TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JIJL -9 PA :15
SENATE
s. No. 315
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
RENAMING THE LITERACY COORDINATING COUNCIL TO NATIONAL 
LITERACY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT MECHANISMS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7165, AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The literacy landscape in the Philippines has undergone significant 
advancements over the years, resulting in commendable achievements in achieving a 
high literacy rate. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, of the country's total 
97.6 million household population, 97 percent, or 94.63 million individuals, were found 
to be literate. This is a 1.2 percentage point increase compared to the 95.8 percent 
literacy rate in 2015.
However, recent findings from the World Bank report have brought to light a 
concerning issue that demands immediate attention. Despite the impressive overall 
literacy rate, it has been observed that nine out of ten students in the country struggle 
to read simple texts effectively. In the June 2022 Philippines Learning Poverty Brief, 
the World Bank found that 91% of children in the Philippines at late primary age today 
are not proficient in reading. This revelation underscores the need for a 
comprehensive and strategic approach to address the challenges that persist within 
the educational system.
In light of the said concern, this bill seeks to convert the existing Literacy 
Coordinating Council into the National Literacy Council, with an expanded mandate


and enhanced resources to confront the pressing issues facing literacy in the 
Philippines. The conversion aims to foster a more focused, dynamic, and responsive 
national body dedicated to promoting literacy and ensuring that every Filipino, 
irrespective of age or background, possesses the essential reading and comprehension 
skills vital for personal development and national progress.
High literacy rates are crucial for the holistic development of individuals and the 
nation as a whole. Literacy is not merely the ability to read and write; it is the 
foundation upon which critical thinking, problem-solving, and continuous learning are 
built. The ability to comprehend and analyze information is paramount in today's 
rapidly evolving global landscape. A well-literate populace is better equipped to 
navigate the challenges of the modern world, contribute to economic growth, and 
participate meaningfully in civic activities.
As we position ourselves in the international arena, it is imperative that our 
citizens are equipped with the skills necessary to continuously acquire information, 
adapt to new technologies, and engage in lifelong learning. The global 
competitiveness of a nation is intricately linked to the literacy levels of its population. 
By investing in the development of high literacy rates, we are investing in the future 
success and competitiveness of the Philippines on the world stage.
This bill represents a proactive step in addressing the identified challenges and 
ensuring that our educational system remains responsive to the evolving needs of our 
society. By prioritizing literacy and committing resources to its advancement, we are 
not only securing a brighter future for our citizens but also fortifying the foundation 
upon which the nation's progress and prosperity stand.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
lANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JUL -9
S. No.
SENATE
315
PA :15
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
RENAMING THE LITERACY COORDINATING COUNCIL TO NATIONAL
3 
LITERACY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
4 
EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT MECHANISMS,
5 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
6 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7165, AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Literacy
8 Council Act'
9 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 17 of the
10 
Constitution, it is the declared policy of the State to give priority to education to foster
11 
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
12 
liberation and development. Article XIV, Section 2(4) of the Constitution likewise
13 
mandates the State to encourage non- formal, informal, and indigenous learning
14 
systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs
15 
particularly those that respond to community needs. To this end the State shall give
16 
priority to the adoption of measures for the universalization of literacy.
17 
SEC. 3. Renaming of the Literacy Coordinating Council. -The nomenclature of
18 
the Literacy Coordinating Council, established pursuant to Republic Act No. 7165, as
19 
amended entitled "An Act Creating the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining Its
20 
Powers and Factions Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes," is hereby


