NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
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 
government, 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 earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
April 11, 2023
8:00 am
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
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 
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
1st, 2nd, or 3rd 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:
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(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. 
 
(c) 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 cost-effectiveness 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,