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Republic of the Philippines ‘S RECEIVED 2
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 8
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House Bill No._7306

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA.
2nd District, locos Norte

AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT-OWNED
BROADCASTING STATIONS TO SERVE AS LEARNING DELIVERY
MODALITY, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Distance learning, also known as correspondence learning, is not
something new in the Philippines or the world. Distance learning refers to a
learning delivery modality where learning takes place between the teacher and
the learners who are geographically remote from each other during
instruction.' This method of learning targeted non-traditional learners such
as full-time employees or those who could not physically attend a classroom
lecture.*

Due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, distance learning has become
a mode of learning delivery not only for non-traditional learners but also for
traditional learners. In ensuring continuous learning among our students,
adapting to these changes brought about by the pandemic is necessary.

The current state of the country’s digital infrastructure has become a
challenge to distance learning, but this learning modality has different types.
One of which is broadcast-based learning. Broadcast-based learning is a type
of distance learning which uses broadcast media—television and radio—as
learning delivery modalities. Television or radio-based instructions are usually
utilized by students who do not have access to computers and/or are in
remote areas with no internet connectivity.

Distance learning, particularly broadcast-based learning, as a mode of
learning, should therefore not be limited during the pandemic. It must
continuously be made available as an alternative. After all, the use of radio
and television broadcast as distance learning solutions is a powerful way to

* Quifiones, IMT. 3 July 2020. DepEd clarifies blended, distance learning modalities for SY 2020-2021. Philippine
Information Agency. Retrieved August 5, 2020 from https://pia.gov-ph/news/artcles/1046619

2 Moneymax. 9 June 2020, What is Distance Learning and How Does it Work? Retrieved on July 30, 2020 from
bttpss/Auww.moneymax.ph/ifestye/artcles/sistance-learning- philippines


bridge the digital divide in the education sector and reach the most
marginalized learners.3

Thus, this measure proposes to institutionalize broadcast-based learning
for primary and secondary education in the Philippines in order to provide
free, public, and accessible learning delivery modality for all learners. This
mandates all government-owned broadcasting stations to provide free airtime
for all broadcast-based learning programs developed by the Department of
Education.

To ensure program sustainability, the bill also seeks collaboration between
and among all concerned government agencies, government-owned
broadcasting stations, and primary and secondary educational institutions.

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

ANGI ‘COS BARBA

> Learning through radio and television in the time of COVID-19. Retrieved on August 5, 2020 from
bnttps://en.unesco.org/news/learning-through-radio-and-television-time-covid-19


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7306

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA.
2% District, locos Norte

AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT-OWNED
BROADCASTING STATIONS TO SERVE AS LEARNING DELIVERY
MODALITY, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Broadcast-based
Learning Act”.

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is a declared policy of the State
to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels,
and to take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

To this end, the State shall ensure learning continuity and close equity
gaps in the access to primary and secondary education by providing free and
public broadcast-based open distance learning.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following
terms are defined as follows:

a. Broadcast-based Learning refers to an open distance learning which
uses broadcast media, such as television and radio, as delivery
modality, whether solely or in combination with other learning
delivery modalities;

b. Distance Education or Learning refers to a mode of learning in which
students and teachers are physically separated from each other. It is
student-centered, guided independent study, making use of
well-studied teaching and learning pedagogies to deliver well-designed
learning materials in various media. It is also sometimes described as
flexible learning and distributed learning;

c. Open Distance Learning refers to the merger of two (2) concepts, that
of open learning and distance education or learning. It is a system
which combines the methodology of distance education with the
concepts of open learning and flexible learning;


d. Open Learning refers to a philosophy of learning that is based on
flexibility and access for equity in education, an educational system
accessible to every individual with minimal restrictions and
emphasizing the flexibility of the system to eradicate problems caused
by barriers like age, geographical location, time constraints and
economic situation;

e. Radio Station refers to a broadcast type radio network intended to
reach a wide audience and can be linked to radio networks to
broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or
simulcast or both; and

f. Television Network refers to a telecommunications network for
distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation
provides programming to many television stations or pay television
providers. It shall be referred to in this Act as “TV Network”.

SECTION 4. Institutionalization of Broadcast-Based Learning. —
Broadcast-based Learning is hereby institutionalized for primary and
secondary education in the Philippines in order to provide free, public, and
accessible learning delivery modality for all learners; Provided, that primary
and secondary educational institutions are authorized to decide on the specific
learning delivery modalities deemed appropriate in their context and
consistent with existing guidelines and regulations.

SECTION 5. Program and Curriculum Development. ~ The Department
of Education (DepEd) shall, in consultation with the Presidential
Communications Operations Office (“PCOO”), Movie and Televisions Review
and Classification Board (MTRCB):

a, Develop a Broadcast-based Learning Program, hereinafter
referred to as “Program”;

z

. Develop a curriculum based on the Program that shall ensure
that learning outcomes are clearly articulated in terms of
competencies, skills, and behavioral attributes and conform to
existing policies, standards, and guidelines;

. Hire the services of a producer to assist in the creation and
production of the educational and instruction materials;

d. Designate at least one (1) master teacher per grade level to
deliver the educational and instruction materials in accordance
with the Program; and

e. Record, keep, compile or store all educational and instructional
productions on the Program in media storage devices, which
shall be made available for public distribution.


SECTION 6. Allocation of Free Air Time. — In coordination with the
DepEd, PCOO, MTRCB, and other concerned agencies, all government-owned
broadcasting stations are mandated to provide free airtime for all
Broadcast-based Learning Programs, as follows:

a. Two (2) hours a day for six (6) days every week, from Monday to
Saturday; and

b. One (1) hour per week for each grade level, from kindergarten to grade
12,

SECTION 7. Tax Incentive. - Expenses incurred by government-owned
broadcasting stations in open distance learning educational and instruction
materials shall be allowed an additional deduction from the gross income
equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of such expenses.

SECTION 8. Report of Violations. — Any natural or juridical person
may report any violation of this Act to the PCOO.

SECTION 9. Penalty. — Any person violating any provision of this Act
shall be fined for an amount ranging from’ Fifty Thousand Pesos
(PhP50,000.00) up to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP500,000.00). In
case of individuals in the civil service, the administrative penalty or penalties
shall be in addition to the fine imposed.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. The amount necessary to initially
implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the
appropriations of the current year of the concerned departments and agencies.
Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary, for its continued implementation
shall be included in the appropriation of the concerned departments and
agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST in
coordination with Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service
Commission, and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 12. Monitoring Agency and Reports. - The DepEd shall
supervise and monitor the implementation of this Act, and shall report
annually to the President and Congress the programs it carried out in
accordance with the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Act
that may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of
nullifying the other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining
portion or provision can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SECTION 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of
general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,