Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Havsesiixo, TOY

Introduced by HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ (First District, Leyte), HON.
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ (TINGOG Party List), HON. ANGELICA NATASHA A.
CO (BHW Party List), and HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE (TINGOG Party List)

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ENHANCING THE ROLE OF PARENT-TEACHER
AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE AND
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that the State shall establish, maintain, and support a
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society!
‘as well as the goals of national development. Towards this end, the government shall foster, at all times,
a spirit of shared purposes and cooperation among the members and elements of the educational
‘community, and between the community and other sectors of society, in the realization that only in such
an atmosphere can the true goals and objectives of education be fulfilled?

Accordingly, the State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations
that promote the welfare of the nation.’ It shall establish school and community networks and promote
the active participation of teachers, organizations, non-academic personnel of public schools, and
parent-teachers-community associations." After all, itis a constitutionally protected right of the people,
including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for
purposes not contrary to law.’

This bill seeks to institutionalize and enhance the role of Parent-Teacher and Community Associations
(PTCA), organized under the Presidential Decree No. 603 otherwise known as “The Child and Youth
Welfare Code”, in the rearing, education, and holistic development of the children towards civic
involvement. The PTCA, which shall be composed of parents, teachers, and a duly recognized
community group, shall create development programs for children; foster and ensure inclusivity and
fall cooperation; provide an avenue for discussing relevant concerns in schools and communities;
provide assistance to school for the promotion of common interests; and promote child protection,
among other duties and functions.

' Section 2 (1), Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

2 Section 5, Part II, Chapter I of the Batas Pambansa Blg. No. 232 or the “Education Act of 1982".

> Section 23, Article Il of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

‘ Section 7 (e), Chapter I, of the Republic Act No. 9155 or the “Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001”.
+ Section 8, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.


Child and Youth Welfare Code”, in the rearing, education, and holistic development of the children
towards civic involvement. The PTCA, which shall be composed of parents, teachers, and a duly
recognized community group, shall create development programs for children; foster and ensure
inclusivity and full cooperation; provide an avenue for discussing relevant concerns in schools and
communities; provide assistance to school for the promotion of common interests; and promote
child protection, among other duties and functions.

It is noteworthy that children grow and leam best when the parents, teachers, and community
members work together to encourage, support, and protect them. Indeed, the meaningful
involvement and support of the parents, teachers, and community are essential in maintaining an
atmosphere conducive to the proper upbringing of children, particularly with respect to their
preparation for adult life and the conscientious discharge of their civic duties as a whole.

During the 18% Congress, the proposed “Parent-Teacher and Community Association Act” was
filed as House Bill No. 6139 which was referred to the Committee on Welfare of Children. It was
approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives and duly transmitted to the Senate
for its concurrence.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought in keeping with the
best interests of the children.

Va;

FERDINAND MARTIN 6. RO! mS YEDIA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative Representative
First District, Leyte Tingog Sinirangan Party List

BHW Party List



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Hobsé BILL No. _7309

Introduced by HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ (First District, Leyte),
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ (TINGOG Party List), HON. ANGELICA
NATASHA A. CO (BHW Party List), and HON. SUDE A. ACIDRE (TINGOG Party List)

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ENHANCING THE ROLE OF PARENT-TEACHER,
AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE AND
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE"

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Parent-Teacher and
Community Association Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Polic
teachers, and the community in the rearing, education, and development of children towards

— The State recognizes the crucial role of parents,

civic involvement.

Furthermore, the State, consistent with Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), recognizes that a child’s education is directed not only to
“the development of the child’s personality, talents, and mental and physical abilities to their
fullest potential” but shall extend to “the broad range of life experiences and learning processes
which enable children, individually and collectively, and to live a full and satisfying life within
society.”

SEC. 3. — Article 77, Chapter II (The Home and the School) of Presidential Decree No.
603, otherwise known as “The Child and Youth Welfare Code”, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Article 77. Parent-Teacher AND COMMUNITY Associations —
Every [elementary and secondary] BASIC EDUCATION school shall


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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS
PTCA [for the purpose of providing a forum for the discussion of problems
and their solutions, relating to the total school program, and for insuring the
full cooperation of parents in the efficient implementation of such program].
The PTCA SHALL BE COMPOSED OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND A
DULY RECOGNIZED COMMUNITY GROUP. THEY SHALL ELECT
FROM AMONG THEMSELVES THEIR RESPECTIVE SETS OF
OFFICERS.”

