Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10583
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the state to support the basic education 
sector through appropriate technology and research, with adequate financial and 
other support services. 
The education system refocused mandate to basic education which covers 
elementary, secondary and nonformal education, including culture and sports. 
TESDA now administers the post-secondary, middle-level manpower training 
and development while CHED is responsible for higher education. 
In August 2001, Republic Act 9155, otherwise called the Governance of Basic 
Education Act, was passed transforming the name of the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to the Department of Education (DEPED) 
and redefining the role of field offices (regional offices, division offices, district 
offices and schools). 
it is hereby a declared policy of the state that every graduate of basic education 
shall be an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is 
rooted on sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the 
foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and 
be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global 
communities, the capability to engage in autonomous, creative, and critical 
thinking, and the capacity and willingness to transform others and one’s self. 
The state shall create a functional basic education system that will develop 
productive and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies, 
skills and values for both life-long learning and employment. In order to achieve 
this, the State shall: 
July 4, 2024
5:08 pm


(a) Give every student an opportunity to receive quality
education 
that 
is 
globally 
competitive 
based 
on 
a
pedagogically sound curriculum that is at par with
international standards;
(b) Broaden the goals of high school education for college
preparation, vocational and technical career opportunities as
well as creative arts, sports and entrepreneurial employment
in 
a 
rapidly 
changing 
and 
increasingly 
globalized
environment; and
(c) Make education learner-oriented and responsive to the
needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, the circumstances and
diversity of learners, schools and communities through the
appropriate languages of teaching and learning, including
mother tongue as a learning resource.
Basic Education, Basic education is intended to meet basic learning needs 
which provides the foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It 
encompasses kindergarten, elementary and secondary education as well as 
alternative learning systems for out-of-school learners and those with special 
needs. 
Enhanced Basic Education Program, the enhanced basic education program 
encompasses at least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6) years of 
elementary education, and six (6) years of secondary education, in that 
sequence. Secondary education includes four (4) years of junior high school and 
two (2) years of senior high school education. 
Kindergarten education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for 
children at least five (5) years old as a prerequisite for Grade I. 
Elementary education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education 
which is composed of six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically six 
(6) years old.
Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education. It 
consists of four (4) years of junior high school education and two (2) years of 
senior high school education. The entrant age to the junior and senior high 
school levels are typically twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively. 
Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners as 
the language plays a strategic role in shaping the formative years of learners. 
For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of elementary education, 
instruction, teaching materials and assessment shall be in the regional or native 


language of the learners. The Department of Education (DEPED) shall formulate 
a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6 so that Filipino 
and English shall be gradually introduced as languages of instruction until such 
time when these two (2) languages can become the primary languages of 
instruction at the secondary level. 
For this Act, a mother language or first Language (LI) refers to language or 
languages first learned by a child, which he/she identifies with, is identified as 
a native language user of by others, which he/she knows best, or uses most. 
This includes Filipino sign language used by individuals with pertinent 
disabilities. The regional or native language refers to the traditional speech 
variety or variety of Filipino sign language existing in a region, area or place. 
This House Bill also sets a manifestation to the freedom of education to be 
accorded due respect and be allowed to flourish. Thus, the creation of an 
Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum Program is therefore imperative. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.   


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10583 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
 PROVIDING FOR AN ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM PROGRAM, TO FOSTER AN ADEQUATE 
INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR ALL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 
Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum Act of 2024. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY — It is a declared policy of 
the state in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution, to promote an 
Enhanced Basic Education program for the republic. The state hereby 
recognizes the complementary roles of DEPED and its contributions to the entire 
country. 
Governance of basic education shall begin at the national level. It is in the 
regions, divisions, schools and learning centers. 


The state shall instill the policy and principle for the governance of basic 
education to be translated into programs, projects and services developed, 
adapted and offered to fit local needs. 
The state shall encourage local initiatives for improving the quality of basic 
education.  
The state shall ensure that the values, needs and aspirations of a school 
community are reflected in the program of basic education for the children, out-
of-school youth and adult learners. Schools and learning centers shall be 
empowered to make decisions on what is best for the learners they serve. 
The state shall protect basic, advance and post graduate education of citizens in 
the Philippines. Based on the Philippine Constitution. 
 For these purposes, the state shall provide the mechanisms to improve 
awareness and unity by maximizing the use of all existing resources. recognizing 
in the process the government’s responsibility to instill education as having 
priority over its other functions. 
SECTION 3. 
BASIC EDUCATION POLICY — it is hereby a declared 
the policy of the state that every graduate of basic education shall be an 
empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on 
sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for 
learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, 
the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the 
capability to engage in autonomous, creative, and critical thinking, and the 
capacity and willingness to transform others and one’s self. 
SECTION 
4. 
BASIC EDUCATION POLICY FRAMEWORK – the state 
shall create a functional basic education system that will develop productive and 
responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies, skills and values 


