Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Second Regular Session
17th Congress

6025

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Makmod D. Mending, Jr.
AMIN Party-list

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 2(1), Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution states that:
“Sec. 2. The State shall:

(1) _ Establish, maintain and support a complete,
adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the
needs of the people and society.”

Education is a basic right. The State provides free education for school-
aged children. However, due to armed conflicts, generalized violences,
violations of human rights or natural or man-made disasters, children, along
with their families, are forced to leave their place of habitat where they may
have been able to access education. These internally displaced child learners
experience disruption of their education and psycho-social trauma.

As of May 2017, the number of internally displaced persons (IDP) has
reached 218,665 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao alone.
Reports also show that schooling of at least 22,000 elementary and high schoo!
students are displaced in Marawi. There are other displaced child learners in
other areas across the country as well. Non-government organizations, in
coordination with the Department of Education, provide temporary learning
spaces and learners’ kits to children in evacuation centers but these programs
are not permanent.


This bill seeks to provide access to education for internally displaced
child learners. The proposed measure aims to bring the basic learning needs as
well as alternative learning systems for all internally displaced child learners. It
ensures the prompt resumption of educational services to child learners.

In order to give these displaced child learners a sense of normalcy, relief
and protection in time of displacement, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

MAKMOD D. MENDING, JR.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Second Regular Session
17th Congress

House sino, 6025

Introduced by Representative Makmod D. Mending, Jr.
AMIN Party-list

AN ACT
PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILD
LEARNERS 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 “Access to
Education in Time of Displacement Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to establish,
maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of
education relevant to the needs of the people and society. The State also
recognizes the need to protect the fundamental right of children to education
even in times of disaster, calamity, armed conflict and other emergency
situation. Towards this end, the State shall take appropriate measures to
provide education for internally displaced child learners.

SEC. 3. Access to Education for Displaced Child Learners. — All displaced
child learners shall receive basic education to meet the learning needs for
primary and secondary education as well as alternative learning system for

those with special needs.


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As used in this Act, internally displaced child learners refer to children
who were forced to leave their home or place where there may have been able
to access education in order to avoid the effects of armed conflicts,
generalized violences, violations of human rights or natural or man-made
disasters.

SEC. 4. Needs Assessment. - Whenever there is occurrence of internal
displacement of children that results to the interruption of the education of
child learners in the primary and secondary education, the Department of
Education (DepEd) shall conduct a needs assessment for the continuation of
the education of child learners and to assist and support their well-being
during the time of displacement.

SEC. 5. Internally Displaced Child Learners Educational Program. - The
DepEd, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development and the local government units, shall establish and implement an
educational program for internally displaced child learners with the following
objectives:

(a) Thorough assessment to obtain information, profile and school
mapping for the continuation of education of internally displaced child
learners;

(b) Provide safe and conducive areas or spaces for learning,
education and play activities as well as appropriate educational and play
materials;

(c) Prompt resumption of educational services; and

(d) Formulation and implementation of special curriculum to meet
the educational needs of the internally displaced child learners.

The DepEd shall determine the duration for the implementation of the

program.


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SEC. 6. Training of Qualified Teachers. — The DepEd shall provide a pool
of qualified teachers in every region who are specifically trained to cater to the
needs of child learners in time of displacement. The teachers shall have a
continuing education, training in child-centered and participatory teaching and
learning methodologies to systematically handle psychologically traumatized
children, psycho-social intervention and positive discipline.

SEC. 7. Division on Internal Displacement Education. - There shall be a
regular division in the DepEd to attend to the mandate herein stated. It shall
recommend to the Secretary of Education the approval of Internal
Displacement Education Preparedness and Response Plan on areas where
displacement occurs.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount of Fifty million pesos
(P50,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in
the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the mandate of
this Act. It shall be utilized in such manner and subject to such conditions and
limitations as may be prescribed by the Department of Budget and
Management. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the
Department of Education.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of
Education shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Social Welfare and
Development and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, issue
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,