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ae . 27 AUG 2013

Republic of the Philippines Gs le PH

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress A
First Regular Session

2577

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. and Honorable Julieta R.
Cortuna, Representatives, A TEACHER Party-list

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The existing Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act
under Republic Act No. 6728 as amended by Republic Act No. 8545 covers only students and
teachers in secondary and higher institutions. This is somewhat short of what the constitution
mandated that the state should provide or support basic education.

By amending further the provisions of Republic Act No. 6728 as amended by Republic
Act No. 8545 to include pre-elementary and elementary education, the constitutional provision

on basic education will now be fully satisfied.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is hereby being earnestly sought.

AP

MARIANO U. PIAMOXTE, JR.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2577

Introduced by Honorable Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. and Honorable Julieta R.
Cortuna, Representatives, A TEACHER Party-list

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8545, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN PRIVATE
EDUCATION ACT”, PROVIDING FOR AN EXPANDED VOUCHER OR COUPON
SYSTEM IN SECONDARY, POST-SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8545, otherwise known as the "Expanded
Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act”, is hereby
amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State in conformity
with the mandate of the Constitution, to promote and make quality education
accessible to all Filipino citizens. The State also hereby recognizes the
complementary roles of public and private educational institutions in the
educational system and the invaluable contribution that the private schools have
made and will make to education. For these purposes, the State shall provide the
mechanisms to improve quality in [private] education by maximizing the use of
existing resources of private education, recognizing in the process the
government's responsibility to provide basic elementary and secondary education,
post-secondary [vocational and] technical VOCATIONAL [e]Education and
TRAINING, higher education AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM (ALS) as
having priority over its other functions.


"Elementary education is the first six (6) years of basic education,
excluding pre-school and grade seven, the completion of which is attested by
a certificate issued by or with permission of the Department of Education [,
Culture and Sports] (DEPED). “Secondary education is the next four (4)
years of basic education, the completion of which is attested by a high school
diploma issued by or with permission of the [Department of Education, Culture
and Sports.] DEPED.

"Post-secondary TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL education AND
TRAINING [may be] IS THE education and training in non-degree [vocational
and] technical AND VOCATIONAL courses offered in post-secondary
[vocational and] technical VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
institutions, [or education in degree courses offered by higher educational
institutions] the completion of which [are] IS attested by a certificate or
diploma issued by or with permission of the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA)for the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), respectively].

“TERTIARY EDUCATION REFERS TO UNDERGRADUATE AND POST-
GRADUATE COURSES OFFERED BY HIGHER EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS, THE COMPLETION OF WHICH IS ATTESTED BY THE
CONFERMENT OF ACADEMIC DEGREES ISSUED BY OR WITH THE
PERMISSION OF THE COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED).

“ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM IS A PARALLEL LEARNING
SYSTEM TO PROVIDE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE EXISTING
FORMAL EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION. IT ENCOMPASSES BOTH THE
NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE AND
SKILLS.”

SEC. 2. Anew section 3 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

“SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY. - THE STATE ASSISTANCE
COUNCIL, HEREINAFTER KNOWN AS THE “COUNCIL” SHALL BE
HEADED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPED AS CHAIRPERSON, THE
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CHED AND THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE
TESDA AS CO-CHAIRPERSONS, WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), THE
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), THE
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST), AND
REPRESENTATIVES FROM DULY ORGANIZED NATIONWIDE
ASSOCIATIONS OF TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS CONCERNED WITH SECONDARY, POST-SECONDARY
AND TERTIARY EDUCATION AS MEMBERS. THE LAST THREE(3)
MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL UPON THE


RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SECTORS FOR A TERM OF
ONE(1) SCOOL YEAR SUBJECT TO REAPPOINTMENT FOR A MAXIMUM
OF FOUR(4) SCHOOL YEARS. A REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE
COMMITEES ON EDUCATION OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS SHALL
BE DESIGNATED RESOURCE PERSONS TO THE COUNCIL.

"THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET TWICE A YEAR OR AS THE NEED
ARISES, TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE PROGRAMS AND TO
ENSURE THAT THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, POST-SECONDARY
TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
AND TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WHERE STUDENT
RECIPIENTS ARE ENROLLED CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY
EDUCATION.”

SEC.3. Sec. 3 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 3. Criteria for Assistance. - The programs for assistance TO
STUDENTS shall be based on a set of criteria which shall include, among
others, tuition fees charged by the schools, the socioeconomic needs of each
region giving priority to the [Social Reform Agenda (SRA)] 5" AND 6™
CLASS MUNICIPALITIES, overall performance of the PRIVATE schools, the
academic qualifications and the financial needs of the students and the
teachers and the financial [needs] STATUS of the PRIVATE schools, as well
as the [geographic spreadJRATIO OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS VIS-A-VIS
PRIVATE SCHOOLS and size of student population IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

"In addition to the foregoing criteria, within such reasonable time as the
[respective State Assistance Council] COUNCIL may determine, student
grantees under the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program
(PESFA)shall be enrolled in schools which have accredited programs or are
applying for accreditation as may be recognized by the [respective State
Assistance] Council

“Preference shall be given to students whose ANNUAL family income is
[not more than Seventy-two thousand pesos (P72,000) or such amounts as
may be determined by the respective councils, as defined hereinafter]
BELOW THE POVERTY THRESHOLD INCOME as may be determined by
the [respective councils, as defined hereinafter] NEDA. STUDENTS WHOSE
ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME IS ABOVE THE POVERTY THRESHOLD
INCOME MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED AS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE PROGRAM PROVIDED: THAT PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO
STUDENTS WHOSE ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME IS BELOW THE POVERTY
THRESHOLD INCOME.


“THE COUNCIL MAY ADJUST THE ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME
QUALIFICATION DEPENDING ON THE CHANGES IN THE ECONOMIC
CIRCUMSTANCE AND CONDITIONS OF THE COUNTRY TO
ACCOMMODATE MORE BENEFICIARIES.

"For purposes of this Act, programs of assistance to students and teachers
of private post-secondary [vocational and] technical VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING institutions and [higher] TERTIARY educational
institutions shall likewise be extended to students and teachers of
[community] LOCAL colleges AND UNIVERSITIES in degree and non-degree
programs. Implementation of the program shall encourage students to
undergo post-secondary [vocational and] technical VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING and [higher] TERTIARY education courses in
the same region where their families reside.

“The programs of assistance under this Act shall be extended only to students
who are citizens of the Philippines. x-x-x

"The [State Assistance] Couneilf, jointly with the Department of Education,
Culture and Sports (DECS), the CHED and the TESDA] shall formulate
measurement standards for the evaluation of the quality of courses as well as
the standing and status of the recipient institutions.

"Within five (5) years... x—x =x."
SEC. 4, Sec. 4 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4. Forms of Assistance. - Assistance to private education shall
consist of assistance to students and assistance to teachers.

"The following are forms of assistance to students in private education:

['(1) Tuition fee supplements for students in private high schools, including
‘students in vocational and technical courses;]

"(2) [High School Textbook Assistance Fund:] TRANSPORTATION
AND/OR TEXTBOOK/BOOK ALLOWANCES FOR SECONDARY, POST-
SECONDARY TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING,
AND COLLEGE STUDENTS; [: Provided, That the textbook assistance per
student in private high schools shall be determined by the [c]Council and shall
not exceed what students in public high schools are provided on a per student
basis under a comprehensive textbook program of the Secondary Education
Development Program (SEDP): Provided, further, That the textbook
assistance shall be granted only to beneficiaries of tuition fee supplements
and educational service contracting scheme provided in this Act;]


"(3)_ [Expansion of the existing] Educational Service Contracting (ESC)
Scheme;

"(4) The voucher system of the Private Education Student Financial
Assistance Program (PESFA);

"(6) Scholarship grants to students graduating as valedictorians [and],
salutatorians AND THOSE WITH ACADEMIC HONORS from secondary
schools;

"(6) Tuition fee supplements to students in THE POST-SECONDARY
TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COURSES AND.
STUDENTS IN [private colleges and universities]; TERTIARY EDUCATION
and

"(7) Education Loan Fund.

