HULSC UF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pave: _02 AUG 2015

Tiwe:__ 6: [ory
=

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

BY:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS —
First Regular Session RECiSAITION UNM

BILLS AND iN SERVICE

House Bill No._ 2308

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS AND CREATING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL PARENT COUNCIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis expressly stated in the 1987 Constitution that the Government is mandated to support
the natural and primary right and duty of parents in rearing the youth for civic efficiency
and upright moral character. By strengthening parents associations, which this bill is
proposing to do, it is a step towards the right direction by fostering parents’ active
participation in our educational system.

There is need for a strategic collaboration between parents, teacher, school
management, the community and the students if we want them to have the best possible
education. With strengthened parents associations, the well-being of our children, who
will carry on the task of nation building, will be secured.

In recognition of parents associations’ vital role in the development of our youth. | thereof
enjoin my colleagues to ensure the expeditious passage of this bill into law.

GLORIA oom ARROYO

2” District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.2308

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS AND CREATING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL PARENT COUNCIL

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 “National Parent Council
Act of 2016.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - Pursuant to the Constitutional mandate that
the government shall support the natural and primary right and duty of the parents in the
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character, it is
hereby declared the objectives of this Act:

(a) The right and duty of parents to organize themselves and form associations for
the purpose of ventilating their ideas in relation to the proper and effective
education of their children shall be encouraged.

(b) Parents associations shall be strengthened and given necessary incentives in
order to serve best the welfare and given outmost benefits to the children; and

(0) The Department of Education (DepEd) shall give due recognition, importance and
support to parent associations as its partner in providing accessible and quality
education.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purpose of this Act, the term:

(a) “Parents Associations” refer to the organizations composed exclusively of parents
and/or guardians of school children in the primary and secondary levels
established for the purpose of ensuring the welfare of the school children and
students. Existing associations with the purpose and membership but under
different names shall be considered parent associations under this Act.

(b) “School” refer to both public and private sectarian or non-sectarian educational
institutions.

(c) “City” refers to both chartered and non-chartered cities.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to the network of parents associations
established on a per-school basis, organized at the municipality and provincial levels. As
such, parents associations at all levels within a municipality or city may from a Municipal
of City parents associations, and all municipal and City parents associations within a
province may form a Provincial parents association. The organization of these


associations shall enable the parents to perform their role effectively for the benefits and
welfare of the school children.

SECTION 5. Formation and Support of Parent Associations. — School authorities
shall encourage, support and cooperate in the organization of parents associations.

Further, barangay, municipal, city and provincial officials shall provide the
necessary assistance and support to parent association especially in the implementation
of their school-based activities and projects.

SECTION 6. Incentives. - To encourage parents and enable them to function
productively and efficiently, they shall be accorded the following:

(a) Participation in Local Government Council Meetings and School
Advisory Boards. - There shall be a parent representative to the Committee on
Education or its equivalent in the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlunsod
and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as well as to the advisory body of each school,
to be elected from among the members of municipal, city and provincial parent
associations, respectively,

(b) Exemption from Taxes. — All contributions, gifs, donations, requests by
members of the parents associations in favor of duly-approved projects that
from part of the school plans shall be exempted from taxes.

(0) Accreditation Requirement, - The existence of a dynamic and effective parents
association in a school shall be required by qualified accrediting agencies as an
evaluative criterion for the accreditation of the school

SECTION 7. National Parent Council. - To establish an effective and appropriate
body for an effective and continuing coordination between the Department of Education
and the parents associations nationwide, and to encourage a closer working relationship
which will not only promote the welfare of the school children but also to that of the
community they live in, there is hereby reacted a National Parent Council, hereafter
referred to as Council, to be composed of representatives elected from among the
Provincial parents Associations.

Officers of the Council shall be elected from among the members.

There shall be an annual general assembly of the members to be coordinated
closely with Office of the Secretary of the DepEd

SECTION 8. Power and Functions. - The Council shall have the following powers.
and functions:

(a) To act as an advisory body to the DepEd and as such shall be attached to the
Office of the Secretary for effective liaison and coordination;

(b) To participate in the formulation of national guidelines as it refers to policies
and procedures governing school fees, visual aids and practical application for
curricular activities;

(c) To assist, thru the municipality and provincial associations, the appropriate
DepEd regional, provincial or municipal office in monitoring, overseeing and
evaluating the implementation of school infrastructure projects;


(d) To provide nationwide forum wherein the views of parents on relevant issues
can be deliberate upon before these are brought to appropriate bodies for
action;

(e) To be an affective link between the DepEd and all agencies that deal with
matters pertinent to schools.

(f) To create such specialized committees and appoint members not only from
within the Council but also from the municipal, city or provincial parents
associations to help address successfully specific concerns; and

(g) To request cooperation of any barangay, municipal, city, provincial or national
official on any matter deemed necessary to carry out the provision of this Act.

SECTION 9. National Parents Association Week. — There is hereby declared a
National Parents Association Week to be held during the first week of February of every
year in order to highlight and give recognition to the achievement and importance of
parents associations in their role in giving accessible and quality education to the
children.

Appropriation activities nationwide which will include the holding of the Annual
General Assembly of the National Parent Council shall be undertaken and drawn up by
the Council.

Expenses relevant to these activities, including the organization of an assembly,
secretariat services, and attendance of members, speakers and guest shall be charged to
the budget of DepEd.

SECTION 10. Appropriations, - A regular appropriation of Five Hundred Thousand
pesos (P500,000.00) shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of
Education exclusively for the implementation of this Act

SECTION 11. The Role of the DepEd. - The DepEd shall promulgate the
implementing rule and regulations (IRR) to carry out the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive and
administrative orders inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) after ilts
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,