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Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lo) CATE oie
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS \ time: lope |
First Regular Session \A F;
BY: (ponte “
House srt wo.5964 Ss. ey

Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC EDUCATION DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM
AND MANDATING ALL TV NETWORKS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AIR TIME FOR AIRING DISTANCE LEARNING TV CLASSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Department of Education (DepEd) moved the opening of classes for 2020
from June to August while waiting for a cure or a vaccine for the 2019 novel
coronavirus or COVID-19. Since the traditional face-to-face classroom set up in
schools might still not be safe in light of the virus, DepEd is planning to implement
alternative learning modalities, such as technology-mediated learning in delivering
lessons to students

While DepEd is leaning towards an alternative learning system with the
internet as the primary delivery medium, this Representation believes that an
alternative learning system delivered through TV broadcast would be more inclusive
and accessible to the masses. Several studies have consistently shown that TV is still
the media platform with the greatest reach in the country. A study conducted by
Philippine Survey and Research Center (PSRC) in 2019, showed that 87% of
households in the country have a television. As of May 2020, there are 22,975,630
total households in the Philippines,

Moreover, DepEd will not be able to provide all of its teachers and students
internet-capable equipment. In an interview last May 21, 2020, Education
Undersecretary Alain Pascua shared that the ratio of computers per student in public
schools is roughly 1 computer to 20 students. DepEd only has 1.3 million tablets,
laptops and computers for its 21.4 million public school students.

Then there is question of readiness for both the teachers and the students to
transition into a different learning modality. In a survey conducted by the Asia
Foundation it was shown that only 15% of Filipino teachers have been trained to
deliver alternative modes of education, while some 84 percent said they are “not yet
ready”


In view of the foregoing, this Bill seeks to invoke the responsibility to the public
embedded in the legislative franchises of all TV networks to “assist the Government
in the functions of public information and education” by mandating all TV networks
to provide DepEd free air time for distance learning TV classes targeting specific
school levels at specific times to ensure that students without internet access or from
far-flung areas can still study under the distance-learning scheme.

In addition, This Bill also seeks to establish the BASIC EDUCATION Distance
Learning Program by mandating DepEd to implement the necessary modifications in
the current public school in order to transition to a TV broadcast-based system.

Lastly, this legislation also aims to provide additional layer of protection to our
public school in the performance of their duties during this pandemic.

Urgent approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

HON. WES GATC!
Representative, 1
Valenzuela City

District


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5964

—_—_—————

Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN
~7—-__eeo

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC EDUCATION DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM
AND MANDATING ALL TV NETWORKS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AIR TIME FOR AIRING DISTANCE LEARNING TV CLASSES.

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 "Basic Education
Distance Learning Program"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies - It is the policy of the State
to promote the right of all citizens to quality education. It is likewise that State’s
highest priority to enact of measures that will promote health and safety of the
students and the teachers alike. Towards this end, the State shall provide an
accessible alternative learning system to allow students to continue their education
while keeping them safe from the threats of 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19).

SEC. 3. Objectives - This act seeks to attain the following objectives:

a) Provide continuity of learning and education to all basic education students
during the period wherein physical classes or traditional face-to-face classroom
lecture is not possible due to the threats of the COVID 19 virus.

b) To provide adequate attention to the learning needs of basic education students
during the period wherein physical classes of traditional face to face is not possible
due to the threat of COVID 19 virus.

¢) To provide effective and accessible alternative modes education to basic education
students in the Country.

d) To adopt and implement innovative alternative modes of education in adherence
to the Social Distancing Protocol.


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€) To equip our teachers to deliver alternative modes of education.

SEC. 4. Basic Education Distance Learning Program - The Basic
Education Distance Learning Program will be delivered primarily via television
broadcast of distance learning TV classes/lessons, which will be complemented by
the appropriate teaching module and material to be administered by the teacher in
charge.

DepEd will prepare distance learning TV classes based on its existing
curriculum for each grade level under the BASIC EDUCATION Program taking into
consideration the following guidelines:

a) The distance learning TV classes/lessons for the Distance Learning
System will be composed 3 hours video lessons;

b) The video lessons must cover at least two subjects per day.

©) The video lessons will be aired from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 12am;

d) The video lessons must be interactive and include activity materials or
homework to reinforce the lessons which will be administered by the
teacher in charge.

Furthermore, DepEd shall furnish the necessary teaching module and
materials, provide training to teachers and other staffs, and the guidelines to
implement the distance learning program in every barangay in the country.

