Senate Bill No. 3 9 9 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 1 of Article 14 of the Constitution provides that, "The State shall 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and 
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." 
It is often said the education starts at home and the best teachers are our 
parents. This mantra highlights the two relevant aspects in the lives of each 
Filipino: (1) the importance of education not only in the individual development of 
the person but also in the development of our nation: and (2) the vital role of the 
family, especially the parents, in molding the minds of our youth. 
A key aspect of fundamental education is reading and early training in 
reading greatly helps a child in his school activities. For those who are not 
fortunate to reach or finish a level or degree in school, basic reading skills will 
definitely help them keep up with the demands of work or any endeavor they 
intend to pursue. 
This bill intends to establish mechanisms for parent-child reading activities 
and provide assistance to parents who devote time and effort to teach their 
children to read. The government, through the Department of Education, is 
mandated to award at least two (2) grants to non-profit organizations that have 
programs or activities that assist parents who help their children become 
successful readers. 
Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
-Senator 


INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO 
PARENTS WHO WANT TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN BECOME SUCCESSFUL 
READERS 
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 "Parents as 
First Teachers Challenge Grant Acf'. 
SEC 2. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to support effective and 
proven efforts that provide assistance to parents who want to help their children 
become successful readers by the end of the third grade. 
SEC 3. Definition. -As used in this Act - 
1. Eligible Child - means an individual eligible to attend pre-school, 
kindergarten or Is', 
2", or 3rd grade. 
2. Secretary - means the Secretary of Education 
SEC 4. 
Grants for national or regional networks. - The Secretary is 
authorized to award at least two (2) grants to non-profit community groups or 
organization or consortia thereof per region, to enable such groups, 
organizations or consortia to create successful programs or activities that help a 
parent: 
(1) be a good teacher to the eligible child; 
(2) assist the parent's eligible child in attaining reading skills while 
assisting the eligible child to learn to read 
SEC 5. Criteria for Grants for National or Regional Networks. - In order to 
receive a grant under Section 4, a group, organization, or consortium shall 
establish a training institute and comprehensive counseling program, where such 
group, organization or consortium will work with parents to improve their eligible 
children's reading. 


SEC 6. Applications. - 
(a) In General - Each entity desiring a grant under this Act shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. 
(b) Applications for Grants for National or Regional Networks - Each 
application submitted for a grant under Section 4 shall: 
(1) demonstrate the likelihood that the proposed program or activity will 
have a substantial regional or national impact; 
(2) demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed program or 
activity; and, 
(3) describe how the proposed program or activity will be coordinated 
with private sector programs and activities, and government 
programs and activities that provide support for parent's eligible 
children. 
(c) Applications for Grants for Successful Programs or Activities - Each 
application submitted under Subsection (a) for a grant under Section 4 (2) 
shall: 
(1) describe a program or activity that is capable of successful 
expansion or replication; 
(2) contain evidence of community support for the proposed program 
or activity from the private sector, a school, and another entity; 
(3) contain information demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of the 
proposed program or activity; and, 
(4) provide an assurance that the applicant will coordinate the 
proposed program or activity with government programs and 
activities that provide support for parents of eligible children. 
SEC 7. Authorization of Appropriations. - 
(a) Appropriations - To effectively carry out the purpose of this Act, the 
amount of Twenty Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000.00) for each fiscal 
year is hereby authorized to be included in the General Appropriations 
Act. 
(b) Entitlement - Subject to subsection (a), each entity receiving a grant 
under this Act for a fiscal year shall be entitled to payments for such 
year under the grant. 
SEC 8. Separability Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 


SEC 9. Effecfivify. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,