Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

13393

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable GERALD ANTHONY V. GULLAS, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bilingual Policy of the Department of Education, which was introduced in 1974
(through DECS Order No. 25, s. 1974), was designed to develop a “bilingual nation competent
in the use of English and Filipino”. This policy mandated the teaching of Filipino as a subject in
all curricular levels from the elementary to college. In addition, it required the use of Filipino as
a medium of instruction in Social Studies, Character Education, Values Education, Physical
Education, Industrial Arts and Home Economics.

As a result of this policy, the learning of the English language suffered a set back. One
reason is what linguists call language interference. Targeting the leaming of two languages
(English and Pilipino) is too much for the Filipino leamers, especially in the lower grades. And if
the child happens to be a non-Tagalog speaker, this task actually means learning two foreign
languages at the same time, an almost impossible task.

Another reason is that the use of Pilipino (actually Tagalog) as a medium of instruction in
the subjects mentioned earlier has limited the exposure of the leaner to English, and since
exposure is basic to language learning mastery of the language is not attained.

This is tragic. Because books in almost disciplines are written in English, learning these
disciplines become a tremendously difficult undertaking. Science and Mathematics, for example,
cannot be fully mastered by our students, thus we lag behind other Asian nations in these areas.
‘The TIMS results in 1998 is proof of this.

This bill aims to correct the defects of the current Bilingual Education Program of the
Department of Education. Its ultimate objective is the improvement of the leaming process in
schools to ensure quality outputs.

In view of this, the approval of this measure, which was duly approved in both
Committees of Higher Education and Basic Education in the 14" Coggres¢ is urgently sought.

A
GERALD INY V. GULLAS, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1333

Introduced by Honorable GERALD ANTHONY V. GULLAS, JR.

ANACT
TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THE USE OF ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF
INSTRUCTION IN PHIIPPINE SCHOOLS

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 “Strengthening and Enhancing
the Use of English as the Medium of Instruction Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to provide the
citizenry with the opportunities to have quality education to learn, communicate, grow and
change in the pursuit of a higher standard of life. Towards this end, the government undertakes to
align the education of the young with the requirements and realities of business life and
competitive in the global environment by strengthening, enhancing and developing the use of the
English language as the medium of instruction in all levels of education, from the preschool to
the tertiary level.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms or acronyms
shall refer to and/or mean as hereunder defined:

(a) “ Medium of Instruction (MOI)” refers to the language or dialect used in teaching.

(b) “ School Year (SY) refers to the part of the year during which schools is in session
typically from June to March.

© “ Parents, Teachers and Community Association (PTCA); refers to a group of parents
and teachers organized for the welfare of the school and its pupils.

(d)* Regional or native language” refers to the regional language or any dialect prevailing
in region or place.

(©) “Academic subjects” refers to curricular subjects in the areas of general education,
science and technology.


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SEC. 4. Medium of Instruction (MOD). - The MOI in all subjects taught shall be as
follows:

(a) English and Filipino or the regional/native language may be used as the MOI in all
subjects from preschool unit Grade III

(b) English and Filipino shall be taught as separate subjects in all levels in the elementary
and secondary.

© Inall academic subjects in the elementary grades from Grade IV to Grade VI and in all
levels in the secondary, the MOI shall be English.

(d) In the tertiary level, the current language policy as prescribed by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) shall be maintained,

(€) In addition to formal instruction, the use of English shall be encouraged as a language
of interaction in the school. Corollary to this, the organization of English clubs such as book,
oratorical, debating, writing and related associations shall be encouraged. In school publications,
the use of English shall be given priority as far as practicable.

SEC, 5. Government Examinations and Entrance Examinations. - Government
Examinations and entrance examinations to public schools and state colleges and universities at
all levels shall use English as the language of assessment: Provided, however, That it may
include questions in Filipino for which the credit for such questions shall not exceed ten percent
(10%) of the total points in the examination.

SEC. 6. Support Facilities. - All the requirements, devices and support facilities
necessary to strengthen, enhance and develop English as the MOI such as training and
orientation for teachers’ manuals, learning modules and workbooks, textbooks, audiovisual aids
and other auxiliary teaching and learning materials shall be formulated, developed and provided
by the Department of Education (DepEd).

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation with the
CHED, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other
concerned government agencies shall promulgate within sixty (60) days the implementing rules
and regulations (IRR) that shall be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a congressional
oversight committee composed of Three Members from the Senate and Three Members from the
House of Representatives. The Members from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate
President based on the proportional representation of the parties or the coalitions therein with at
least one Senator representing the Minority. The Members of the House of Representatives shall
be appointed by the Speaker, also based on the proportional representation of the parties or the
coalitions therein with at least one Member representing the Minority.


aia

‘The committee shall be headed by the respective Chairpersons of the Senate and the
House of Representatives' Committees on Education.

The Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall, in aid of legislation perform
the following:

(a) Participate in the crafting of the IRR;
(b) Approve the final draft of the IRR;

© Set the guidelines and the overall framework to monitor and ensure the proper
implementation of this Act;

(d) Ensure transparency and require the submission of reports from government agencies
concemed on the conduct of programs, projects and policies relating to the implementation of
this Act;

(©) Determine inherent weaknesses in the law and recommend the necessary remedial
legislations or executive measures; and

(f) Perform such other duties and functions and responsibilities as may be necessary to
effectively attain the objectives of this Act.

The Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall be assisted by the
secretariat, of the committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate and shall be
assisted by personnel who may be seconded therefrom. It may likewise retain the services of
Consultants.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,

the same shall not effect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All executive orders. Laws and department orders and parts
thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,