for both life-long learning and employment. In order to achieve this, the state 
shall: 
(a) Give every student an opportunity to receive quality 
education 
that 
is 
globally 
competitive 
based 
on 
a 
pedagogically sound curriculum that is at par with 
international standards; 
(b) Broaden the goals of high school education for college 
preparation, vocational and technical career opportunities as 
well as creative arts, sports and entrepreneurial employment 
in 
a 
rapidly 
changing 
and 
increasingly 
globalized 
environment; and 
(c) Make education learner-oriented and responsive to the 
needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, the circumstances and 
diversity of learners, schools and communities through the 
appropriate languages of teaching and learning, including 
mother tongue as a learning resource. 
SECTION 
5. 
ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY STRUCTURE: 
A. To carry out its mandates and objectives, DEPED is 
organized into two major structural components.  
B. The Central Office maintains the overall administration of 
basic education at the national level.  
The Field Offices are responsible for the regional and local coordination 
and administration of the Department’s mandate. RA 9155 provides that the 
Department should have no more than four (4) Undersecretaries and 
four (4) Assistant Secretaries with at least one Undersecretary and one Assistant 
Secretary who are career service officers chosen among the staff of the 
Department. 


SECTION 
6. 
EDUCATION POLICY ADVISORY - derived from 
monitoring government's compliance with the prevailing obligations that the 
Republic of the Philippines has acceded to. 
SECTION 
7. 
BASIC EDUCATION - Basic education is intended to 
meet basic learning needs which provides the foundation on which subsequent 
learning can be based. It encompasses kindergarten, elementary and secondary 
education as well as alternative learning systems for out-of-school learners and 
those with special needs. 
SECTION 8. 
ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM - the 
enhanced basic education program encompasses at least one (1) year of 
kindergarten education, six (6) years of elementary education, and six (6) years 
of secondary education, in that sequence. Secondary education includes four (4) 
years of junior high school and two (2) years of senior high school education. 
Kindergarten education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for 
children at least five (5) years old as a prerequisite for Grade I. 
Elementary education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education 
which is composed of six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically six 
(6) years old. 
Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education. It 
consists of four (4) years of junior high school education and two (2) years of 
senior high school education. The entrant age to the junior and senior high 
school levels are typically twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively. 
Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners as 
the language plays a strategic role in shaping the formative years of learners. 
For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of elementary education, 
instruction, teaching materials and assessment shall be in the regional or native 


language of the learners. The Department of Education (DEPED) shall formulate 
a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6 so that Filipino 
and English shall be gradually introduced as languages of instruction until such 
time when these two (2) languages can become the primary languages of 
instruction at the secondary level. 
SECTION 
9. 
ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM 
PROGRAM FUND – The amount of Two Billion Pesos (Php 2, 000,000,000.00) 
for the operation and administration of the program shall be chargeable 
against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM).  
Thereafter, appropriations for the program, shall be included in the 
DEPED budget proposals under the annual General Appropriations Act 
(GAA) 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the 
existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the (DEPED) in 
accordance with the prevailing provisions and relevant compensation and 
position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
The DEPED Secretary shall include in the Department’s program the 
operationalization of the enhanced basic education program, the initial funding 
of which shall be charged against the current appropriations of DEPED.  
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of the 
enhanced basic education program shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA). 


SECTION 
10. 
EXCLUSIVE FUND – There is hereby created the 
exclusive fund to be used exclusively for the Enhanced Basic Education 
Curriculum Program. 
The Fund shall be administered by the DEPED Secretary in accordance with 
existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
11. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of (DEPED) shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the Program 
which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President. 
SECTION 
12. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The (DEPED) shall 
maintain a sufficient staffing pattern.  
Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required 
and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of 
committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
13. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of three (3) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the (DEPED) shall continue to develop, modernize and 
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global 
practices. 
SECTION 
14. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — 
the DEPED, shall provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to 
ensure effective operations and build-up. 


SECTION 
15. 
Preservation of the Basic Education System. - It is 
the duty of every citizen to preserve and conserve the Filipino education system 
and all its resources. The retrieval and conservation of Filipino education and 
its history shall be vigorously pursued. 
SECTION 
16. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
The DEPED, the CHED and the TESDA shall formulate the appropriate 
strategies and mechanisms needed to ensure smooth transition from the existing 
basic education cycle to the enhanced basic education cycle.  
The strategies may cover changes in physical infrastructure, manpower, 
organizational and structural concerns, bridging models, competencies and the 
entry requirements of new tertiary curricula, and partnerships between the 
government and other entities. Modeling for senior high school may be 
implemented in selected schools to simulate the transition process and provide 
concrete data for the transition plan. 
SECTION 17. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Secretary of (DEPED) shall 
submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on actions 
to be taken by the Office of the President and other appropriate departments, 
in order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act. 
SECTION 
18. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the education sector and shall make recommendations, based on 
its findings. 


SECTION 
19. 
PENAL CLAUSE. – Any person, whether natural or 
juridical, violating any section of this Act shall, upon conviction, therefore, be 
liable to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or 
imprisonment for a term not less than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of 
the court for each and every violation.  
In case the violation is committed by a corporation or an association, the 
penalty shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other officer 
responsible for such violation. 
SECTION 
20. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
after the effectivity of this Act, the DEPED Secretary, the CHED 
Chairperson and the TESDA Director-General shall promulgate the rules and 
regulations needed for the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 
21. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or the “Education Act of 
1982”, Republic Act No. 9155 or the “Governance of Basic Education. 
Act of 2001; Republic Act No. 9258, Republic Act No. 7836, and all other 
laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 


SECTION 
22. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
23. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier.
Approved,