"The following are forms of assistance to teachers and faculty in private
education:

"(1) In-service training fund for teachers in private high schools; and
(2) [College] Faculty TRAINER Development Fund FOR:

(A) BASIC EDUCATION;

(B)_ POST-SECONDARY TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS;

(C) TERTIARY EDUCATION; AND

(D) ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

)"3) TEACHERS’ SALARY SUBSIDY.”
SEC.5. Sec. 5 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby deleted.
SEC.6. Sec. 6 of Republic Act No.8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 6. High School Textbook Assistance Fund. —There shall be
established in the [Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS),]
DEPED a High School Textbook Assistance Fund, so that assistance on a per
student basis shall be given to students enrolled in private schools exclusively
for the purchase of high school textbooks, in support of the implementation of
the Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP): Provided, That the
textbook assistance shall be determined by the council and shall not exceed
what students in public high schools are provided on a per student basis:


Provided, further, That the textbook assistance shall be granted only to
beneficiaries of [tuition fee supplements and] educational service contracting
scheme FOR BASIC EDUCATION AS provided in this Act.”

SEC 7. Sec. 7 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 7. [Expansion of the Existing] Educational Service Contracting
(ESC) Scheme. -

“(a) The [Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)] DEPED
shall continue to enter into contracts with private schools whereby the
government shall [shoulder the tuition and other fees of high school students
who shall enrol _ in private high schools under this program] PROVIDE DIRECT
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE STUDENTS WHO WANT TO ENROL IN
PRIVATE SCHOOLS BUT DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY TO
AFFORD THE TUITION FEE IN THESE SCHOOLS.

"(b) The [Department] DEPED shall also enter into contracts with private
schools [in communities where there are no public high schools, in which
case the Department shall shoulder the tuition and other fees of students who
shall enrol in said private schools) ACCREDITED BY THE DEPED
PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES WHERE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CANNOT ACCOMMODATE THE STUDENTS DUE TO THE INCREASING
STUDENT POPULATION, IN WHICH CASE THE DEPED SHALL PROVIDE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHICH MAY COVER THE TUITION AND OTHER
FEES OF STUDENTS WHO SHALL ENROL IN SAID PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

"(c) The amount of assistance to be given by the government [under this
Sec. shall not exceed that determined as the] SHALL BE EQUAL TO BUT
NOT MORE THAN THE per student cost in public [high] SECONDARY
schools.

"(d) The [Department] DEPED shall fully pay the subsidized amount to
participating SECONDARY schools not later than one hundred eighty (180)
days from the close of the registration period.

"(e) The amount of assistance shall be allocated and distributed among the
[sixteen (16)] SEVENTEEN (17) regions in proportion to the total population as
well as the [high] SECONDARY school age population for the first school year
[: Provided, That starting school year 1998, an equalization scheme shall be
implemented by the State Assistance Council]

"() The amount of assistance to private [high] SECONDARY schools
participating in the program shall be guaranteed for a number of slots as of the


effectivity of this Act as the number of students availing of educational service
contracting assistance for school year [1997-1998] 2011-2012: Provided, That
the Council may, in subsequent years determine additional slots and/or
additional participating private [high] SECONDARY schools as may be deemed
necessary.

"(G) THE COUNCIL MAY IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS INCREASE THE
AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS UNDER THE ESC
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. SUCH ASSISTANCE
MAY BE EQUIVALENT TO THE PER STUDENT COST IN THE PUBLIC
SECONDARY SCHOOL BUT NOT MORE THAN THE PER STUDENT COST
IN THE PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL.”

