Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3153

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4! DISTRICT, BULACAN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A BLENDED LEARNING IN THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In imparting education to all public elementary and secondary schools as well as
Community Learning Centers (CLCs) nationwide, the health, safety and well-being of teachers
and learners are important. The environment should also be conducive in the teaching and
learning process. Unforeseen circumstances, such as disasters, emergencies and other crises
may disrupt the academic activities of the school, thereby affecting its school calendar.
Accordingly, the school must ensure a minimal disruption in the educational process.

Presently, however, the physical and digital infrastructure to shift to e-learning remains
much to be desired, The need to access to devices and cost of connectivity are basic challenges
that the educational institutions are being confronted with. This may still be true at the barangay
level. These are essentially the major stumbling blocks in our quest for the continued conduct
of education during abnormal conditions.

This bill seeks to adopt a blended leaming process to address these concerns to
effectively prosecute a continuous and uninterrupted conduct of education,

Support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly requested.

Sh hae

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA

AS



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3153

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA,
4!" DISTRICT, BULACAN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A BLENDED LEARNING IN THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM, 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. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Blended Learning Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. ~The State shall ensure the effective and efficient
implementation of the education curriculum to facilitate the delivery of quality education.
‘Towards this end, blended learning shall be adopted in the event of unforeseen circumstances,
such as disasters, emergencies and other crises that may disrupt the school calendar.

EC. 3. Coverage. ~ This Act covers all public elementary and secondary schools,
including Community Learning Centers (CLCs) nationwide.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a.) Blended Learning refers to the thoughtful integration of classroom face-to-face or in-
person learning experiences with online leaming experiences.

(b.)Community Learning Center (CLC) refers to physical space that houses learning
resources and facilities for a learning program for adults and out-of-school children in
special cases. It is a venue for face-to-face learning activities and other learning
opportunities for community development and improvement of people’s quality of life.

(c.) Online Distance Learning (ODL) refers to a modality that allows the teacher to facilitate
learning synchronously or asynchronously, and to engage learners’ active participation
using various technologies accessed to the intemet while teachers and learners are
geographically remote from each other.

(4.) Modular Distance Learning (MDL) refers to self-directed learning where learners are
provided with self-learning modules (SLMs) and other learning resources to aid them
in the completion of learning tasks within given timeframes.

SEC. 5. Declaration of existence of Disasters, Other Crises. - The Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) in coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and other government
agencies shall declare the suspension or cancellation of in-person classes due to disasters,
emergencies and other crises before blended learning is implemented under this Act.


SEC. 6. Digital Infrastructure. - To effectively shift to e-learning, Online Distance
Learning (ODL) and Modular Distance Learning (MDL) shall be established.

This transition shall be complemented with access to devices, learning tools, gadgets
and lowered cost of connectivity.

SEC. 7. Internet at the Barangay Level. ~ Internet connectivity at the barangay level
should be strengthened to ensure effective implementation of blended learning.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The Department of Education (DepEd),
DILG, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are mandated
to formulate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Support from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Private
Sector. — Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private volunteer organizations
(PVOs) and private corporations are hereby encouraged to assist or support the government
in the implementation of programs and projects for blended learning. Pursuant thereto, the
DepEd may accept such assistance from NGOs and the private sector.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. ~The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the departments and
agencies concerned. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. ~ If any provisions or part of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof, inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,