Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8749

Introduced by REP. FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education is key to upward social mobility and active citizenship to enhance democracy.
Accordingly, the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to give priority to education “to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.”' As such, the State shall promote universal access to quality and relevant
education in the school system and through non-formal, informal and indigenous learning
systems, with emphasis for vocational and civic education for adult citizens, persons with
disabilities, and out-of-school youth.”

This comprehensive and integrated education system falls within the framework of education
policy promoted by the United Nations. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
specifically Sustainable Development Goal 4, calls for policies, programs and partnerships to
ensure inclusive, equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for
all.

SDG 4 signals the culmination of the long and arduous debate on the concepts of education
and learning. The landmark 1972 UNESCO report Learning to Be by Edgar Faure and the 1996
Delors Report Learning: Treasure Within recognized that education should be universal and
lifelong. However, the notion of education as a normative process that always involves a
teacher and a learner remained the dominant discourse for decades.”

The UNESCO Education for All (EFA) global initiative that ran from 1990 to 2015, for
example, endorsed this view. The EFA’s focus on primary education of children and adherence
to the centrality of formal education proscribed reforms that could have promoted adult and
informal education.’

SDG 4 frames the discourse on education reform within the philosophy of lifelong learning
which recognizes that learning is a continuum, that learning takes place throughout life and
everywhere, beyond the confines of the classroom, enabled by multiple modes and media.
Lifelong learning sees school-based instruction and real-life experience as complementary

Section 17, Article I
2 Sec. 2, Article XIV
> Quane, A. (2011). Evolution of and perspectives on ifelong learning. In J. Yang and R. Valdes-Cortera (Eds.),
Conesptva evolution and poly development in itlongleaming. Hamburg: UNESCO insite fr Lietong
‘earning.
“Torres, R. M. (2011). Lifelong learning: moving beyond Education for All. n J. Yang and R. Valdes-Cortera
(€ds.), Conceptual evolution and policy developments in ifelong learning. Hamburg: UNESCO Institute for
Lifelong Learning.


tools that empower individuals with knowledge and skills to meet the demands of life. Lifelong
learning cultivates knowledge, skills and values, and thus facilitates not just intellectual or
physical development, but also spiritual, moral, and artistic development. The right
interventions along the learning process could transform individuals to become agents of
sustainable development, social inclusion and democratic consolidation.

The Philippines has been adapting its education system to diversify leaning settings and
sources for all types of students. We have a strong technical-vocational education and training
(TVET) program under Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and an
Alternative Learning System (ALS) under the Department of Education. The Commission on
Higher Education has also been promoting Open and Distance Learning for those aiming for a
college degree.

The need to adopt different learning modalities becomes more urgent as we deal with the
COVID-19 pandemic that forces us to suspend physical classes or institutionalized educational
activities. Information and communication technology (ICT) or digital technology is an
indispensable tool to support out-of-school learning. Enabling remote access from their homes
or communities to learning materials through digital technology, and creating learning
opportunities in their neighborhoods will help minimize contact of students to carriers of the
coronavirus outdoors.

Building the necessary infrastructure to support lifelong learning, in the convenience of our
home or in its close vicinity, becomes an urgent and necessary task for the Government.

Public libraries could very well provide the materials and technology to enable out-of-school
learning. Republic Act No. 7743, enacted in 1989, had envisioned this. The law mandated the
establishment of public libraries to serve legislative districts, cities and municipalities, as well
as reading centers in every barangay. However, according to the National Library of the
Philippines, by 2019, there are only 433 public libraries/reading centers throughout the country,
or a measly 3% accomplishment of the target under RA No. 7743. a

There is therefore a glaring need to establish more learning centers in communities that will
provide the public access to print and audio-visual learning materials, These learning centers
will also be equipped with digital devices and reliable Internet connection and give students,
who do not have or have limited access to the Internet in their homes, free access to digital
earning tools and materials. It will help bridge the digital divide and democratize access to
information and online learning. These community learning centers may also serve as a venue
for ALS and TVET classes, exhibits, seminars, workshops, and small-group discussions.

‘Community learning centers make information available to all learners of all ages and all walks
of life and cultivate lifelong learning. They will not be only repository of knowledge and fertile
grounds for learning, but also a laboratory of ideas and a vehicle for social cohesion, sustainable
development and democratic citizenship.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOSE PKANCISCO “KIKO” §. BENITEZ, Ph.D.

* Macapagal, J. (2019). Status of Philippine Public Libraries and Librarianship. Manila: National Library of the
Philippines.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6749
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.