SEC 8. Sec. 8 of Republic Act No.8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 8. Assistance to College Freshmen. —

(a) The Voucher System of PESFA Program. - [The existing Private
Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) Program which covers
degree and non-degree [vocational/technical VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
AND TRAINING courses shall be expanded so that all qualified enrolling first
year students can benefit from a scholarship, plus an allowance] THE
GOVERNMENT SHALL UNDERTAKE AN ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE
AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE, AS DETERMINED BY THE COUNCIL,
PROVIDED UNDER THE PESFA PROGRAM OF TESDA COVERING THE
TUITION FEE, BOOK ALLOWANCE AND STIPEND SO AS TO HELP THE
STUDENTS COPE WITH THE INCREASING COST OF EDUCATION,
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: PROVIDED, THAT, [S|Such
financial assistance shall be granted to deserving underprivileged students,
who shall be selected on the basis of family income AS DETERMINED BY
THE NEDA, geographic spread and results of competitive examinations to be
given by the CHED for degree courses and the TESDA for non-degree

[vocational/Jtechnical VOCATIONAL EDUCAION AND TRAINING courses.
in all secondary schools in coordination with the [DECS] DEPED. The
program shall be equitably allocated to provinces and cities in accordance
with regional and national plans to priority courses as determined by the
CHED and the TESDA. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE CHED AND.
TESDA SHALL DIRECTLY PAY THE STUDENTS THE AMOUNT
COVERING THE TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES SUBJECT TO
STRICT MONITORING. HOWEVER, THE STIPEND OF EACH STUDENT
BENEFICIARY SHALL BE CLAIMED IN THE NEAREST CHED OR TESDA
REGIONAL OFFICE.


"THE CHED AND TESDA SHALL REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE
PRESENT COURSES OF STUDENTS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED
PRIORITY IN THE GRANTING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MAKE
THE LIST OF COURSES MORE RELEVANT TO THE NEEDS OF THE
COUNTRY.

“For purposes of this Act, an underprivileged student shall refer to a
student whose gross income, if any, and that of the combined annual gross
income of his/her parents [do not exceed Seventy-two thousand pesos
(P72,000).] Is BELOW THE POVERTY THRESHOLD INCOME.

"(b) Tuition FEE Waiver. - Private post-secondary [vocational and
Itechnical VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING institutions and
[higher] TERTIARY educational institutions shall provide for full or half tuition
FEE waivers for five percent (5%) of the entering freshmen, which shall include
among others, valedictorians and salutatorians of both public [high]
SECONDARY schools and private [high] SECONDARY schools: Provided,
That those valedictorians and salutatorians meet admission tests of the schools
concerned.

['(©) Allowance for Valedictorians - . Subject to rules and regulations as
may be promulgated by the State Assistance Council, valedictorians, referred
to under subparagraph (b) above, may, in addition to tuition waivers granted by
the school concerned, be entitled to such allowances from the government as
are provided to PESFA grantees, provided they shall enroll in priority courses.]

["(d) Allowance for other Honorees. — In case the graduating class is
composed of more than two hundred and fifty (250) students, all salutatorians
and first honorable mention graduates thereof may also be entitled to the
allowance granted to valedictorians under the preceding paragraph.”,]

"(C) ALLOWANCE FOR VALEDICTORIANS, SALUTATORIANS AND
OTHER ACADEMIC HONOREES. - SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS AS MAY BE PROMULGATED BY THE COUNCIL,
VALEDICTORIANS, SALUTATORIANS AND OTHER ACADEMIC
HONOREES REFERRED TO UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (B) ABOVE, MAY,
IN ADDITION TO TUITION FEE WAIVERS GRANTED BY THE SCHOOL
CONCERNED, BE ENTITLED TO SUCH ALLOWANCES FROM THE
GOVERNMENT AS ARE PROVIDED TO PESFA GRANTEES, PROVIDED
THEY SHALL ENROL IN PRIORITY COURSES.”

