Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

H.B.No,__630

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to institutionalize the Bureau of Alternative Learning System, as an
adjunct bureau of the Department of Education. Consistent with the austerity measures being
implemented by the national government and pursuant to the rationalization program of the
same, the bill does not propose to create or establish any additional office as the
institutionalization of the above-said buerau merely formalizes the renaming and redefinition of
the functions of the existing Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE).

Altemative Learning System (ALS) is neither a new concept nor a phenomenon since it
is the primary goal of the Education for All Program. The ALS institutionalization is consistent
with the declared policy of Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic
Education Act of 2001 where the State is mandated, among others, to “promote, the right of all
citizens to quality basic education and to make such education accessible to all by providing all
Filipino children a free compulsory education in the elementary level and free education in the
high schoo! level" with central emphasis of including "altemative leaming education system for
out-of-school youth and adult learners.”

The proposed measures is expected to boost the broad spectrum of education concerns,
especially that of making education accessible to all, Apparently, non-formal education (NFE)
Program under the present system has been regarded of lower priority than formal education.
Concretely, the entire education system does not provide for better venues for the develipment
of non-formal education as teacher items, funds for the construction of schoo! buildings and the
Use of schoo! board funds in relation to the NFE program are given less importance. The advent
of ALS offers a new dimension and a pardigm shift for the NFE that will ultimately address and
satisfy the legal requirement of Republic Act 9155.

For this, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

JUAN EDGAI “SONNY” M. ANGARA

Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

H.B.No,__630

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BUREAU OF ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM (BALs)

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Alternative Learning System Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is policy of the State to encourage non-formal, informal and
indigenous learning system, as well as self-leaming, independent, and out-of- school study
programs particularly those that respond to community needs. The State shall also provide adult
citizens, the disabled and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and
other skills.

SEC. 3. Definition. - For the purpose of this Act, the terms and phrases shall mean as follows:

2) Alternative Learning System (ALS) shall refer to a parallel learning system to provide a viable
alternative to the existing formal education. It encompasses both the non-formal and informal
sources of knowledge and skills.

b) Distance Education shall refer to any formal or non-formal education process wherein the
teaching method is outside the traditional means of education service delivery but instead
makes Use of other methods of communication such as via mail, video, radio correspondence or
other such means of communication.

¢) Bureau shall refer to the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALs)

SEC.4, Renaming of the Bureau. - The present Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE) under
the Department of Education shall now hereby be renamed as the Bureau of Alternative
Learning System (BALs).

SEC. 5. Functions of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System. - The Bureau shall
perform the following functions:

a) Formulate the objectives and basic policies of the altemative learning system;

b) Formulate, adopt and supplement schemes and systems that will be most effective and

productive for ALS;

©)Formulate guidelines, policies, criteria for accreditation and evaluation of establishments

offering ALS;

«)Formulate policies, guidelines, systems that will effectively administer admission of students,

delivery of instruction, and graduation;

®) Formulate policies, guidelines and systems that will efficiently transfer of students from ALS

to formal education and vice-versa;

Administer and supervise the education programs of institutions and schools offering ALS;

9) Develop curricula for ALS;

h) Coordinate and monitor the objectives, functions and activities of ALS; and

d Administer, supervise, monitor and coordinate all programs and activities under Distance
ducation

SEC. 6. Institutionalization of Distance Education - The administration of all Distance
Education programs and projects is hereby transferred to the Bureau of Alternative Leaming
yystem.


SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education, upon prior
consultation with the appropriate government agencies, non-governmental organizations and
concerned civil society, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act within a period of ninety (80) days after its approval.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,