THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As a policy, the State recognizes the need to help shape the Filipino character 
and identity of younger generations of Filipinos overseas. By exposing them to 
Philippine history, culture and heritage, they would be able to imbibe the knowledge 
and values that Filipinos are recognized for. 
While there are some community schools for Filipino children in some Middle 
East countries which are officially operated by Philippine Embassies, these are not 
enough and are inadequately managed. 
This proposal mandates the government to encourage and provide incentives 
and support to Filipino individuals or private associations desiring to establish and 
operate Philippine community schools abroad, as well as those who are presently 
operating such type of schools. The schools to be established shall offer formal courses 
of instruction in the elementary and secondary levels. 
For the implementation of this measure, the Department of Education is tasked 
to promulgate guidelines on the establishment of the said institutions and to provide 
professional, technical and administrative support services as may be requested by 
schools. The Department of Foreign Affairs shall generate interest and conduct an 
intensive campaign to encourage the establishment of the said schools. The 
Department of Labor and Employment shall assist in the conceptualizafion m d  
implementation of income-generating community activities and projects of overseas 
Filipinos to support school operations. 
In light of the foregoing considerations, approval of this measure is earnestly 
recommended. 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
n 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILL4@, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE FILIPINO EDUCATION AND HERITAGE THROUGH THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF PHILIPPINE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ABROAD FOR 
CHILDREN OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS AND OTHER OVERSEAS FILIPINOS 
.; ur 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Filipino Education and 
Heritage Program Act of 2004." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to develop and 
promote the provision of critical education needs, as well as the continued exposure of 
younger generations of Filipinos living abroad, to Philippine history, culture, art and 
music in order to keep them from being alienated from their native country. The State 
recognizes the need to provide formal and non-formal education at the elementary and 
secondary levels aimed at providing children of Filipino migrant workers and other 
overseas Filipinos the necessary knowledge, values and training that would help shape 
their Filipino character. 
In the implementation of the above-stated policy, the government shall 
encourage and provide well-coordinated support and assistance to individuals or 
private associations desiring to establish and operate Philippine Community Schools 
abroad, as well as those who have heretofore been operating and maintaining such 
type of schools. 
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SECTION 3. Establishment of Philippine Community SchooZs. - The Philippine 
Community Schools to be established abroad pursuant to this Act shall primarily 
provide courses of instruction in the elementary and secondary levels in accordance 
with the following guidelines and such other additional guidelines as may be 
promulgated by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) under 
Section 4 hereof 
a. 
The community schools shall be established and operated as private 
juridical entities by Filipino individuals or private associations. In the 
case of Philippine schools abroad which are presently officially operated 
by Philippine Embassies, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall 


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take the necessary steps to organize and operate these schools as a 
separate juridical entity from that of the Philippine Mission pursuant to 
the provisions of this Act; 
Permits for the establishment and operation of such schools shall be 
secured from the DECS, through the Chief of the Philippine Mission 
abroad and supported by requirements as provided in pertinent DECS 
issuances. A similar permit or authority shall also be secured from the 
host government; 
In instances where the host government requires ownership and control 
over these schools by the Philippine Government, the Chief of Mission 
shall propose alternative arrangements for the establishment and 
operation of the same to the DECS, through the DFA home office; 
A governing board, consisting of private Filipino individuals, shall be 
established in each school to formulate policies and to manage its 
operations; and 
No spouse or relative of officers or staff of Philippine Missions abroad may 
be involved in the administration or management of these community 
schools. 
b. 
c. 
d. 
e. 
SECTION 4. Responsibilities of Government Departments and Agencies 
Concerned. In order to have a close cooperation and coordination in the carrying out of 
the objectives of this Act, the departments and agencies concerned shall have the 
following functions and responsibilities: 
A. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) shall: 
1. Review and promulgate 
necessary guidelines 
governing the 
establishment and operation of Philippine community schools abroad and 
prescribe guidelines for each school in maintaining its academic standards; 
2. 
Establish qualification standards in the selection, recruitment, 
appointment and promotion of school personnel; 
3. 
Develop guidelines for the supervision of school personnel and 
administration of disciplinary standards and procedures; 
4. Evaluate the performance of Philippine community schools abroad and 
recommend changes, whenever necessary, to improve the overall efficiency of 
the school concerned; 
5. 
Develop a standard performance appraisal and reporting system 
on the operation of these schools abroad; and 
6. 
Provide professional, 
technical 
and administrative 
support 
services as may be requested by the said schools abroad. 


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B. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall: 
1. Conduct an intensive campaign to encourage the establishment of 
Philippine community schools abroad, particularly in countries where there are 
large Filipino population, whether migrant workers or permanent residents and 
to disseminate the policies and guidelines promulgated by the DECS governing 
the establishment and operation of such schools abroad; 
2. Accept applications to establish and operate Philippine community 
schools abroad and endorse the same to the DECS for accreditation and/or 
recognition; 
3. In cooperation with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), 
assist the DECS in monitoring and determining the level of compliance by the 
schools on the guidelines prescribed by DECS to ensure effective and efficient 
management and operation of schools abroad; 
4. 
Provide assistance to the said schools abroad by way of 
representing these schools before authorities of the host countries as may be 
required and in facilitating observance of 'compliance 'with relevant' local 
requirements in the establishment and operation of such schools 
5. Provide advice, in cooperation with the CFO, to the various school 
boards whenever necessary, or when requested, to ensure effective and efficient 
operation of Philippine community schools; and 
6. 
Provide, whenever feasible, facilities for the school in the premises 
of Philippine Missions abroad. 
C. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall: 
1. Assist the DFA and DECS in disseminating the policies and guidelines 
on the establishment and operation of Philippine community school abroad; 
2. Generate interest among Filipino communities abroad in the 
establishment and operation of these schools at overseas duty stations and 
provide assistance as may be needed in the process of establishment; 
3. Provide technical assistance in the preparation and evaluation of 
feasibility studies for the establishment of these schools abroad; 
4. 
Assist 
in 
the 
conceptualization 
and 
implementation 
of 
income-generating community projects and activities of overseas Filipinos to 
support school operations; 
5. Provide, whenever possible, facilities for the school within the premises 
of Filipino Workers Development Centers during the formative stages of the 
school; 


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6. Assist in the hiring and deployment of teachers, instructors, principals 
and other personnel, as well as in the procurement of instructional materials 
and other items needed by the schools abroad; and 
7. Extend modest loan packages or subsidies thru the Overseas Workers 
Welfare Administration (OWWA), for school projects/requirements, subject to 
OWWA Board policies and program thrusts. 
The above-mentioned Departments may constitute an Inter-Agency Committee 
or Task Force as it may deem appropriate for the effective discharge of its functions 
under this Act. 
SECTION 5. Submission of Reports. - The Philippine Community Schools abroad 
shall submit periodic reports to the DECS as are required, with copies furnished the 
Philippine Mission in the country where the school is located. 
SECTION 6. Day-care Centers. - Day-care centers or units shall, whenever 
feasible, also be provided within the premises of the Philippine Community Schools 
abroad to look after the small children of working Filipino mothers residing 
temporarily or permanently abroad. 
SECTION 7. Appropriation. - For the initial implementation of this Act, the sum 
of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from available savings 
in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, the amounts 
necessary shall be included in the respective budgets in the General Appropriations 
Act of the government departments charged with the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, executive order, 
rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or mended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,