SEC. 9. Sec. 9 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:


"SEC. 9. Further Assistance to Students in Private Colleges and Universities. —
Tuition fee supplements for students of private post-secondary [vocational and]
technical VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING institutions and [higher]
TERTIARY educational institutions enrolled in priority course programs determined
by the TESDA and the CHED, RESPECTIVELY, shall be provided by the
government through a voucher system in the following manner:

“For students in priority programs in schools charging an effective per unit
tuition rate of such amount as may be determined by the [State Assistance] Council,
the government shall provide the student with a voucher for the amount of tuition
fee supplement determined by the [State Assistance] Council.”

“|Government assistance and tuition increases as described in this Sec. shall be
governed by the same condition as provided under Sec. [5] 6 (2) of this Act.]

SEC 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8545. x-x- x
SEC. 11. Sec. 11 of Republic Act No. 8545. x-x-x
SEC. 12. Anew Section 12 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

“SEC. 12. SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN PRIVATE SECONDARY AND POST-
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. - THE
PARTICIPATING PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE GASTPE PROGRAM MAY
INSTITUTIONALIZE COUNTERPART FUNDING TO FINANCE THE ESC
SCHEME, TRANSPORTATION AND/OR TEXTBOOK/BOOK ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM AND THE PESFA. THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE HEREBY
ENJOINED TO PROVIDE A COUNTERPART OF AT LEAST 20% OF THE
GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE STUDENT-
BENEFICIARIES.”

SEC. 13. Anew section 13 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

SEC. 13. TAX INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE SCHOOL. PARTICIPATING
PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH ARE WILLING TO CONDONE/SHOULDER THE
AMOUNT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY GRANTED TO THE STUDENT BENEFICIARY AND THE
PARTICIPATING PRIVATE SCHOOL’S ACTUAL TUITION AND OTHER FEES,
SHALL BE GIVEN TAX INCENTIVES SIMILAR/COMPARABLE TO THOSE
PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 3 OF REVENUE REGULATIONS NO. 10-2003 OF
THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, TITLED, "IMPLEMENTING THE TAX
INCENTIVES PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8525, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE "ADOPT-A-SCHOOL ACT OF 1998”.

SEC. 14. Anew section 14 is hereby inserted to read as follows:


“SEC. 15. CONDITIONS FOR TUITION FEE SUBSIDY. — ASSISTANCE
PROVIDED IN THE PRECEDING SECTIONS SHALL BE GRANTED ON THE
CONDITION THAT SEVENTY PERCENT (70%) OF THE AMOUNT SUBSIDIZED
SHALL GO TO PAYMENT OF SALARIES, WAGES, ALLOWANCES AND OTHER
BENEFITS OF TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL EXCEPT
ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE SCHOOL,
AND MAY BE USED TO COVER INCREASES AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS EXISTING OR IN FORCE UPON
THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, THAT AT LEAST 20% SHALL GO
TO THE IMPROVEMENT OR MODERNIZATION OF BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT,
LIBRARIES, LABORATORIES, GYMNASIA AND SIMILAR FACILITIES AND TO
THE PAYMENT OF OTHER COSTS OF OPERATION. FOR THIS PURPOSE,
THE SCHOOL SHALL MAINTAIN A SEPARATE RECORD OF ACCOUNTS FOR
ALL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT, ANY TUITION FEE
INCREASE, AND THE DETAILED DISPOSITIONS AND USE THEREOF, WHICH
RECORD SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PERIODIC INSPECTION AS MAY
BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNCIL.”

SEC. 15. Sec. 12 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [12]16. In-service Training Fund (Inset Fund). - For the purpose of
improving the quality of teaching in private secondary education, there is hereby
established in the [Department of Education, Culture and Sports] DEPED an Inset
Fund to provide for the upgrading of knowledge and teaching competencies in
critical subject areas and for the modernization of teaching techniques and
strategies, including training in the use of computers and of other multi-media
educational technologies to assist instruction: Provided, That the Inset Fund shall
be available [only] to ALL [qualified licensed] teachers in participating private
{high]SECONDARY schools as determined by the [State Assistance] Council
Provided, further, That the amount of Inset Fund available to private secondary
education shall not exceed that available to public secondary education on a per
capita basis.”