1 
changed to National Literacy Council, hereinafter referred to in this Act as the
2 
"Council'".
3 
The Council shall serve as the lead inter-agency coordinating and advisory body
4 
to the various agencies of the national government, the local government units
5 
(LGUs), and the private sector, on matters pertaining to the formulation of policies
6 
and the adoption and implementation of measures for the universalization of literacy.
7 
The Council shaft be attached solely for budgetary coordination related purposes to
8 
the Department of Education (DepEd).
9 
SEC.4. Composition. -The Council shall be composed of the following members:
10 
a) Secretary of the DepEd, as Chairperson, who may designate an undersecretary
11 
as permanent representative;
12 
b) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as
13 
co-Chairperson, who may designate an undersecretary as permanent
14 
representative;
15 
c) Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority, or a duly
16 
designated permanent representative;
17 
d) Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,
18 
or a duly designated permanent representative;
19 
e) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, or a duly designated
20 
permanent representative;
21 
f) Director General of the Philippine Information Agency, or a duly designated
22 
permanent representative;
23 
g) President of the Philippine Normal University, or a duly designated permanent
24 
representative;
25 
h) National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics
26 
Authority (PSA), or a duly designated permanent representative;


i) Director of Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) of the DepEd;
2 
j) A representative from the non-government organizations (NGOs), who is a
3 
citizen of the Philippines with a demonstrated personal or professional
4 
commitment and advocacy in the propagation of literacy; and
5 
k) A representative from the associations of private educational institutions, who
6 
is a citizen of the Philippines with a demonstrated personal or professional
7 
commitment and advocacy in the propagation of literacy.
8 
The Council shall approve and confirm the appointment of the representative
9 
from the NGOs and the representative from the associations of private educational
10 
institutions through the adoption of a resolution. Such representatives shall serve for
11 
a term of three (3) years and may be reappointed only once for another three (3)
12 
years on the basis of merit and performance.
13 
SEC. 5. Meetings. -The Council shall conduct its regular meetings quarterly at
14 
any agreed location within the Philippines and may hold special meetings to consider
15 
urgent matters upon the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members. A
16 
majority of all its incumbent members shall constitute a quorum, the presence of which
17 
is necessary to transact business.
18 
A meeting may be conducted virtually only in circumstances when meeting in
19 
person is impossible or impractical and all the Council members are able to
20 
communicate adequately during the meeting.
21 
Members of the Council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled
22 
to 20 appropriate honoraria for attendance in meetings as well as appropriate
23 
allowances and reimbursement of expenses related to their participation in the official
24 
activities of the Council, in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
25 
The duly designated representatives to the Council shall be afforded equal
26 
opportunity to participate in the meetings of the Council and shall be allowed to vote
27 
on any matter in the agenda of the Council. Likewise, they shall be afforded, whenever


1 
necessary, reimbursement of any actual expense incurred during Council-related
2 
functions and duties, subject to the provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations.
3 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. -The Council shall be vested with the following
4 
powers and functions:
5 
a) Act as the lead advisory and coordinating body of the government and initiate,
6 
promote and recommend the adoption of policy and program directions for all
7 
literacy endeavors in the country;
8 
b) Evaluate the literacy situation in the country, propose ways and means for
9 
expanding educational opportunities to citizens of varied socio-economic
10 
origins, and adopt modem communications and educational technology and
11 
other innovative modes of transmitting knowledge to support literacy
12 
endeavors at the national and local levels;
13 
c) Support and assist the BAE on matters concerning community mapping
14 
activities for the maintenance of a centralized database for out-of-school
15 
children and adults, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and
16 
other marginalized and vulnerable members of society, who may not have
17 
availed of or completed their basic education and who may need intervention
18 
and support;
19 
d) Strengthen support structures identified as literacy advocates of LGUs in the
20 
city, municipal, and barangay levels, by adopting strategies that maximize
21 
private sector support for, cooperation, and involvement in literacy
22 
development programs, projects, and related activities;
23 
e) Promote and support initiatives for the conduct of research studies and similar
24 
undertakings aimed at enhancing and strengthening the crafting of relevant
25 
and timely policy recommendations, and for the effective implementation of
26 
literacy- related programs, projects, and other activities;