AN ACT
PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING, PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Lifelong Learning Act of 2020.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to give priority to
education to foster human development. Accordingly, the State shall take appropriate steps to
make quality education accessible to all, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, culture, religion or
ability. Towards this end, the State shall establish and maintain a comprehensive, integrated,
holistic and inclusive system of education to support lifelong learning. The State shall harness
different learning modalities and promote learning opportunities in all settings and throughout
life to equip individuals with knowledge, skills and values to cultivate civic responsibility and
adapt to the demands of changing economic and social conditions.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:

) Lifelong learning refers to a philosophy that recognizes that learning is a continuum
and not confined to a particular period in life and the school system but takes place
everywhere, at all stages of life, “from cradle to grave.” As a conceptual framework
and organizing principle for educational policy, lifelong learning encompasses all
modes of education, from formal to non-formal to informal learning, and rests on the
diversity and flexibility of learning settings (home, community, workplace, school,
leisure, and so on) and media (books, television, computers, web applications, games,
and so on).

b) Blended learning refers to the deliberate combination of online learning with face-to-
face classroom-based learning.

) Distance learning refers to a mode of learning in which students and teachers are
physically separated from each other. It is student-centered, guided independent study,
making use of well-studied teaching and learning pedagogies to deliver well-designed
learning materials in various media.

d) Open learning refers to a philosophy of learning that is based on flexibility of access
for equity in education, an educational system accessible to every individual with
minimal restrictions and emphasizing the flexibility of the system to eradicate problems


caused by barriers like age, geographical location, time constraints and economic
situation

) Technical-vocational education and training is the education or training process where
it involves, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related
sciences and acquisition of practical skills relating to occupations in various sectors of
economic life and social life, comprises formal (organized programs as part of the
school system) and non-formal (organized classes outside the school system)
approaches.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Community Learning Centers. There shall be established at
least one (1) community learning center (CLC) in every municipality and city in the
Philippines; Provided, That additional learning centers shall be established such that there is
one learning center per 50,000 persons in every city and every municipality with a population
of more than 100,000 persons; Provided, further, That where CLCs already exist, its upgrading
shall be undertaken, while existing public libraries and reading centers shall be converted into
‘community learning centers; Provided, finally, That the CLC shall be constructed in
geographically equitable and accessible locations, and in compliance with relevant building
standards and specifications, including the requirements to support or enhance the mobility of
persons with disability and senior citizens.

SEC. 5. Functions of Community Learning Centers. Community learning centers shall
provide all persons a venue for lifelong learning, as well as provide underprivileged individuals
access to information and communication technologies for e-learning, blended, distance, or
open learning. It shall make available:

a) printed materials, such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, posters, maps, and
charts;

b) audio-visual aids or media, such as film, television and radio;

©) digital devices, such as desktop or portable computers and electronic blackboards,
equipped with appropriate software and stable Internet connection to access online
courses, e-books, and other online resources, as well as enable web conferencing; and,

4) shall be the venue for alternative learning classes, technical-vocational education and
training, presentations, exhibitions, lectures, seminars, workshops, debates, and other
learning activities.

SEC. 6. Implementing agencies. The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination
with the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall undertake the construction of
community learning centers or the repair and rehabilitation of existing CLCs according to
mutually agreed specifications, criteria and details; Provided, That the design of the CLC shall
ensure a conducive learning environment, as well as provide sufficient space for educational
materials, equipment and administrative services.

‘The National Library of the Philippines shall provide the standard set of relevant printed and
audio-visual materials, and shall digitize its catalog and collections to provide free and full
offsite access.


‘The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) shall provide the
necessary infrastructure to ensure reliable Internet connection and maximize digital technology
in community learning centers. DepEd and DICT shall jointly develop digital educational
materials for use in CLCs, as well as mobile applications and similar software that will enable
remote access to CLC materials and other sources of information.

SEC. 7. Role of local governments. Cities and municipalities shall provide the site for
community learning centers and shall undertake its operation and maintenance. Local
government units may allocate such funds necessary for the operation and maintenance of
CLCs from the Special Education Fund, upon approval and authorization of the Local School
Board.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of implementing agencies and shall
be thereafter included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the NLP, DICT, the Department
of Interior and Local Government, and other concerned government agencies and civil society
organizations, shall formulate and issue the necessary guidelines to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section
shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general
circulation.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All acts, presidential decrees, executive orders and issuances
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,