SEC. 5. Allocation of Air Time for DepEd- All television stations in the
Philippines, including those owned or controlled by the Government, are hereby
mandated to give, free of charge, three hours of their air time every Monday to
Saturday, from eight o'clock (8:00) am to twelve noon (12:00), to Department of
Education (DepEd) upon the approval of this Act and until such time that the
Philippine education system can return to its traditional classroom setting. Nothing
in this Act shall prevent TV networks from donating to DepEd more than three hours
of their air time. The donation of air time will be considered as part of the TV
Network's corporate social responsibility project or program.

The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) is hereby directed to
provide DepEd the list of all active TV Networks in the country within fifteen (15)
days upon the approval of this Act. The NTC shall also provide a report if the one
station - one grade level ratio can be implemented in the entire country.

DepEd will assign to each television network a specific grade level/s to cater
to. Furthermore, each television stations are also mandated to:

a) simultaneously stream the virtual lessons on their own online platforms;
and

b) are also required to make the video file of the distance learning TV classes
available for at least one year and accessible to all.

SEC. 6. Enrollment Procedure - DepEd in close coordination with the
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Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) must adopt and implement
innovative enrollment procedure consistent with social distancing protocols.

Enrollment shall be conducted per barangay for all learners intending to
attend academic year 2020-2021, including those who enrolled during the early
registration period in February 2020. The enrollees and/or their parents/guardians
shall provide their information through an enrollment survey form intended to
collect important information to consider for in the implementation of the BASIC
EDUCATION Distance Learning Program, such as, but not limited to:

Number of TV sets in their household;
Number of students of different grade level per household;
Number of Computer, laptop and tablets in their househol:
Whether or not they access to the internet;

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SEC. 7. Role of Teachers - A class adviser will be assigned per grade level in
every barangay. Every class advisor shall be responsible for twenty (20) students. In
case the number of students in a grade level in one barangay exceeds twenty (20),
additional teachers or temporary teacher assistants (TTA) will be assigned to help in
the conduct of the distance learning program.

DepEd will provide the teachers orientation and training activities on the
implementation of the Basic Education Distance Learning Program, preparation of
activity worksheets and other materials. DepEd may facilitate the training through
television broadcast.

Under this Act, all public-school teachers will be classified as frontliners and
the State shall ensure that they are protected by providing them with a "Special risk
allowance” in addition to the “Special Hardship Allowances” granted under the
Magna Carta of Public-School Teachers or Republic Act No. 4670.

In areas where there is shortage of teachers, DepEd may engage services of
Temporary Teacher Assistants (ITA) who must be over eighteen years old and a
bachelor’s degree holder, to assist the teachers in the distribution and collection of
educational materials. Provided, that TTA to be hired on temporary basis shall
receive appropriate compensation and allowances: Provided, further, that all TTA
shall also receive "Special risk allowance" from the government.

SEC. 8. Role of Parents - The parents/guardians will be the primary
supervising authority of the students under the Basic Education Distance Learning
Program. As such seamless coordination between the parent/guardian and teacher
will be essential in order to ensure that the objective of this act is achieved.
Therefore, DepEd shall conduct orientations and capacity building for parents and
guardians to prepare them for their role/responsibilities under this Act.

SEC. 9. Provision for Students without TV Access - For students without
TV at home, or for household with single TV set and multiple students of different
grade levels, DepEd in coordination with the Barangay Council and the Local

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Government Unit must provide television sets in designated facilities where the said
students may view the distance learning TV classes under the Distance Learning
Program, provided that strict social distancing is observed. In barangays with
existing schools, the rooms and building of the said schools will be used for this
purpose, subject to compliance with minimum health standards.

In low risk localities, as determined by the Department of Health (DOH), and
the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases
(ATF), TV sharing between neighboring households may be allowed, provided that
social distancing is observed. DepEd, in coordination with the DOH, and the IATF
will promulgate guidelines regarding the minimum health standards to be observed
and number of students allowable per rooms/area.

SEC. 10. Student Progress Monitoring - DepEd is hereby mandated to
modify its grading system and come up with a monitoring protocol to ensure that
the goals of the Act are achieved and to effectively track the progress of each student.

SEC. 11. Allocation from the Department of Education - The DepEd shall
allocate an appropriate amount from its regular budget for the implementation of
the Basic Education Distance Learning Program under this Act.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
upon the approval of this Act, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the various
stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause - If any provision or SEC. of this Act or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other
provisions or sections of this Act, in the application of such provision or SEC. to
other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 14, Repealing Clause - All acts or parts of acts and executive orders,
administrative orders, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed.

SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,