1 
f) Organize periodic assemblies, such as literacy conferences and giving of awards
2 
to increase awareness on and help strengthen good literacy practices, and
3 
engage close partnerships with literacy advocates throughout the country;
4 
g) Establish the organizational structure of the Council secretariat and determine
5 
the secretariat's staffing pattern, qualifications, duties and responsibilities, and
6 
other administrative policies including, among others, those pertaining to hiring
7 
and promotion, subject to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Budget
8 
and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission;
9 
h) Prepare an annual budget proposal and ensure that the allotted annual
10 
appropriation shall be spent in accordance with the purposes as specified in the
11 
General Appropriations Act;
12 
i) Formulate necessary guidelines for business continuity, disaster recovery and
13 
backup capabilities and facilities to ensure continued operation and delivery of
14 
services in times of public health emergency, occurrence of calamity, and any
15 
other threat that requires public safety and protection; and
16 
j) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in furtherance of the
17 
purposes of this Act.
18 
SEC. 7. The Secretariat. - The secretariat shall be headed by an Executive
19 
Director, who shall assist the Council in the performance of its functions.
20 
The salaries of the Executive Director and other officers and employees of the
21 
Council secretariat shall be in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position
22 
Classification System and other existing laws.
23 
The existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the secretariat shall
24 
be revised so as to integrate appropriately the provisions of this Act subject to the
25 
review and approval by the DBM: Provided, That no officer or employee of the existing
26 
secretariat shall be removed from the service except for a valid cause, in accordance
27 
with Republic Act No. 6656, entitled "An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil


1 
Service Officers and Employees in the Implementation of Government
2 
Reorganization".
3 
SEC. 8. Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretariat - In the performance of
4 
its duties and responsibilities, the Council secretariat shall:
5 
a) Provide administrative and technical support and assistance to the Council,
6 
including the preparation of policy recommendations, plans and programs, and
7 
other Council priorities and measures necessary for the advancement of basic
8 
and functional literacy, and other basic capabilities of out-of-school children
9 
and adults, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other
10 
marginalized and vulnerable members of society, who may not have availed of
11 
or completed their basic education and who may need intervention and
12 
support;
13 
b) Consult and coordinate with national government agencies, LGUs, NGOs,
14 
academic institutions, and other stakeholders on matters relating to the
15 
functions of the Council and on other matters pertaining to the propagation of
16 
literacy endeavors;
17 
c) Provide technical assistance to the implementers of the programs and projects
18 
on literacy;
19 
d) Initiate, organize, and promote the conduct of research activities, workshops,
20 
conferences, national literacy awards and the like, subject to the approval of
21 
the Council;
22 
e) Set up, maintain, and update a management information system on literacy
23 
programs and projects, policies, best practices, research studies, statistical data
24 
and other relevant information relative to the literacy situation in the country;
25 
f) Coordinate with the PSA in the conduct of the Functional Literacy, Education
26 
and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) for purposes of providing a quantitative
27 
framework that shall serve as one of the bases in the formulation of policies


1 
and programs on the improvement of literacy and education status in the
2 
country;
3 
g) Recommend programs, projects, and other activities to be included for funding
4 
in the annual budget proposal of the Council, including support services in the
5 
preparation of the Council's annual budget proposal; and
6 
h) Perform other tasks as may be directed by the Council.
7 
SEC. 9. Collaboration and Linkages with the BAJS. —The Council shall closely
8 
coordinate with the BAE concerning the management of Alternative Learning System
9 
(ALS) programs, projects and other activities, especially those that are geared towards
10 
the universalization of literacy, particularly among out-of-school children and adults,
11 
including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized and
12 
vulnerable members of society. It shall also collaborate with the BAE on matters
13 
pertaining to literacy concerns for policy formulation, knowledge management,
14 
advocacy, social mobilization, and partnerships, among others.
15 
SEC. 10. Establishment of Local Literacy Councils. —The Council shall promote
16 
the establishment of Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) as support structures at the city,
17 
municipal, and barangay levels, which shall serve as the coordinating and advisory
18 
body at the local level on matters pertaining to the adoption and implementation of
19 
community-based measures for the propagation of literacy.
20 
The LLCs shall work with the LGUs in the implementation of literacy programs
21 
and endeavors at the local level, including the identification of priority literacy
22 
programs, provision of technical assistance to literacy volunteer workers, program
23 
monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with government and non-government
24 
partners for program support activities.
25 
The LLCs shall closely coordinate, support and assist the BAE to ensure the
26 
implementation of community literacy mapping activities within the local level. The
27 
Council shall, upon consultation with the DILG and DepEd, issue the general guidelines
28 
for the establishment, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of LLCs.