SEC 16. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [13]17. [College] FacultyITRAINER Development Fund FOR BASIC
EDUCATION, POST-SECONDARY TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, TERTIARY EDUCATION AND
ALTERNATVE LEARNING SYSTEM. - For the purpose of improving the
quality of teaching in private BASIC EDUCATION, post-secondary [vocational
and] technical VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING institutions and
[higher]TERTIARY educational institutions, there is hereby established in the
DEPED, TESDA and the CHED, a [College] Faculty/TRAINER Development
Fund to provide for scholarships for BASIC EDUCATION, graduate degree,


degree and non-degree workshops or seminars for faculty members in private
BASIC EDUCATION, post-secondary [vocational and] technical VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING institutions and [higherJTERTIARY educational
institutions: Provided, That faculty member recipients of such scholarships shall
serve as many number of years for every

year of scholarship availed of as may be determined by the [State Assistance]
Council in conformity with THE prevailing [National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA)] NEDA policies on return service of
government scholars. The scholarship shall be in priority courses as
determined by the DEPED, TESDA and the CHED and cannot be awarded to
promote or inhibit sectarian purposes.”

SEC. 17. Sec. 14 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. [14]18. Teachers’ Salary Subsidy Fund. - A Teachers' Salary Subsidy
Fund is hereby established in the [DECS] DEPED to grant government
subsidy, IN THE AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNCIL, to
teachers in private [high] SECONDARY schools participating in the programs
of assistance provided in this Act: Provided, That the total monthly salary
which includes the subsidy to be received by such private [high] school
teachers shall not be more than eighty percent (80%) of the salary of his
counterpart in the public sector: Provided, further, That the amount of monthly
subsidy shall not exceed the amount of any monthly BASIC salary increase
that teachers in public [highISECONDARY schools shall after the effectivity of
this Act hereinafter receive: Provided, further, That private [high] SECONDARY
school teachers qualified to receive subsidy under this Act are duly licensed by
the Professional Regulation Commission: Provided, further, That the
government shall provide them with a voucher for the salary subsidy which
shall be reimbursed directly to the teachers within sixty (60) days after the
close of the school year upon submission of proof of qualification and actual
teaching service in a participating private [high] SECONDARY school:
Provided, further, That the present allocation out of increases from tuition and
other income shall be maintained: Provided, finally, That in case of
insufficiency of funds, priority shall be given to married teachers supporting a
family.”

SEC 18. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [15] 19. Program Administration/Rules and Regulations. - The
[State Assistance] Council shall be responsible for policy guidance and
direction, monitoring and evaluation of new and existing programs, and the
promulgation of the rules and regulations, while the [Department of Education,
Culture and Sports] DEPED, the TESDA and the CHED shall be responsible
for the day to day administration and program implementation for the
programs of assistance to private secondary education, post-secondary


{vocational and technical] education and [higher] TERTIARY education,
Tespectively. Likewise, it may engage the services and support of any
qualified government or private entity for its implementation.

[The State Assistance Council, hereinafter known as the Council, shall be
headed by the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as chairperson, the
chairperson of the CHED and the director-general of the TESDA as co-
chairpersons, with representatives from the National Economic and
Development Authority, the Department of Budget and Management, the
Department of Science and Technology, and representatives from duly
organized nationwide associations of teachers, students, parents and school
administrators concerned with secondary, post-secondary vocational and
technical education and higher education as members. The last three
members shall be appointed by the Council upon the recommendation of their
respective sectors for a term of one (1) school year subject to reappointment
for a maximum term of four (4) school years. A representative from each from
the Committees on Education of both Houses of Congress shall be designated
resource persons to the Council

"The Council shall meet, from time to time, as the need arises, to assess
the effectivity of the programs and to ensure that the secondary schools, post-
secondary vocational and technical institutions and higher educational
institutions where student recipients are enrolled continue to provide quality
education. For this purpose, the Council shall establish criteria to determine
which secondary schools, post-secondary vocational and technical institutions
and higher educational institutions may continue to enroll students and
teachers/faculty as recipients of government assistance under this Act.”]

