SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAT.,E; 
S. No. 
1'133 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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A public school often serves as a center for the delivery of education and human 
resources for all members of a certain community. In line with this, there is a need for public 
schools, primarily in rural and urban city communities, to collaborate with other public and 
nonprofit agencies and organizations, local business, educational entities, recreational, cultural 
and other community and human service entities, to meet the needs and expand the opportunities 
available to residents ofthe communities served by such schools. 
By using school facilities, equipment, and resources, communities can promote a more 
efficient use of public education facilities, especially in rural and urban areas where limited 
financial resources have enhanced the necessity for local public schools to become social service 
centers. 
A high technology, global economy of the 21 st century will require lifelong learning to 
keep our workforce competitive and successful, and local public schools should be centers for 
lifelong learning and provide educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. 
This bill seeks the establishment of 21 st Cenlury Learning Centers to enable the entire 
community to develop an educational strategy that addresses the educational needs of all 
members oflocal communities.' 
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MIRIAM DEF~SOR SANTI;tO 
1JJII' 
. 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s.No.~433 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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AUG 29 P 4 57 
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TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THE 
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF MEMBERS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "21st Century Community 
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Learning Center's Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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develop an education strategy that addresses the educational needs of all members of local 
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communities. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Community Learning Center. - For purposes of this Act, the 
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term "community learning center" means an entity within a public elementary or secondary 
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school building that -
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(A) 
Provides educational, recreational, health, and social service programs for 
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residents of all ages within a local community; and 
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(B) 
Is operated by the Department of Education in conjunction with local government 
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agencies, businesses, institutions of higher education, and cultural, recreational, and other 
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community and human service entities. 
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SECTION 4. Program Authorization. -
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(A) 
Grant by the Secretary of Education. _. The Secretary is authorized, in accordance 
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with the provisions of this Act, to award grants to public elementary or secondary schools, or 


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consortia of such schools, to enable such schools or consortia to plan, implement, or to expand 
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projects that benefit the educational, health, social service, cultural, and recreational needs of 
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their community. 
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(B) 
Equitable Distribution. - In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall 
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ensure an equitable distribution of assistance among the local government units and among urban 
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and rural areas. 
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(C) 
Grant Period. - The Secretary shall award grants for a period not to exceed three 
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(3) years. 
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. SECTION 5. Application Period. - To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an 
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elementary or secondary school or consortia shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
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time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably 
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prescribe. Each application shall include-
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(A) 
A comprehensive local plan that enables the school or consortium to serve as 'I 
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center for (he delivery of education and human resources for members of a community; 
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(B) 
An evaluation of the needs, available resources, and goals and objectives for the 
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proposed project in order to determine which activities will be undertaken to address such needs; 
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and 
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(C) 
A description of the proposed projects, including-
(1) A description of the mechanism that will be used to disseminate information 
in a manner that is understandable and accessible to the community; 
(2) Identification of national and local programs to be merged or coordinated so 
that public resources may be maximized; 
(3) A description of the collaborative efforts to be undertaken by community-
based organizations, related public agencies, business, or other appropriate 
organizations; 
(4) A description of how the school or consortium will serve as a delivery center 
for existing and new services, especially for interactive telecommunications 
used for educatiop and professional training; and 
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(5) An assurance that the school or consortium will establish a facility utilization 
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policy that specifically states the rules and regulations applicable to building 
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an equipment use and supervision guidelines. 
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SECTION 6. Priority. - The Secretary shall give priority to applications describing 
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projects that offer broad selection of services which address the needs of the community. 
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SECTION 7. Use of Funds. - Grants awarded under this Act may be used to plan, 
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implement, or expand community learning centers which include not less than four (4) of the 
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following activities: 
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ages; 
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(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
(F) 
(G) 
(H) 
(I) 
(J) 
(K) 
(L) 
Literacy education programs; 
Senior citizen programs and services for individuals with disabilities; 
Children's day care services; 
Integrated education, health, social service, recreational, or cultural programs; 
Summer and weekend school programs in conjunction with recreational programs; 
Nutrition and health programs; 
Expanded library service hours to serve community needs; 
Telecommunications and technology education programs for individuals of all 
Parenting skills education programs; 
SuppOli and training for child day care providers; 
Employment counseling, training, and placement; and 
Services for out-of-school youth. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The anl0unt necessary to carry out the provision of this 
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Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated for every fiscal year. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the reminder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and sUbsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION I!. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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