EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
1547
'^Si' 
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20 MAY 27 A10 :27
RECCiV:'.'
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION (TV) BROADCASTING EDUCATION 
PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC 
EDUCATION (TELEVISION ALS ACT)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, it is declared that the State shall 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and 
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.
While online classes seem to be the ideal alternative method of learning and 
education in times of a pandemic, such as the COVID-19, the public-school sector is 
challenged on different fronts to regularly keep up with its requirements. It is a fact 
that many of our public-school students are not financially capable of engaging in 
online classes. The need to continuously deliver quality education to our students 
even in times of crisis, isolation, unrest or pandemic demands a creative approach 
through alternative learning systems, such as that proposed in this bill.
Fortunately, televised schooling is a viable alternative for learning. It is 
sustainable, cheaper and accessible to all, regardless of social class. Students will be 
able to focus on their tasks, as compared to online classes with gadgets that are 
gateways to distractions in learning, such as pornography and social media. Lastly,


learning at home gives the parent more ability to monitor and supervise the progress 
of the student.
True to the slogan that "No one should be left behind ", the intended televised 
ciasses goes beyond the schooling problem caused by COVID-19, and offers a 
solution for all kinds of problematic learners already existing pre-COVID-19, to those 
who apparently cannot go to school, such as, physically challenged, dropouts, and 
older learners, to name a few. Televised classes will help all learners to the new 
norm, reach remote and far flung areas, and ensure that everyone will have the 
opportunity to academically progress and thrive. The hours for the airing of the TV 
broadcast education program can be the same as the regular daily classroom time 
and attuned to their usual routine to ensure quality education. The hours of airing 
shall be flexible in catering to learners. In a virtual briefing, DepEd Leonor Briones 
even said that the Presidential Communications Operations Office has offered the 
government-run television networks as platforms for delivering iessons during the 
pandemic.1
The dream of quality education for all at all times can now become a reality 
through this alternative learning system.
I am pleased to file this bill, which is the Senate counterpart measure of 
House Bill No. 6708 authored by Hon. Virgilio S. Lacson, the Representative of the 
Manila Teachers Party-list.
I recommend the approval of this measure.
CYNTHIA VILLAR
1 Bonz Magsambol, “PCOO Offers Gov't TV, Radio Stations to Deliver Lessons - Briones,” Rappler, accessed 
May 26,2020, https://www.rappler.com/nation/260526-pcoo-offers-govemment-tv-radio-stations-deliver- 
lessons-coronavirus)


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1547
of tljt
20 MAY 27 A10 :27
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION (TV) BROADCASTING EDUCATION 
PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC 
EDUCATION (TELEVISION ALS ACT)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Television Alternative
2 
Learning System Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
ensure the continuous delivery of "quality education for alt' through the alternative
5 
learning system of television broadcasting education, even in times of crises,
6 
isolation, insurgencies, unrest, pandemics, and other calamities.
7 
Sec. 3. Applicability. - This Act shall cover all public schools offering
8 
elementary, junior and senior high school education.
9 
This Act Shall be epplicable at all times specially during crisis such as
10 
insurgencies, unrests, pandemics, and other natural or man-made calamities that
11 
would hinder the physical presence and safety of students in schools.


1 
Sec. 4. Television (T\') Broadcasting Education Program. - The Television (TV)
2 
Broadcast Education Program is an alternative method of education where students
3 
can experience learning and attend classes through aerial broadcasting of a live, real
4 
time class session.
5 
Sec. 5. Televised Broadcast Education Program. - The free TV broadcast
6 
education program airtime shall be the same as the prescribed hours needed under
7 
the regular classroom type mode of the DepEd curriculum to assure quality
8 
education.
9 
To gain education progression credits, enrollment in person shouid be made in
10 
a schooi proximate to the students' residence.
11 
In case where being physically present in school would extremely be difficult,
12 
students enrolled in regular classroom schooling can use the TV broadcast ALS upon
13 
DepEd approval.
14 
Sec. 6. Government Institution in Partnership with Television Broadcasting
15 
Networks. - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall partner with TV network/s,
16 
national or regional, capable of covering aerial broadcasting to ail areas of the
17 
country.
18 
DepEd should adapt teaching and instructional policies that adheres and
19 
complements the peculiarity of every region in respect to its customs, cultures, arts
20 
and laws.
21 
Government agencies and the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC)
22 
are mandated to provide the necessary assistance such as, but not limited to, the
23 
acquisition of frequencies or channels and all other requirements needed for the
24 
implementation of this Act.
25 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
26 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


1 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education
2 
shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of
3 
this Act within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
4 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or portion of this Act is declared
5 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected
6 
remains in full force and effect.
7 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, decrees, executive orders, rules,
8 
regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any
9 
provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.
10 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication
11 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
12
Approved,