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Republic of the Philippines IME: 432
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6904

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the midst of a global pandemic, uncertainty seems to be the only thing certain. The very mettle
of our people is being tested in all fronts. Both the public and private sectors are doing what they
can to mitigate the damage that the COVID-19 virus has been causing and is impending to cause
in our country.

In this light, we look into this salient policy of the state: /t is the policy of the State to 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. This policy enshrined in our Constitution is unqualified,
such that even in times of local or national emergencies, where it is feasible, education must
continue. It is clear now that no vaccine will be available in the immediate future. We are here to
state that no compromise will be made on the health and safety of our learners. However, we
cannot at the same time sleep on the rights of our people to access quality education. We must
work towards finding a solution to deliver to our people what they rightfully deserve.

This measure institutionalizes blended and flexible learning in all public and private schools
during national and local emergencies. Blended and Flexible learning is the designation used to
refer to a range of learning possibilities in an education program in which the delivery varies by
combining learning platforms such as online distance learning, modular distance learning,
television o radio based instruction, and/or traditional classroom based learning. The combination
will depend on the circumstances of the calamity or disaster and the capacity of the learners in the
areas affected.



This bill was crafted to enable the education sector to be able to effectively respond to the current
paradigm of the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, it is equally important to note that the
responsiveness that this bill will provide will not only be applicable to the current national
emergency, but to our adaptability to future emergencies of this magnitude.

‘Again, it cannot be gainsaid that the welfare of our learners is of paramount importance. However,
the ingenuity and resilience of our people have shown that the will overcomes mere circumstance.
If there is a way to achieve our purpose, there is no reason not to pursue it.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

BR

ROMAN T. ROMULO
Lone District, Pasig City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House sino. 904

Introduced by Representative ROMAN T. ROMULO

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BLENDED AND FLEXIBLE LEARNING IN ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES DURING NATIONAL AND LOCAL EMERGENCIES AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Public Emergency Blended and
Flexible Leaming Act of 2020.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the state to 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 even in times of local or national calamity. Being unqualified, this
‘means that the this right shall not be derogated unless it is necessary under the circumstances.

Towards this end, equitable access to quality education shall continue to be made
available, even in times of local or national calamity, to all students and learners through means
that will not pose a risk to their life, health, safety, and security.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. Public Emergency refers to a declaration by the national or local Chief Executive due
tothe occurrence of natural or man-made calamity, including, but not limited to armed
conflict, imminent threat of an illness or health condition caused by bio-terrorism,
epidemic o pandemic disease, or a novel and highly fatal infectious agent or biological
toxin, that poses substantial risk of significant number of human lives resulting to
fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability;


b. Flexible Learning refers to a higher education student-centered, guided independent
study, making use of well-studied teaching and learning pedagogies to deliver well-
designed learning materials in various media.

©. Blended Learning refers to the designation of a range of learning possibilities in an
education program in which content and instruction are presented by combining online
distance learning, modular distance leaming, and television (TV) or radio-based
instruction with established classroom set up, or other learning platforms that may be
designed or created in the future.

Sec. 4. Use of Blended and Flexible Learning in Alll Institutions of Learning in Public
and Private Schools During Public Emergency. -To ensure the safety and continued access
of the students and leamers to quality education, all basic, technical-vocational and higher
education institutions are hereby mandated to adopt a suitable Blended and Flexible Leaming
system of education during a declared local or national emergency when physical presence of
students in school is determined to be unsafe.

Sec. 5. Blended and Flexible Learning Program Development. - The Department of
Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall initiate the development of the appropriate
Blended or Flexible Leaming system within their respective jurisdiction taking into consideration
the availabilty and sufficiency of school resources. Schools, under the supervision and guidance
of Regional Offices and Divisions, shall be authorized to decide on their specific learning delivery
modalities which they deem appropriate: Provided, That these are consistent with the standards
set by authorities. Technical and vocational institutions shall identify which course offering can be
redesigned for Blended Learning Modality in collaboration with TESDA Regional and Provincial
Offices. The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall provide effective modules and assessment tools
for Blended and Flexible Leaming. A flexible alternative grading system shall be adopted during
the school year when there is a declaration of local or national emergency as provided in this Act.

The DepEd, CHED or TESDA may tap the expertise of other industry players in digital
content production that can be used for teaching.

Sec. 6. Online or Modular Distance Learning. Prior to the conduct of an online class,
all teachers and faculty shall assess the information technology capacity of their students
including their access to personal computers, laptops, or gadgets and to the internet. Orientation
on utilization of alternative delivery modalities and corresponding leamers’ materials or modules
and psycho-social support activities shall be given. Schools shall also ensure the readiness of
parents and guardians in supporting learners while on remote learning at home setting.

Sec.7. Training of Teachers. ~The information technology (IT) literacy of teachers and
faculty and their access to computers and the intemet shall be assessed prior to the conduct of
online trainings. The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall provide the necessary training programs
for public and private school teachers and faculty in the development and delivery of the
curriculum content and instruction under the Blended and Flexible Leaming system.


Sec.8. Subsidized Data Rates for Access of Blended and Flexible Learning Materials
Published Online. — During the period of the declared local or national emergency, access to
websites where the Blended and Flexible Leaming materials are published or posted shall be
subsidized by the govemment or may be accessed free of charge.

Sec. 9. Face-to-face Interactions. - Face-to-face leaming shall only be allowed when
local risk severity permits and subject to standards and measures set by the local or national
authorities. A face-to-face class may have a reduced class size in compliance with the physical
distancing measures set by the authorities.

Sec. 10. TV and Radio-Based Instruction. - The Presidential Communications and
Operations Office (PCOO) and the goverment TV and radio stations under its supervision shall
provide block time for the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA to broadcast TV and radio based lectures,
instructions, or demonstrations in times of local or national emergencies especially in areas where
students and teacher/faculty cannot meet face to face due to the exigency of the situation and
online distance learning is not feasible. These broadcasts shall be supplemented by traditional
printed self-learning modules to be distributed to students.

Sec. 11. Other School Activities. — Conduct of curricular and co-curricular activities
involving gatherings such as science fairs, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival
of talents, and other similar activities shall be cancelled, if the declaration so requires, during
periods of local or national emergencies except those that will be conducted online.

Sec.12 Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the respective budgets of the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

Sec.13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Education, Chairperson of CHED and Director General of
TESDA, in consultation with the Department of Health, Department of Information and
Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PCOO, and
other concemed goverment agencies, shall formulate the rules and regulations implementing
the provisions of this Act.

Sec.14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shalll remain in force and effect.

Sec.15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, and rules and regulations contrary to, or
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec.16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,