FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 164 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
~~ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE. 
The true value of education in one's life can not be fathomed. Everyone is entitled 
by right to proper education. Unfortunately, due to economic, geographic and time 
management constraints, not everyone who acknowledges the significance of education 
will be able to avail of it. Finishing high school is an asset that everyone with the 
opportunity should take full advantage of. Just finishing high school alone opens up 
thousands more opportunities for individuals. When entering a specific field within the 
job market, it is often required that the applicant at least posses a high school diploma 
Therefore, many times without the high school diploma, a person is restricted to a smaller 
number of occupations for which they are qualified for 
High school teaches students to learn. It gives them a background in many 
different subjects and methods of learning. A high school education opens up a world of 
opportunities for people. It instills confidence and the ability to function in society. 
In order for society to advance our society must he educated. The Open High 
School System delivers educational services to high school students utilizing alternative 
means of instruction such as print, radio, television, and other multi-media learning and 
teaching technologies that allow students to study on their own without having to 
regularly attend class in the conventional classroom setup. 
This alternative learning system is consistent with the constitutional mandate to 
democratize access to quality education at all levels. 
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF TAE PHILIPPMES 
2 51) 
Firs2 Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 164 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 the “Open High School 
System Act” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to access to relevant quality education through the employment of an alternative learning 
system that would enable the youth including adults to overcome geographical, socio- 
economic and/or physical constraints to their completion of secondary education. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - For the purposes of this Act, the following 
terms are hereby defined; 
a,) Open High School System - a system of delivering educational services to 
high school students utilizing print, radio, television and computer-based 
communications, satellite broadcasting, teleconferencing, and other multi- 
media learning and teaching technologies that allow students to study on their 
own without having to regularly attend class in conventional classrooms. 
b.) Distance Learning Program - an educational program whereby the teaching 
and learning processes are accomplished through self-instructional materials 
that allow independent study, multi-channel learning and school-family- 
community partnership. 
e.) hang Paaralan or Mother High School - a regular secondary school in the 
regional or division level that fimctions, among others, as; 1) headquarters of 
the distance learners and teachers; 2) center for enrollment, evaluation, direct 
or face-to-face instruction and promotion of distance learners; 3) receiver of 
donations, instructional materials and such reports relative to distance 
learning; and 4) coordinator of the different learning centers in the 
community. 
d.) Guro - a regular secondary school teacher of the “Inang Paaralan” who is in 
charge of direct instruction, evaluation of student progress and keeping of the 
records of individual learners. 
e.) Gurong Tagapatnnbay - a regular secondary school teacher of the hang 
Paaralan who serves as guidance counselor to the distance learners; 
coordinates with the p r o  and para guro in evaluating the students’ progress; 
and prepares and submits reports to the authorities concerned. 


f.) Gurong Kadluan - a resource person with specialized skills in practical or 
industrial subjects such as farming, handicraft, and auto-mechanics, tailoring 
and other skills. 
g,) Para Guro - a degree holder or college level citizedresident in the 
community who manages a learning center and facilitates the learning process 
of a group of distance learners. 
h.) Tagapagpayong Pansamahan -the adviser of a club in the community who 
helps earners harmonize study with community service and leisure. 
SECTION 4. Institutionalization of the Open High School System. -to carry 
out the above-declared policy, the Open High School hereinafter referred to as the 
System is hereby institutionalized in the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of 
the Act. 
SECTION 5. Coverage - This Act shall apply to public secondary educational 
institutions with existing distance learning programs and all other such institutions that 
shall later be authorized as qualified implementers of the System. 
All existing programs and projects of the Bureau of Secondary Education 
regarding dropout intervention and poverty alleviation through education shall be part of 
the Open High School System. 
SECTION 6. Clientele of the System - The System shall be open to all youth 
and adults who have finished elementary education and high school qualifiers of the 
Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT). 
SECTION 7. Administration and Supervision - The Department of Education 
(DepEd) shall administer and supervise the System. An Open High School Unit shall be 
attached to the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) to assist the Bureau in performing 
the following finctions: 
Formulate the objectives and basic policies of the System; 
Formulate , adopt and supplement programs that will make the System 
effective and productive; 
Monitor and evaluate existing distance learning programs for the 
integration with the system; 
Develop and validate prototype instructional distance learning materials; 
Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government 
units &Gus), non-government organizations (NGOs) and other private 
agencies for the effective operation of the system; 
Promulgate the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of the System; 
Recommend to the DepEd the annual budget of the System for inclusion 
in the General Appropriations Act for the year; and 
Perform such other tasks as may be necessary to attain the objectives of 
the System. 
SECTION 8. Establishment of Distance Learning Centers - Distance learning 
centers shall be established in the hang Paaralan or in the community. The Center is a 
room of building where the distance learners can conduct researches or gather additional 
information on topics under study. It can also serve as a venue where the Gurong 
Kadluan can conduct hands-on exercises/activities. 
SECTION 9. Collaboration between Departmerit of Education (DepEd) and 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - The DepEd and DILG 
shall sign a Memorandum of Agreement WOA) defining the role of local government 


units in the operation of the system in order to ensure maximum collaboration between 
DepEd and local government units toward the success of the System. 
SECTION 
10. 
Role 
of 
Government 
Broadcast 
Stations 
and 
Telecommunication Networks - Government broadcast stations and telecommunication 
networks shall provide the necessary assistance and support to the System; Provided, that 
stations and networks shall also be encouraged to provide the same. 
SECTION 11. Role of Parents. - Parents of distance learners shall be provided 
with adequate information on the System as well as for sharing experiences to enable 
them to completely assist their children their children in their distance learning. 
SECTION 12. Personnel Recruitment and Incentives - all personnel involved 
in the System shall have adequate and appropriate education and training to be 
determined by the BSE-DepEd. 
Teachers or Gurong Tagapatnubay shalt receive incentives andlor monetary 
compensation as determined by the BSE-DepED while the Para Guro, Gurong Kadluan 
and Tagapayong Pansamahan shall receive honoraria, to be arranged with the local 
school board. 
It shall be the duty of the local government units concerned to employ the Pra 
Guro, Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan in accordance with the guidelines 
on hiring such personnel prepared upon prior consultation with the BSE-DepED and 
issued by the same LGUs. 
SECTION 13. Training on the System’s Teachers, - The open High School 
Unit attached to the Bureau of Secondary Education shall take charge of the training of 
the Guro, Gurong Tagapatnubay, Gurong Kadluan, Para Guro and Tagapayong 
Pansamahan. 
The training of the Para Guro, Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan 
shall be in coordination with the local government units and non-government 
organizations concerned. 
SECTION 14. Curriculum Content. - The System shall adopt the National 
Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC) using the Philippine Secondary Schools 
Learning Competencies (PSSLC). 
The Open High School System Unit in collaboration with the curriculum 
Development Division, Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) shall modify the herein 
adopted curriculum, devise a rating system, instructional strategies and material that will 
suit the psycho-social needs ad physical condition of the conduct disordered and 
antisocial learners who are detained in correctional institutions. In the discharge of this 
function, the BSE shall consult with professional psychiatrists, psychologists, social 
workers and other related experts who manage or deal with youth offenders who are 
undergoing rehabilitation. 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Education, through the Curriculum Development Division of the Bureau of Secondary 
Education, upon prior consultation with the Committees on Education of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act within a period of ninety (90) days after its approval. 
SECTION 16. 
Appropriations. - 
The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of 
the Distance Learning Program of the BSE-DepED. Thereafter, such sums as may be 


necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and 
effect. 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its 
approval. 
Approved,