Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

208
House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2013, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
spearheaded the first international Conference on Leaming Cities. The concept of a learning
city was developed and defined as “a city which effectively mobilizes its resources in every
sector to a) promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education; b) revitalize learning in
families and communities; c) facilitate learning for and in the workplace; d) extend the use of
modem leaming technologies; e) enhance quality and excellence in learning; and f) foster a
culture of learning throughout life.”"

The participants of the conference adopted the belief that lifelong learning is the key to
a sustainable and developed society. Awareness was raised that because social, economic and
political landscapes are constantly changing, learning must be continuous, lifelong, and life-
wide. The citizens must be regularly equipped with varying and shifting capacities necessary
for living and working including literacy and basic skills; professional development and
vocational skills; community engagement and active citizenship.

This bill seeks to introduce lifelong learning by providing guidelines for the mandatory
establishment of leamiing cities nationwide and providing benefits for the successfully compliant
cities.

‘Support for this bill is thereby eamestly requested from my colleagues.

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REP. JOSE ENRIQUE S. GARCIA II
2" District, Bataan

1 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Key Features of
Leaming Cities (Beijing: United Nations, 2013), available from
www.unesdoc.unesco.orglimages/0022/002267/226720e.pdf


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__28

Introduced by Representative Jose Enrique S. Garcia Ill

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LEARNING CITIES,
MANDATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE KEY FEATURES THEREOF AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 Lifelong Learning Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to create
an environment free of poverty, hunger, violence and war; and to ensure equity, inclusion, and
a healthy environment for everyone. Towards this end, the State shall promote lifelong learning
as a tool for a more sustainable and secure nation by prescribing basic standards concerning
the duties of the State and local government units for the promotion of lifelong education.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms used in this Act are hereby
defined as follows:

a) Learning City - a city which effectively mobilizes its resources to a) promote inclusive
leaming from basic to higher education; b) revitalize learning in families and
communities; c) facilitate learning for and in the workplace; d) extend the use of modern
learning technologies; e) enhance quality and excellence in leaming; and f) foster a
culture of learning throughout life;

b)

Lifelong Education - all types of systematic educational activities other than regular
school curriculum, including supplementary education, basic literacy education for
adults, ability enhancement education, culture and art education, and citizen's
participation education;


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c) Lifelong Educational Institutions - shall mean any establishment, corporation,
organization, or private teaching institutes established mainly for lifelong education or
providing lifelong vocational training other than those offering supplementary education
for school curriculums.

d) Literacy Education - shall mean a systematic educational program designed to teach
adults who are unable to and read and write or lack the necessary skills needed for basic
literacy.

SECTION 4. Lifelong Education and Leaming Cities Master Plan. - The Department of
Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and
skills Development Authority are hereby mandated to jointly create a master plan for the
establishment of Leaming Cities and promotion of lifelong education.

The master plan shall be for a period of five years each and shall include the following:

a) Medium and long-term policy objectives and basic direction for lifelong education
promotion and the establishment of learning cities;

b) Implementation of lifelong education activities and guidelines for the founding of
lifelong educational institutions;

c) Investment plans and budgetary requirements for the promotion and expansion of
lifelong educational institutions and learning cities;

d) Guidelines for the evaluation of lifelong education programs and leaming cities.

The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG) and various Local Government Units (LGUs) in the mandatory
implementation and execution of the master plan.

SECTION 5. Learning Cities. - The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with the
DILG, may designate a locality as a Learning City pursuant to the criteria to be prescribed in the
implementing rules and regulations. A designated Leaming City shall enjoy additional support
and funding for the following:

a) Establishment and operation of lifelong educational institutions;
b) Cultivation and posting of certified lifelong education teachers;

c) Development of lifelong education programs; and


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d) Other projects to be conducted for the promotion of citizens’
participation in lifelong education.

SECTION 6. Functions of Learning Cities. - Heads of LGUs designated as Leaming
Cities, in coordination with DepEd, CHED and TESDA, shall be required to guide and support
activities for the promotion of lifelong education whether initiated by the LGU or private lifelong
educational institutions. if requested by such institutions, the LGU in coordination with DepEd,
CHED and TESDA and shall conduct trainings necessary to upgrade the capabilities of persons
and institutions engaged in lifelong education activities.

The LGUs designated as Learning Cities are likewise mandated to comply with the

following:

a) Provide opportunities, counseling and information on lifelong education;
b) Support the operation of lifelong educational programs;

) Establish and operate a lifelong study shall to operate lifelong educational programs;
and;

d) Provide lifelong educational opportunities for residents within its jurisdiction.

SECTION 7. Lifelong Educational Institutions. - Lifelong Educational Institutional may be
attached to existing elementary, middle school, senior highschool, college, university or
technical vocational institutions.

The heads of the schools or institutions may develop and adopt their own curriculum and
methods of teaching based on the specific needs of each community and prevalent regional
culture. The curriculum shall be designed and offered to all residents within its community
regardless of age, sex, marital status, religion, political beliefs or educational attainment.

The classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums and other facilities of the various schools and
institutions shall be made available for sue in the promotion and conduct of lifelong education
activities. other public facilities may also be used free of charge for lifelong education activities.

SECTION 8. Support and Subsidy for Lifelong Educational institutions. - The head of
the institutions offering Lifelong Education shall submit an annual report to the appropriate
governing agency detailing the programs offered, number of attendees, and other relevant data
necessary to assess the success of the program.


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The governing agency, whether the DepEd, CHED, or TESDA shall include in its annual
budget, the necessary amount to subsidize the continued operation of Lifelong Educational
Institutions and other related activities.

SECTION 9. Lifelong Education in Private Enterprises as Allowable Tax Deduction. -
Private corporations, institutions, workplaces and other similar establishments are encouraged
to provide lifelong education to their employees or conduct activities to promote lifelong learning.

Study leaves, whether paid or not, shall be extended to employees who wish to expand
their lifelong education. The subsidy provided to employees for lifelong study expenses shall be
allowed as deductions for tax purposes.

SECTION 10. Literacy Education. - The State and LGUs shall endeavor to enhance basic
capabilities including literacy for adults. Literacy education program for adults shall be offered in
designated schools within Learning Cities nationwide.

SECTION 11. Guarantees. - The following guarantees shall be respected at all times:

a) All citizens shall be guaranteed equal opportunities for lifelong education;

b) Lifelong education shall be conducted on a learners’ willing participation and voluntary
study; and

c) Lifelong education shall not be exploited as a too! for political propaganda or personal
prejudices.

SECTION 12. Appropriation. - The funds necessary to initially implement the provisions
of this Act shall be sourced from the available funds of DepEd, CHED and TESDA. Thereafter,
the funds necessary for the continuing implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, CHED and TESDA
shall, within one hundred twenty (12) days from the effectivity of this Act, jointly issue the rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this
Act.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.


SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon the approval
and publication thereof.

Approved.