Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 6125

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to suspend the implementation of provisions on the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual

Education (MTB-MLE)
particularly Section 4,
to Grade

It cannot be g
the measure. However
able to achieve our di
internationally compet
preparations that were

in provided in the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10533),
on the use of mother tongue, first language as medium of instruction to Kindergarten

insaid that we are in full support of the intentions and rationale behind the crafting of
, we can no longer tum a blind eye and deny that our schools are ill-equipped to be
sired objectives. It appears that amidst the height of passion to be able to deliver
ive education to our people, we have utterly failed to take into account the proper
necessary in order to fruitfully implement the provisions of the law. What is worrisome

is the fact that those who are suffering are precisely the youth that we sought to nurture with this Act.

We must act u
provides that the Stat
and shall take appro}
Constitution). This m
and promote the right

To this end, thi
that it shall remain su:
preparedness of their
mandate of providing

In view of the fc

ently in order to address the patent lack of materials of our schools. The Constitution
shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels
jate steps to make such education accessible to alll (Section 1, Article XIV, 1987
sure will ensure that true to the mandate provided in the Constitution, we will protect
of our citizens to quality education and ensure that it is truly accessible to all.

bill suspends the implementation of Sec. 4 of Republic Act 10533. It provides further
pended until and unless the Department of Education can satisfactorily certify the
gency to the Congress. It is in this manner that we will be able to bring forward our
qual access to quality education.

regoing, the approval of the proposed measure is earnestly requested.

Bek

ROMAN T. ROMULO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6125

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

AN ACT SUSPENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE USE OF MOTHER
TONGUE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR
KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 3.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section. 1, Suspension of the Implementation of mother tongue or first language as
‘medium of nsrctos from Kindergarten to grade 3. Section 4 of Republic Act 10533 (R.A.
10533), otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” states as follows:

“SEC. 4. 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 six (6) years of secondary education, in that sequence. Secondary
education includes four (4) years of junior high school and two (2) years of senior high
school education.

Kindergarten education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for children at
least five (5) years old as a prerequisite for Grade |

Elementary education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education which is
composed of six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically six (6) years old.

Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education. It consists
of four (4) years of junior high school education and two (2) years of senior high school
education. The entrant age to the junior and senior high school levels are typically twelve
(12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively.

Basic edugation 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 Filipino and English shall be



gradually
languages

For pul
languages
language
sign lan;
language
existing in

However

effectively impl

introduced as languages of instruction until such time when these two (2)
can become the primary languages of instruction at the secondary level.

es of this Act, mother language or first Language (LI) refers to language or
frst learned by a child, which he/she identifies with, is identified as a native
‘er of by others, which he/she knows best, or uses most. This includes Filipino
ge used by individuals with pertinent disabilities. The regional or native
fers to the traditional speech variety or variety of Filipino sign language
a region, area or place.”

since the enactment of R.A. 10533 almost seven (7) years ago, the Department of

ent the use of the mother tongue or first Language (LI) in the instructions and

Education ea has not come up with sufficient books, teaching materials, and supplies, to

assessment of I

Consider
tongue or first
the use of mothe
to certify to C
implement the

Section
Komisyon ng

necessary in th
days from its

Section
KWF shall pro’
districts to use

materials to be

mers in Kindergarten to Grade 3

ing the current inability of DepEd to effectively implement the use of the mother
\guage (LI) in all the regions as provided by R.A. 10533, the implementation of
tongue or first Language is hereby suspended, until such time as DepEd is able
ress that it has completed its books, teaching materials, and supplies to effectively
e of mother tongue or first Language to learners in Kinder to Grade 3,

. Development of Teaching Materials. The DepEd shall coordinate with the

kang Filipino (KWF) in developing books, teaching materials, and other supplies

implementation of the use of mother tongue or first Language within sixty (60)
ivity.

. Assessment and Certification of First Language Instruction. ~The DepEd and

ide for the assessment of the appropriateness and capacity of all local school

the mother tongue or first language as a mode of instruction to learners in

in Kindergarten to Grade 3, they shall provide Congress the results of their

Kindergarten to bat 3. Upon complete assessment of said agencies of the completeness of the

assessment and

Section
Congress has ay
Congress of the

‘ecommendation for the approval of the Congress.

|. Automatic Repeal of this Act. ~ This Act shall be deemed repealed once the
proved the assessment, as provided in Section 3 and DepEd has certified to
readiness of all the school districts to implement the use of mother tongue or first

language as medium of instruction in Kindergarten to Grade 3

Section
be charged aj
equivalent to at
be necessary for
Appropriations

Section
‘unconstitutional,

Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
inst the current year’s appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter, the amount

one percent (1%) of the total annual appropriations of the DepEd, which may
the continuous implementation of this Act, shall be included in the annual General
ct

5. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.



Section 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official ‘or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.