1 
An LGU may, motu proprio or upon the recommendation of the Council,
2 
establish its LLC within its jurisdiction in accordance with the guidelines set forth by
3 
the Council.
4 
SEC. 11. National Literacy Awards. - The Council shall organize the National
5 
Literacy Awards for the purpose of recognizing, commending, and awarding deserving
6 
LCDs and NGOs for implementing outstanding literacy programs in their respective
7 
jurisdictions within the country.
8 
The National Literacy Awards shall be held once every two (2) years and shall
9 
encourage the participation of all literacy advocates and stakeholders nationwide. The
10 
event shall serve as the venue to exhibit, discover, share, and help strengthen good
11 
literacy practices and thus engage partnerships with various literacy advocates and
12 
stakeholders.
13 
The Council shall formulate the guidelines on the conduct of the National
14 
Literacy Awards, including the criteria for the creation of a board of judges per
15 
category and the selection of winners.
16 
The board of judges for each category shall be chosen from a panel of experts
17 
in the field of literacy and education.
18 
SEC. 12. Subsidy for Qualified Outstanding Literacy Programs; Outstanding
19 
Individual Awards. -The Council shall award appropriate financial subsidies to the top
20 
awardees of the Search for Outstanding Literacy Programs for both LGU and NGO
21 
categories to find their chosen literacy programs in their respective localities: Provided,
22 
That the NGO awardees are non-stock, non-profit, and established for educational
23 
purposes. The Council shall formulate and issue guidelines on the release of this
24 
financial subsidy including the amount of the award, period and frequency of release
25 
of such amounts to the awardees, and conditions or qualifications for entitlement
26 
thereto. The amounts of the financial subsidy to qualified awardees may be subject to
27 
periodic adjustments, as deemed necessary by the Council.
28 
The Council shall also designate awardees for the Outstanding Individual
29 
Literacy Workers and Outstanding ALS Mobile Teachers whose qualifications for
8


1 
entitlement to a financial award and the amount thereof shall be included in the
2 
guidelines.
3 
SEC. 13. Assistance from Special Education Fund. - Notwithstanding the
4 
provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code
5 
of 1991", as amended, the LGUs may be authorized to use a portion of the Special
6 
Education Fund to augment the funds appropriated by the LGUs for the purpose of
7 
implementing literacy-related programs and activities at the local level.
8 
SEC. 14. Annual Report. —The Council shall submit to the Senate Committee
9 
on Basic Education, Arts and Culture and the House of Representatives' Committee on
10 
Basic Education and Culture a detailed annual report which shall include its
11 
accomplishments, programs and projects, and policy recommendations and, if
12 
necessary, propose legislation for universalization and continuing improvement of
13 
literacy rate and numeracy skills of learners.
14 
SEC. 15. Appropriations. — The initial amount for the implementation of this
15 
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations for the DepEd.
16 
Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
17 
Act.
18 
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred twenty
19 
(120) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Council shall, in
20 
consultation with the Council members and other stakeholders concerned, promulgate
21 
the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
22 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
23 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
24 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. —Republic Act No. 7165, entitled, "An Act Creating
25 
the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating
26 
Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes," as amended by Republic Act No. 10122,
27 
entitled, "An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating Council by Amending
28 
Republic Act No. 7165, Otherwise Known as 'An Act Creating the Literacy Coordinating


1 
Council, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for
2 
Other Purposes"," is hereby repealed.
3 
All other laws, decrees, orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or
4 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
5 
accordingly.
6 
SEC. 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
7 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
8
Approved,
10