Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

First Regular Session
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Awe
HOUSE BILL No. 2U74

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IMELDA CALIXTO-RUBIANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The UNICEF adopts and considers “Education as a fundamental human right’. It
further states that: “Every child is entitled to it. It is critical to our development as
individuals and as societies, and it helps pave the way to a successful and productive
future. When we ensure that children have access to a rights-based, quality education
that is rooted in gender equality, we create a ripple effect of opportunity that impacts
generations to come.”

There are indeed many problems besetting the education sector in the
Philippines. Among the problems plaguing it are inappropriate and inadequate supply of
quality reading materials, and school supplies for students in the public elementary and
high school. This weakens and undermines the true essence of free public quality
education. The other pressing problems do need to be enumerated herein. All we need
is to support the constitutionally enshrined right to quality education.

Our 1987 Constitution and in line with the policy of the State to give priority to
“educi science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development’, the importance of the free public quality education cannot be questioned.

It is in this light that this measure seeks to grant appropriate and adequate school
supplies and reading materials / books subsidy to students in the public elementary and
high schools

Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought for.

“sh oe
IMELDA CALIXTO-RUBIANO

Representative
Lone District of Pasay City


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H. B. No. 40

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE IMELDA CALIXTO:

RUBIANO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE SCHOOL,
SUPPLIES AND READING MATERIALS / BOOKS SUBSIDY TO STUDENTS.
ENROLLED IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Title. -
Béoks Subsidy Act of 2011”.

Act shall be known as the “School Supplies and

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policies. ~The State “recognizes the vital role of the youth
in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and

social well-being”.

It is also a declared State policy under Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution that “the
State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall

take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Further, under Section 2, thereof, “The State shall: (1) Establish, maintain, and support a

complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and

society; (2) Establish and maintain, a system of free public education in the elementary and high

school levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary


education is compulsory for all children of school age; (3) Establish and maintain a system of
scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be
available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the under-

privileged.”

SEC. 3. School Supplies and Reading Materials / Book Subsidies. — ‘here shall be an
allocation of adequate and appropriate schoo! supplies and reading materials / book subsidies for

every student duly enrolled in any public elementary and high school.

The said school supplies and book allowance shall be subject to the rules and regulations,
including the conditions and limitations to be formulated by the implementing agency, the
Department of Education (DepEd). However, said subsidies shall be dependent on the prevailing
market prices and rates of the required school supplies and books of the student’s grade or: high

school level.

°C. 4, Availment of benefit by qualified or eligible students. ~ All students duly
enrolled in any public elementary and high school shall be qualified and eligible to avail of the

benefit of school supplies and reading materials / book allowance.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Department of
Education (DepEd) in coordination with other government agencies concerned shall issue the

necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act shall be taken out of the funds appropriated for the Office of the President and/or the
Department of Education (DepEd). Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the
continued operations and availment of qualified students of the said benefit and allowance shall

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly


SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,