Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Que3on City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

7280

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘About 1,500 inmates in the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison
have been benefited by the Department of Education's informal education program,
the Alternative Learning System (ALS)'. The implementation of this program in
Philippine penitentiaries came from the Bureau of Corrections’ conviction that “the best
reformatory program in the world is an educational program”. This sentiment was
seconded by Non-Government Organizations and education institutions dedicated to
providing inmates a second chance to acquire a college degree while in detention*

and have set up college education centers in prisons such as in Davao City.

However, as inmates are not obliged to attend school, graduate rate of programs like
the ALS, is low. In 2015, only a third of the annual enrollees from the New Bilibid Prison
graduated. Despite the low figure in graduates, the passing rate of those who did finish
and eventually take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test have been exemplary. The

2014 exams reported that 210 out of 214 takers passed.

* https://www.rappler.com/nation/86735-als-mandatory-jails
* http://newsinfo. inquirer.nev/922306/college-education-behind-bars


This bill intends to incentivize inmates who have earned or has made satisfactory
progress in their education by granting time credit towards the service of sentence.
Programs for academic, vocational, technical and values development programs for
prisoners shall be coordinated and implemented by the Department of Education and
the Technical Education Skills Development Authority. This hopes to encourage
inmates, especially those who are illiterate, to continue their education and develop

further skills and moral values while under detention.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS IND “ F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

v


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 7280

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

———

AN ACT
GRANTING GOOD CONDUCT TIME ALLOWANCE TO PRISONERS WHO
PARTICIPATE IN LITERACY, SKILLS AND VALUES DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
ARTICLE 97 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
REVISED PENAL CODE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote the
correction and rehabilitation of prisoners by providing opportunities for increasing their
literacy skills and strengthening their moral values thereby facilitating their
reintegration into the mainstream of society as reformed and productive citizens.
Towards this end, the State shall recognize efforts of prisoners for self-improvement
by granting them good conduct time allowance as envisioned under Article 97, Chapter
Il of the Revised Penal Code.

SECTION 2. Coverage. - This Act shall cover detention prisoners in detention
facilities of law enforcement agencies and those prisoners serving sentence by virtue
of final judgement in the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology (BJMP).

SECTION 3. Good Conduct Time Allowance. — Any prisoner who has earned or is
making satisfactory progress towards warning a post-graduate of college degree, high
school or elementary grade diploma, vocational or technical skill or values
development certificate or those who are being utilized to teach subjects or courses in
the aforementioned programs shall be granted time credit towards the service of
sentence: Provided, That the time credit shall not exceed fifteen (15) days for every
month of study time.


SECTION 4. Program Implementation. - The academic, vocational skills and values
development programs for prisoners shall be implemented in coordination with the
Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and
other recognized institutions and organization.

SECTION 5. Authority to Grant Good Conduct Time Allowance. — The Director of
the Bureau of Corrections, the Chief of the BUMP, wardens of provincial and sub-
provincial jails and the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation shall have the
authority to assess, evaluate and grant good time allowances to prisoners, subject to
the approval of the Secretary of Justice, Secretary of the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG) or the Provincial Governor, as the case may be.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Secretary of Justice and
the Secretary of the DILG shall, within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act,
shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for its effective implementation.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - In case any provision hereof is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared and affected shall remain in force
and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Alll laws, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are contrary to or are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,