FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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,JAN 29 i- .; ./..) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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;\5c'.i\jg,). ti'.{ : 
SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 14, Section 1, provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right of all 
citizens to equity education at all levels and shall take 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. 
The government's investment in a high quality education system is necessary not 
only for the future of our children and our families, but also for the future of the country. 
An educated citizenry and workforce are essential to compete in the global strong 
democracy. 
In order to promote prosperity and ensure individual opportunity, the government 
must make education a national priority. Strong leadership in education is needed more 
than ever. 
This bill seeks to provide grants to public educational institutions, in order to 
allow such institutions to promote certain educational initiatives that will enhance the 
quality of our public educational system. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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JAN 29 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. ;? 0 2 8 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING GRANTS TO PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER 
TO ALLOW SUCH INSTITUTIONS TO PROMOTE CERTAIN EDUCATION 
INITIATIVES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Education Initiatives 
Act of 2008.” 
SECTION 2. Program Authorized. - The Secretary of Education, referred to in 
this Act as the Secretary, is authorized to award grants to public educational institutions 
to institutions to promote the education initiatives described in Section 3. 
SECTION 3. Eligibility. - 
(A) APPLICATION - A public educational institution that desires to receive a 
grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such 
form as the Secretary may reasonably require. 
(B) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, a 
public educational institution shall demonstrate that such a school has developed each of 
the following initiatives: 
(1) CHARTER SCHOOL - A charter school program to allow parents 
greater choice in selecting the appropriate educational setting for their child. 
(2) EARLY READING PROGRAMS - An elementary reading program 
to ensure that all students can read by the third grade. 
(3) SAFE AND DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT - A program to provide 
a safe and drug-free environment at school. 
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(4) STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM - A locally developed 
standardized testing program to ensure that students are achieving at a high level. 
( 5 )  
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT 
PANELS - CUrriCUlUm 
development panels composed of teachers and parents to ensure that students 
learn the skills necessary to succeed. 
(6) INCREASED TEACHING STANDARDS - A program to improve or 
increase the standards for teachers to ensure teachers have the skills necessary to 
assist students effectively. 
(7) TEACHING EXCELLENCE - A program to ensure that the most 
qualified teachers are hired, including teachers with experience in the workplace. 
SECTION 4. Allocation of Funds. - A public educational institution that meets 
the eligibility criteria described in Section 3 shall receive, subject to the availability of 
appropriations, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. An 
institution that receives a grant award under this Act may use not more than five percent 
(5%) of such award for administrative expenses. 
SECTION 5. Accountubility. - Each public educational institution that receives a 
grant award under this Act shall submit a report annually to the Secretary that evaluates 
the effectiveness of the initiatives described under Section 3 and any change in parental 
involvement as a result o f  such programs. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder o€ the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or is incoiisistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or 
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amended accordingly. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) of its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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