FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES =)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2651

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1 of Article 14 of the Constitution provides 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.”

It is often said that education starts at home and the best teachers are our
parents. This mantra highlights the two relevant aspects in the lives of each
Filipino: (1) the importance of education not only in the individual development of
the person but also in the development of our nation; and (2) the vital role of the
family, especially the parents, in molding the minds of our youth

A key aspect of fundamental education is reading and early training in
reading greatly helps a child in his school activities. For those who are not
fortunate to reach or finish a level or degree in school, basic reading skills will
definitely help them keep up with the demands of work or any endeavor they
intend to pursue.

This bill intends to establish mechanisms for parent-child reading activities
and provide assistance to parents who devote time and effort to teach their
children to read. The govemment, through the Department of Education, is
mandated to award at least two (2) grants to non-profit organizations that have
programs or activities that assist parents who help their children become
successful readers.

Immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

RUFUS B. R¢

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2651

AN ACT
SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO
PARENTS WHO WANT TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN BECOME SUCCESSFUL
READERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Parents as
First Teachers Challenge Grant Act’

SEC 2. Purpose. — The purpose of this Act is to support effective and
proven efforts that provide assistance to parents who want to help their children
become successful readers by the end of the third grade.

SEC 3. Definition. — As used in this Act -

1. Eligible Child — means an individual eligible to attend pre-school,
kindergarten or 1%, 2", or 3° grade.

2. Secretary - means the Secretary of Education

SEC 4. Grants for national or regional networks. — The Secretary is
authorized to award at least two (2) grants to non-profit community groups or
organizations or consortia thereof per region, to enable such groups,
organizations or consortia to create successful programs or activities that help a
parent

(1) be a good teacher to the eligible child;

(2) assists the eligible child in attaining reading skills.

SEC 5. Criteria for Grants for National or Regional Networks. - In order to
receive a grant under Section 4, a group, organization, or consortium shall


establish a training institute and comprehensive counseling program, where such
group, organization or consortium will work with parents to improve their eligible
children’s reading skills.

SEC 6. Applications. —

(a) In General — Each entity desiring a grant under this Act shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.

(b) Applications for Grants for National or Regional Networks - Each
application submitted for a grant under Section 4 shall:

(1) demonstrate the likelihood that the proposed program or activity will
have a substantial regional or national impact;

(2) demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed program or
activity; and,

(3) describe how the proposed program or activity will be coordinated
with private sector programs and activities, and government
programs and activities that provide support for parent of eligible
children,

(©) Applications for Grants for Successful Programs or Activities — Each
application submitted under Subsection (a) for a grant under Section 4 (2)
shall:

(1) describe a program or activity that is capable of successful
expansion or replication;

(2) contain evidence of community support for the proposed program or
activity from the private sector, a school, and another entity;

(3) contain information demonstrating the costeffectiveness of the
proposed program or activity; and,

(4) provide an assurance that the applicant will coordinate the proposed
Program or activity with government programs and activities that
provide support for parents of eligible children.

SEC 7. Authorization of Appropriations. ~

(a) Appropriations — To effectively carry out the purpose of this Act, the
amount of Twenty Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000.00) for each fiscal
year is hereby authorized to be included in the General Appropriations
Act.


(b) Entitlement — Subject to subsection (a), each entity receiving a grant
under this Act for a fiscal year shall be entitled to payments for such
year under the grant

SEC 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly

SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.