FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A local public school teacher 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 21" Century will require lifelong learning to 
keep our workforce competitive and successful, and local public schools should provided centers 
for lifelong learning and educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. 
This bill seeks the establishment of 21" Century Learning Centers to enable the entire 
community to develop an educational strategy that addresses the educational needs of all 
members of local communities.* 
*This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATIONAL 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 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the “21st Century Community 
Learning Center’s Act of 2007.” 
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 Community Learning Center. - For purposes of this Act, the 
term “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 
Is operated by a local educational agency in conjunction with local government 
agencies, business, vocational educational programs, institutions of higher 
education, community colleges, and cultural recreational, and other community and 
human service entities. 
(B) 
SECTION 4. Program Authorization. - 
(A) Grant by the Secreta y of Education. - The Secretary is authorized, in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act, to award grants to public elementary or secondary schools, or 
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consortia of such schools, to enable such schools or consortia to plan, implement, or to 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 and 
rural areas. 
(C) Grunt Period. - The Secretary shall award grants for a period not to exceed three (3) 
years. 
SECTION 5. Application Period. - 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 - 
(A) A comprehensive local plan that enables the school or consortium to serve as a 
center for the delivery o€ education and human resources for members of a 
community; 
(B) An evaluation of the needs, available resources, and goals and objectives for the 
proposed project in order to determine which activities will be undertaken to 
address such needs; and 
(C) A description of the proposed projects, including 
(1) A description of the mechanism that will be used to disseminate information 
in a manner that is understandable and accessible to the community; 
(2) Identification of national and local programs to be merged or coordinated so 
that public resources may be maximized; 
(3) A description of the collaborative efforts to be undertaken by community- 
based organizations, related public agencies, business, or other appropriate 
organizations; 
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(4) A description of how the school or consortium will serve as a delivery center 
for existing and new services, especially for interactive telecommunications 
used for education and professional training; and 
( 5 )  An assurance that the school or consortium will establish a facility utilization 
policy that specifically states the rules and regulations applicable to building 
an equipment use and supervision guidelines. 
SECTION 6. Priority. - The Secretary shall give priority to applications describing 
projects that offer broad selection of services which address the needs of the community. 
SECTION 7. Use 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: 
(A) Literacy education programs; 
(B) Senior Citizen programs and services for individuals with disabilities; 
(C) Children’s day care services; 
(D) Integrated education, health, social service, recreational or cultural programs; 
(E) Summer and weekend school programs in conjunction with recreational programs; 
(F) Nutrition and health programs; 
(G) Expanded library service hours to serve community needs; 
(H) Telecommunications and technology education programs for individuals of all ages; 
(I) 
Parenting skills education programs; 
(J) 
Support and training for child day are providers; 
(IC) Employment counseling, training and placement; and 
(L) Services for out-of-school youth. 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this 
Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated for every fiscal year. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 10. 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 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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