SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
~.j}. (I (' 
Senate Bill No. _---'._-. ....:;]'--0"-
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
.:Semdp 
{~ff1ff' of tlte _~ur!lh!r~\ 
"13 
JUl -2 A9 :46 
Alternative Learning System (ALS) is neither a new concept nor a phenomenon 
since it is the primary goal of the Education for All Program. The ALS institutionalization 
is consistent with the declared policy of Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the 
Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 where the State is mandated, among 
others, to "promote, the right of all citizens to quality basic education and to make such 
education accessible to all by providing all Filipino children a free compulsory education 
in the elementary level and free education in the high school level" with central 
emphasis of including "alternative learning education system for out-of-school youth and 
adult learners." 
The advent or ALS offers a new dimension and a paradigm shift for non-formal 
education that will ultimately address and satisfy the legal requirements of Republic Act 
9155, ALS is an independent complete learning system as it addresses the various 
learning styles and needs of learners, Learners are given full discretion of the kind and 
method of-learning they wish to have, including the use of information technology. A 
system and mode of certification and/or accreditation will be put in place to enhance 
employability of those who get into it. 
The immediate pas,sage of this bill is recommended. 
/L~ .~ 
c~~T11;::. VI~ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 296 
----------_. 
._--_._-
Introduced by Senator Cynthia Villar 
------------------------------- ._---
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE BUREAU OF ALTERNATIVE LEARNING 
SYStEM (BALS) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled. 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Alternative Learning System 
2 
Act." 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is policy of the State to encourage non-
S 
formal, informal and indigenous learning system, as well as self-learning, independent, 
6 
and out -of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs. 
7 
The State shall also provide adult citizens, the disabled and out-of-school youth with 
8 
training in civics, vocational efficiency. and other skills. 
9 
10 
SEC. 3. Definition. - For the purpose of this Act, the terms and phrases shall 
11 
mean as follows: 
12 
13 
a) Alternative Learning System (ALS) shall refer to a parallel learning system to provide 
14 
a viable alternative to the existing formal education. It encompasses both the non-
15 
formal,and informal sources of knowledge and skills. 
16 
17 
b) Distance Education shall refer to any formal or non-formal education process wherein 
18 
the teaching method is outside the traditional means of education service delivery but 
19 
instead makes use of other methods of communication such as via mail,video, radio 
20 
correspondence or other such means of communication. 
21 
22 
c) Bureau shall refer to the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) 
23 
24 
SEC. 4. Renaming of the Bureau. - The present Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE) 
25 
under the Department of Education shall now hereby be renamed as the Bureau of 
26 
Alternative Learning System (BALS). 
27 
28 
SEC. 5. Functions of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System. - The Bureau 
29 
shall perform the following functions: 
30 
31 
a) Formulate the objectives and basic policies of the alternative learning system; 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
b) Formulate, adopt and supplement schemes and systems that will be most effective and 
productive for ALS; 
. 
I 
c) Formulate guidelines, policies, criteria for accreditation and evaluation of establishments 
offering ALS; 


.' 
1 
2 
d) Formulate policies, guidelines, systems that will effectively administer admission of 
3 
students, delivery of instruction, and graduation; 
4 
5 
e) Formulate policies, guidelines and systems that will efficiently transfer of students from 
6 
ALS to formal education and vice-versa; 
7 
8 
f) Administer and supervise the education programs of institutions and schools offering ALS; 
9 
g) Develop curricula for ALS; 
10 
11 
h) Coordinate and monitor the objectives, functions and activities of ALS; and 
12 
13 
i) Administer, supervise, monitor and coordinate all programs and activities under Distance 
14 
Education 
15 
16 
SEC. 6. Institutionalization of Distance Education - The administration of all 
17 
Distance Education programs and projects is hereby transferred to the Bureau of Alternative 
18 
Learning System. 
19 
20 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education, 
21 
upon prior consultation with the appropriate government agencies, non-governmental 
22 
organizations and concerned civil society, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations 
23 
for the effective implementation of this Act within a period of ninety (90) days after its 
24 
approval. 
25 
26 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
27 
and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are 
28 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
29 
30 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
31 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
32 
circulation. 
33 
34 
Approved, 
35