available on the website of the DepEd, while physical enrollment 
8 
forms shall be made available at accessible locations to be established in 
9 
schools and barangay halls; 
10 
c) Extension of deadlines for submission of required enrollment documents; 
11 
d) Presence of health and sanitation facilities; 
12 
e) Establishment of public health and safety protocols upon resumption of 
13 
face-to-face classes; and 
14 
f) Continuous implementation of school feeding programs. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 14. Updated Learner Information System (LIS). – The DepEd shall update 
17 
its LIS which shall contain the following additional information: 
18 
a) Name and academic background of tutors; 
19 
b) Name, grade level, and school of learners and their corresponding 
20 
scores and grades in their remedial subjects; 
21 
c) Performance of learners on tasks and activities administered during the 
22 
tutorial sessions; 
23 
d) Assessment of learners; and 
24 
e) Tutorial materials, lectures, or modules used. 
25 
 
26 
SEC. 15. Free Access to All of DepEd’s Learning Platforms; Special Services for 
27 
Learners and Tutors. – Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) shall provide free 
28 
access to all of DepEd’s learning platforms, including online educational platforms, 
29 
digital libraries, and other online knowledge hubs without any additional financial 
30 
burden on all learners and tutors. No data charges shall also be incurred in the 
31 
download of data from these sites and applications. Learners and tutors shall also 
32 
be provided subsidized data plans by the DepEd for the use of these learning 
33 
platforms. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 16. Allotment of Air Time for Educational Tutorial Programs. – Pursuant 
36 
to Republic Act No. 8370, otherwise known as “Children’s Television Act of 1997”, a 
37 
portion of the daily total air time of each broadcasting network shall be allotted for 
38 
educational tutorial sessions within the regular programming of all networks granted 
39 
franchises or as a condition of renewal of broadcast licenses hereinafter, to be 
40 
included as part of the responsibility of the network in serving the public. 
41 
 
In addition to the most essential learning competencies under the K to 12 
42 
Basic Education Curriculum covering the subjects of Language, Mathematics, and 
43 
Science, the programs may include Storytelling, Wellness, Mother Tongue-Based 
44 
Multilingual Education, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, and Health for a 
45 
comprehensive learning experience for all learners. 
46 
 
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 6 
 SEC. 17. Remuneration of Teachers and Para-teachers Who Serve as Tutors. 
1 
– Teachers who serve as tutors shall be compensated subject to the existing rules 
2 
and regulations of the DepEd and the Department of Budget and Management. 
3 
Para-teachers who serve as tutors under this Act shall be compensated from 
4 
the budget of the DepEd and the Special Education Fund of the Local School Board 
5 
of the local government unit where the schools of the learners are located. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 18. Incentives for Tertiary Level Students Who Serve as Tutors. – Tertiary 
8 
level students who serve as tutors under the ARAL Program for a period of two (2) 
9 
semesters shall be deemed to have completed the Literacy Training Service under the 
10 
National Service Training Program, in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 9163, 
11 
otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001”. 
12 
Under RA No. 9163, the Literacy Training Service is a program designed to 
13 
train students to become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to school children, 
14 
out-of-school youth, and other segments of society in need of their service.  
15 
 
16 
SEC. 19. Parental Involvement. – Tutors shall develop linkages and maintain 
17 
regular communication with the parents of the learners. The parents, being a 
18 
primary resource and essential support in the education of their children, shall 
19 
enhance their parental roles by assisting their children through home learning 
20 
activities and making significant contributions in their educational development at 
21 
home.  
22 
 
23 
SEC. 20. Implementing Agencies. – The DepEd shall coordinate with the 
24 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the 
25 
implementation of the provisions of this Act and the continuous delivery of quality 
26 
online tutorial sessions. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 21. Tax Incentives. – Any donation, contribution, or grant, in cash or in 
29 
kind, made by individuals or organizations, public or private, local or foreign, shall 
30 
be exempt from the donor’s tax and the cost of which shall be considered as an 
31 
allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor in accordance with the 
32 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
33 
 
34 
SEC. 22. Mandatory Review and Impact Assessment. – The DepEd shall 
35 
conduct a mandatory review of the implementation of this Act, and submit an 
36 
assessment report to Congress on its impact and effectiveness, not later than one (1) 
37 
year from the effectivity of this Act. 
38 
 
39 
SEC. 23. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created 
40 
a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the 
41 
implementation of this Act. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) 
42 
members each from the Senate and from the House of Representatives, including the 
43 
Chairmen of the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, and Finance of both 
44 
Houses. The membership of the Committee for every chamber shall have at least one 
45 
(1) minority member. 
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 7 
SEC. 24. Appropriations. – The amount of Twenty Billion Pesos (PhP 20B) for 
1 
the implementation of this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the 
2 
current appropriations of the DepEd.  
3 
 
4 
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from 
5 
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the DICT and other relevant 
6 
government agencies and private stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and 
7 
regulations for its effective implementation. The rules and regulations issued 
8 
pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a 
9 
newspaper of general circulation. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 26. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
12 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts not affected shall 
13 
remain in full force and effect. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, executive orders, presidential 
16 
decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof 
17 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
18 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
19 
 
20 
SEC. 28. Effectivity. – Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act 
21 
shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a 
22 
newspaper of general circulation. 
23 
 
Approved,