“All parents who have children enrolled in a school [are encouraged to
be active members of its PTA, and to comply with whatever obligations]
SHALL BE CONSIDERED MEMBERS OF ITS PTCA AND ARE
OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH THE DUTIES and responsibilities such
membership entails.”

“{Parent-Teacher Association] PTCAs all over the country shall [aid]
ASSIST the municipal and other local authorities and schoo! officials in [the
enforcement of juvenile delinquency control measures and in implementation
of programs and activities to promote child welfare.] PROMOTING THE
WELFARE AND PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
INCLUDING SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT AND — RELATED
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.”

“PTCAs SHALL BE AFFORDED WIDE LATITUDE IN
WORKING AND COORDINATING WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS,
STUDENT COUNCILS, AND OTHER CONCERNED AUTHORITIES AS
THEY COMPLEMENT THEIR WORK IN IMPLEMENTING A
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CHILDREN.

“GIVEN THEIR CRITICAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL AND
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, PTCAs SHALL BE RECOGNIZED AS
PARTNERS OF GOVERNMENT AND, AS APPROPRIATE, THEIR
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS DESIGNATED AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF
THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS AND THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES
PROVIDED FOR IN REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF
19917.”


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“ART. 77-A. PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS OF THE PTCAs. — THE PRINCIPAL
FUNCTIONS OF THE PTCAs ARE AS FOLLOWS:

"()) CREATE A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN TO
ENSURE THAT THEY BECOME WELL-ROUNDED, STABLE,
SOCIABLE AND CIVIC-ORIENTED CITIZENS AND TO SERVE AS
THE FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS, SOLUTIONS,
ISSUES, AND CONCERNS RELATIVE TO SUCH GOAL;

"@) ENSURE THE FULL COOPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS,
AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE EFFICIENT
AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM;

"(@) CONSULT THE CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES, THROUGH THEIR
STUDENT COUNCILS, IN THE PLANNING AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND
ACTIVITIES;

"@) SERVE AS AN AVENUE FOR LOCAL SCHOOL
STAKEHOLDERS TO DESIGN OTHER APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS,
DISCUSS ISSUES, IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS, AND RECOMMEND
ACTION THAT WILL ADDRESS CHILDREN’S CONCERNS;

"(3) RAISE AWARENESS ON AND SUPPORT THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES AND
ISSUES IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AS MANDATED BY
‘THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED);

(©) ASSESS THE LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF BASIC
EDUCATION PROGRAM — THROUGH INCREASED
COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION AMONG KEY LOCAL
SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS THE PARENTS, TEACHERS,
COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND
CIVIL SOCIETY;

"() PARTNER WITH THE APPROPRIATE SCHOOL OFFICIALS
AND CONSULT STUDENT COUNCILS, IN THE DESIGN,
IMPLEMENTATION, FOLLOW-UP, AND MONITORING OF
SCHOOL PROGRAMS SUCH AS LITERACY, HYGIENE, HEALTH
AND NUTRITION, AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, THAT

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REQUIRE THE FOLLOW-THROUGH, SUPPORT, AND
PARTICIPATION OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS; AND.

"(8) STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG SCHOOL
STAKEHOLDERS BY FACILITATING INFORMATION,
DISSEMINATION AMONG PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY ON
DEPED AND LOCAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES,
INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY MODES AND
PARTICIPATION IN MONITORING, ASSESSING, AND
EVALUATING THESE SERVICES.”

“ART. 77-B. ROLE OF THE DEPED. —- THE DEPED SHALL

FORMULATE THE RULES WHICH SHALL ADVANCE THE PURPOSE

OF THIS ACT. IT SHALL LIKEWISE ENSURE COMPLIANCE OF BASIC

EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN ORGANIZING THEIR PTCAs.”

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — \f any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, and rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,