Republic of the Philippi
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 3028

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS AND CREATING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL PARENT COUNCIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is expressly stated in the 1987 Constitution that the Government is mandated
to support the natural and primary right and duty of parents in rearing the youth for civic
efficiency and upright moral character. By strengthening parents associations, which
this bill is proposing to do, it is a step towards the right direction by fostering parents’
active participation in our educational system.

There is a need for a strategic collaboration between parents, teachers, school
management, the community and the students if we want them to have the best
possible education. With strengthened parents associations, the well-being of our
children, who will carry on the task of nation building, will be secured.

In recognition of parents associations’ vital role in the development of our youth,
we therefore enjoin our colleagues to ensure the expeditious passage of this bill into
law.

vosoanat GAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3028

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS AND
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL PARENT COUNCIL

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 "National Parent
Council Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - Pursuant to the Constitutional
mandate that the government shall support the natural and primary right and duty
of the parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development
of moral character, it is hereby declared the objectives of this Act:

(a) The right and duty of parents to organize themselves and form
associations for the purpose of ventilating their ideas in relation to the
proper and effective education of their children shall be encouraged

(b) Parents associations shall be strengthened and given necessary
incentives in order to serve best the welfare and give outmost benefits to
the children; and

(c) The Department of Education (DepEd) shall give due recognition,
importance and support to parent associations as its partner in providing
accessible and quality education.


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

(a) "Parents Associations” refer to the organization composed exclusively
of parents and/or guardians of school children in the primary and
secondary levels established for the purpose of ensuring the welfare of the
school children and students. Existing associations with the purpose and
membership but under different names shall be considered parent
associations under this Act

(b) "Schools" refer to both public and private sectarian or non-sectarian
educational institutions.

(c) "City" refers to both chartered and non-chartered cities.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to the network of parents
associations established on a per-school basis, organized at the municipality and
provincial levels. As such, parents associations at all levels within a municipality
or city may form a Municipal or City parents associations, and all Municipal and
City parents associations within a province may form a Provincial parents
association. The organization of these associations shall enable the parents to
perform their role effectively for the benefit and welfare of the school children.

SECTION 5. Formation and Support of Parent Associations. - School
authorities shall encourage, support and cooperate in the organization of parents
associations.

Further, barangay, municipal, city and provincial officials shall provide the
necessary assistance and support to parent associations especially in the
implementation of their school-based activities and projects.

SECTION 6. Incentives. — To encourage parents and enable them to
function productively and efficiently, they shall be accorded the following:

(a) Participation in Local Government Council Meetings and School
Advisory Boards. - There shall be a parent representative to the
Committee on Education or its equivalent in the Sangguniang Bayan,
Sangguniang Panlunsod and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as well as to
the advisory body of each school, to be elected from among the members
of municipal, city and provincial parent associations, respectively.

(b) Exemption from Taxes. — All contributions, gifts, donations, bequests
by members of the parents associations in favor of duly-approved projects
that form part of the school plans shall be exempted from taxes


(c) Accreditation Requirement. — The existence of a dynamic and effective
parents association in a school shall be required by qualified accrediting
agencies as an evaluative criterion for the accreditation of the school

SECTION 7. National Parent Council. — To establish an effective and
appropriate body for an effective and continuing coordination between the
Department of Education and the parents associations nationwide, and to
encourage a closer working relationship which will not only promote the welfare
of the school children but also to that of the community they live in, there is
hereby created a National Parent Council, hereafter referred to as Council, to be
composed of representatives elected from among the Provincial Parents
Associations.

Officers of the Council shall be elected from among the members.

There shall be an annual general assembly of the members to be
coordinated closely with the Office of the Secretary of the DepEd.

SECTION 8. Powers and Functions. - The Council shall have the
following powers and functions:

(a) To act as an advisory body to the DepEd and as such shall be
attached to the Office of the Secretary for effective liaison and
coordination;

(b) To participate in the formulation of national guidelines as it refers to
policies and procedures governing school fees, visual aids and practical
application for curricular activities;

(c) To assist, thru the municipality and provincial associations, the
appropriate DepEd regional, provincial or municipal office in monitoring,
overseeing and evaluating the implementation of school infrastructure
projects;

(d) To provide nationwide forum wherein the views of parents on relevant
issues can be deliberated upon before these are brought to appropriate
bodies for action;

(e) To be an effective link between the DepEd and all agencies that deal
with matters pertinent to schools.

(f) To create such specialized committees and appoint members not only
from within the Council but also from the municipal, city or provincial
parents associations to help address successfully specific concerns; and


(g) To request cooperation of any barangay, municipal, city, provincial or
national official on any matter deemed necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 9. National Parents Association Week. - There is hereby
declared a National Parents Association Week to be held during the first week of
February if every year in order to highlight and give recognition to the
achievements and importance of parents associations in their role in giving
accessible and quality education to the children

Appropriation activities nationwide which will include the holding of the
Annual General Assembly of the National Parent Council shall be undertaken
and drawn up by the Council.

Expenses relevant to these activities, including the organization of an
assembly, secretariat services, and attendance of members, speakers and guest
shall be charged to the budget of DepEd

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - An annual regular appropriation of Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) shall be included in the annual budget
of the Department of Education exclusively for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. The Role of the DepEd. - The DepEd shall promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry out the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive and administrative orders inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,