13TH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
,.. 
S. No. 
567 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A local public school often serves as a center for the delivery of education and human 
resources for all members of a certain community. In line with this, there is a need for the public 
schools, primarily in rural and urban city commodities, to collaborate with other public and non- 
profit agencies and organizations, local business, educational entities, recreational, cultural and 
other community and human service entities, for the purpose of meeting the needs of, and 
expanding the opportunities available to, the residents of the communities served by such 
schools. 
By using school facilities, equipment, and resources, communities can promote a more 
efficient use of public education facilities, especially in rural and inner city areas where limited 
financial resources have enhanced the necessity for local public schools to become social service 
centers. 
A high technology, global economy of the 21st century will require lifelong learning to 
keep our workforce competitive and successfd, and local public schools should provide centers 
for lifelong learning and educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. 
This bill seeks the establishment of 21st Century Learning Centers to enable the entire 
community to develop an education strategy that addresses the educational needs of all members 
of local communities. 


f 
13TH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. V L L m  JR. 
AN ACT TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATION STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THE 
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF ALL MEMBERS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as “21St Century Community Learning 
Centers Act” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to 
develop an education strategy that addresses the educational needs of all members of local 
communities. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1)“Community learning Center” means an entity within a public elementary or 
secondary school building that- 
(a) Provides educational, recreational, health and social service programs for 
residents of all ages within a local community; and 
(b) Is operated by a local educational agency in conjunction with local 
governmental agencies, business, vocational education programs, institutions 
of higher education, community colleges, and cultural recreational, and other 
community and human service entities. 
Section 4. Program Authorization. 
(a) Grant by the Secretary of Education. The secretary is authorized, in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act, to award grants to rural and inner city public elementary or secondary 


schools, or expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social service, cultural and 
recreational needs of rural or inner city community 
(b) Equitable Distribution. In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall assure 
an equitable distribution of assistance among the local government units and among urban rural 
areas. 
(c) Grant period The Secretary shall award grants for a period not to exceed three (3) 
years. 
Section 5. Application Required. To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act an 
elementary or secondary school or consortia shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably 
prescribe. Each application shall include - 
(1) A comprehensive local plan that enables the school or consortium to serve as a center 
for the delivery of education and human resources for members of a community. 
(2) An evaluation of the needs, available resources and goals and objectives for the 
proposed project I order to determine which activities will be undertaken to address such needs, 
and 
(3) A description of a proposed project, including 
(a) A description of the mechanism that will be used to disseminate information in a 
manner that is understandable and accessible to the community; 
(b) Identification of national and local programs to be merged or coordinated so that 
public resources may be maximized; 
(c) A description of the collaborative efforts to be undertaken by community-based 
organizations, related public agencies, business, or other appropriate 
organizations. 
(d) A description of how.schoo1 or consortium will serve as a delivery center for 
existing and new services, especially for interactive telecommunications used for 
education and professional training, and 


(e) An assurance of how school or consortium will establish a facility utilization 
policy that specifically states the rules and regulations applicable to building and 
equipment use and supervision guidelines. 
Section 6. Priority. - The Secretary shall give priority to applicants describing projects 
that offer a broad selection of services to address the needs of the community. 
Section 7. Uses of Funds Grants awarded under this Act may be used to plan implement 
or expand community learning centers which include not less than four (4) of the following 
activities: 
(1) Literacy education programs; 
(2) Senior citizen programs and services for individuals with disabilities; 
(3) Children’s day care services 
(4) Integrated education, health, social services, recreational or cultural programs. 
(5) Summer and weekend school programs and conjunction with recreational programs; 
(6) Nutrition and Health Programs; 
(7) Expanded library service hours to serve community needs; 
(8) Telecommunications and technology education programs for individual of all ages; 
(9) Parenting skills education programs; 
(10) Support and training for child day care providers 
(1 1) Employment counseling, training and placement; and 
(12) Services for out of school youth 
Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act hereby authorized to be appropriated for every fiscal year. 
Section 9. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation not contrary to,’ or inconsistent with, 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
Section 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 


Approved,