SEC 19. Sec. 16 of Republic Act No. 8545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1.

"SEC. [16]20. Appropriations. — [The amount needed to implement these
programs shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act for the
year 1998. The appropriation of One billion pesos (P1,000,000,000) already
appropriated under the General Appropriations Act of 1998 shall be used for
this purpose

“All funds appropriated for this purpose shall be constituted as a trust fund to
be administered by the State Assistance Council, which shall be directly and
automatically released to the different regional offices of the DECS.] THE
DEPED MAY UTILIZE ITS SAVINGS FROM ANY ITEM OF APPROPRIATION
IN FISCAL YEAR 2011: PROVIDED, THAT ANY DEFICIENCY SHALL BE
TAKEN FROM ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:

TWENTY PERCENT (20%) OF THE TRAVEL TAX AND AIRPORT

DEPARTURE TAX COLLECTIONS;


2 TEN PERCENT (10%) OF ANY FUNDS COLLECTED BY THE SUGAR
REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE
COCONUT AUTHORITY;

3. TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE NET INCOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT
ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES;

4. PORTIONS OF THE OVERSEAS WELFARE FUND TO BENEFIT THE
DEPENDENTS OR CHILDREN OF OVERSEAS WORKERS; AND

5. ANY OTHER LUMP SUM APPROPRIATIONS OR COLLECTIONS
UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT.

PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT MADE AVAILABLE
TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE
BILLION PESOS (P1,000,000,000.00) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011.
THEREAFTER, SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR ITS
CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION SHALL BE [INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL
GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT] INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL AGENCY
APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF DEPED, TESDA AND CHED. SUCH AMOUNT
SHALL BE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM THE BUDGET CEILINGS OF
THESE AGENCIES .”

SEC 20. Sec. 17 of Republic Act No. 8545 shall be renumbered as Sec. 21 and is
hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. [17] 21. Penalties. - In case of violations of the provisions of this Act
or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by an institution, the
[Department of Education, Culture and Sports] DEPED, the TESDA and the
CHED, upon the recommendation of the Council, may bar the institution from
participating in or benefiting from the programs of this Act, and from other
programs of the [Department] DEPED, THE TESDA AND THE CHED, without
prejudice to administrative and criminal charges as may be filed against the
school and/or its responsible officers under existing laws.”

SEC.21. A new section 22 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

"SEC. 22, JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE- THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, CULTURE AND ARTS AND THE
HOUSE COMMITTEES ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND
HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SHALL OVERSEE THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXPANDED VOUCHER SYSTEM IN
COORDINATION WITH THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL SHALL SUBMIT TO
CONGRESS AN ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT. THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SHAL BE
COMPOSED OF FIVE (5) MEMBERS EACH FROM THE SENATE AND
FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , INCLUDING CHAIRS OF


THE COMMITTEES ON EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND FINANCE
OF BOTH HOUSES. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE FOR EVERY
HOUSE SHALL HAVE AT LEAST TWO (2) OPPOSITION OR MINORITY
MEMBERS”

SEC. 22. Anew section 23 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

“SEC. 23. - THE COUNCIL SHALL FORMULATE RULES AND
REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS ACT WITHIN A PERIOD OF NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE DAY OF
THIS EFFECTIVITY.”

SEC. 23. Sections 18, 19 and 20 of Republic Act No. 8545 shall be renumbered as
Sec. 24, 25 and 26, respectively:

Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. — All laws and decreesf, particularly Presidential
Decree Nos. 932 and 1371,] and such letters of instructions, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions not affected thereby.

SEC. 26. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect immediately FIFTEEN
(15) DAYS AFTER its publication in AT LEAST TWO (2) NEWSPAPERS OF

GENERAL CIRCULATION

Approved,