THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
.- 
918 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ’ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Education is the prime motive force for the development of a nation. This is 
recognized by the constitution by making education the foremost concern of the State. 
Providing access for academic and technical development must be the responsibility 
of the government. 
In line with this duly recognized duty, this bill is being proposed. The bill is 
recognizing and providing the mechanism for the establishment and propagating the 
open and distance learning educational modes in the Philippines. Though certain 
higher educational institutions have been using this mode for pedagogical purposes, 
this bill entrusts to the University of the Philippines Open University to be the vanguard 
for the development of these learning systems. The University shall assist and provide 
for necessary expertise for schools wishing to create open and distance learning 
programs. 
This learning mode will provide access to those who wish to enhance their 
academic and technical training without being bound by the logistical difficulties 
present in our educational landscape. By opening this portal of learning, the future is 
assured of its development and growth. 
These being the premises, passage of this bill is most earnestly sought. 
A 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLICOF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S.B. No. 910 
- 1  , 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION 
SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 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 “Open and Distance 
Learning System of Education Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declarafion of Poky. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State 
to expand and further democratize educational opportunities for our people in a more 
effective and economical manner through utilization of innovative educational 
technologies. In view thereof, the State recognizes the open and distance learning 
system as a necessary mode to achieve equitable access to quality tertiary education 
even as it guarantees the academic freedom of higher education institutions. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act the following 
terms shall mean: 
(a) Open Learning System - an institutionalized system of delivery of 
educational services that allows for wider access to educational 
opportunities by overcoming barriers resulting from geographical isolation, 
and personal or work commitments. 
(b) Distance Education - a method of learning and teaching employing print, 
radio, television, computer-based communications, satellite broadcasting, 


teleconferencing or other educational technologies, that allows students to 
study on their own without having to regularly attend classes in conventional 
classrooms. 
SECTION 4. Institutionalization of the Open and Distance Learning 
System. - The open and distance learning system, hereinafter referred to as the 
system, is hereby institutionalized in the Philippines in accordance with the provisions 
of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Coverage. - The Act shall apply to public and private higher 
education institutions with existing open and distance learning programs, and to other 
institutions that shall later be authorized as qualified implements of the System. 
SECTlON6. Role of the Commission on Higher Educafion. - The 
Commission on Higher Education, hereinafter referred to as the CHED, shall plan, set 
standards, coordinate, monitor and authorize the effective implementation of open 
learning and distance education in the country in accordance with the provisions of this 
Act. It shall: 
(a) 
Formulate, promulgate and implement the necessary rules and 
regulations to maintain the same quality 
of education and uniform 
standards of performance for both distance and residential students of 
participating higher education institutions; 
Monitor, evaluate and effect the continuation or closure of programs in 
accordance with the provisions of the implementing rules and regulations; 
Review and approve proposals from educational institutions for new open 
and distance education programs; and 
Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management supplemental 
budget for open learning and distance education programs of participating 
higher education institutions; 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
SECTION 7. Criteria for Commission on Higher Education’s Approval of 
New Open and Distance Educafion Programs. - Higher education institutions 
applying for CHED’s approval to establish open and distance learning programs shall 
be evaluated based on the following criteria, among others, to be defined by the 
CHED: 
Qualified faculty with experience and/or training in open and distance 
education; 
(a) 
(b) 
Relevant curricular programs; 


(c) 
Appropriate instructional materials; 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
Appropriate student support services and delivery systems; 
Linkages with other appropriate institutions as resource centers; and 
Recognized research program on open and distance learning. 
SECTION 8. Role of the University of the Philippines Open University. - 
The University of the Philippines Open University, hereinafter referred to as the 
UPOU, shall be designed as the national open university. It shall set up the model 
programs, undertake relevant research and development projects, assist other 
interested higher education institutions in developing open learning and distance 
education programs, and provide technical assistance to the CHED in open and 
distance education matters. 
The University of the Philippines Open University shall support start up 
programs for duly recognized higher education institutions and shall provide necessary 
support for the educational institution's pursuit of an educational system catering to 
and specific to the needs of the institution. 
SECTION 9. Role 
of 
Government 
Broadcast 
Stations 
and 
Telecommunications 
Network. - Government 
broadcast 
stations 
and 
telecommunications networks shall provide the necessary assistance and coordination 
in support of the System. 
SECTION IO. Appropriations. - For the initial implementation of this Act, the 
amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P 50,000,000.00) from the President's organizational 
fund shall be divided equally between the CHED AND UPOU. Thereafter, the amount 
necessary for the continuous implementation of this program by the CHED AND 
UPOU shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
to be unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days 
from its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,