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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.No. 
1802 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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JUL 21 
P4 '57· 
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The understanding and active support of parents for all aspects of schooling is important, 
if children are to succeed academically. When parents feel accepted, cared about, and respected, 
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they will support the school, regardless of cultural, socio-economic, language, or educational 
background. 
Parents will actively support their children's education when shown how to do so 
effectively. A parent involvement program can teach parents how to work with their children 
and their schools. However, the success of such a program is in direct proportion to the belief 
and commitment of the school leadership and staff; and to the extent that a specific plan with 
supporting materials, evaluation and accountability components are provided. 
This act seeks to: (1) build effective parent involvement in schools in order to help raise 
student achievement; (2) positively engage parents in their children's education; (3) build 
consistent and effective communications between home and school so that parents may know 
their children's progress in all aspects of school life; (4) train teachers to communicate 
effectively with parents; (5) train parents in home strategies for raising their children's academic 
success; and (6) train administrators and teachers in building support for schools in the 
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commumty. 
, This bill was originally filed during the Thirte~nth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 
JIjL 21 
P4 '57 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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TO ESTABLISH A "PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN LEARNING" PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Parents as Partners in 
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Learning Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definitions of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
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(A) "Eligible applicant" means one or more ofthe following: 
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(1) A local educational agency; 
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(2) An individual school; 
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(3) A non-profit organization; 
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(4) An institution ofhigl1er education; or 
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(5) A State educational agency. 
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(B) "Parent" includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis; and " 
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(C) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Education. 
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SECTION 3. Grants Authorized.-
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(A) Grants Authorized. - The Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible applicants 
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to design and carry out projects that seek to build effective parent involvement in the education 
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of their children in order to raise student achievement. In malting grants under this Act, the 
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Secretary shall take into consideration regional, cultural, and ethnic diversity within the 
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Philippines. 
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(B) Priority. - In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to 
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eligible applicants whose applications: 
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(1) Demonstrate the potential to serve as models for dissemination to other 
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entities wishing to develop parent participation in schools; and 
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(2) Describe programs which serve families in greatest need of assistance. 
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SECTION 4. Application. - Each eligible applicant desiring to receive a grant under this 
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Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing or 
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accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Each such 
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application shall: 
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(A) Describe the activities and services for which assistance is sought; 
(B) Contain an assessment of the extent and quality of parent involvement in the school; 
(C) Include clear, written objectives and desired outcomes for each year ofthe project; 
(D) Contain assurances of frequent and regular communications between teachers and 
parmts and between administrators and parents, including consideration of the 
specific language and literacy needs of the parents; and 
(E) 
Contain such information as the Secretary may require to ensure compliance :with 
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the provisions ofthis Act. 
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SECTION 5. Use of Funds. - Each eligible applicant may use funds provided under this 
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Act to: 
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(A) Provide for home activities where parents can reinforce skills learned at school; 
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(B) Provide parents with training to enable them to build positive relationships with their 
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children and to communicate successfully with teachers and administrators; and 
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(C) Conduct regular and ongoing community outreach activities which develop for the 
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community'S schools. 
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SECTION 6. Establishment of National Advisory Resource Center Concerning Parents 
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as Partners in Learning. - The Secretary shall establish and operate a National Advisory Center 
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for Parents as Partners in Learning (hereafter in this Act referred to as the "Center") within the 
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Department of Education. The Center shaH provide: 
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(A) Technical assistance in developing model Parents as Partners in Learning programs; 
(B) Staff training for Parents as Partners in Learning programs; and 
(C) Model materials for Parents as Partners in Learning program implementation. 
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SECTION 7. Evaluation and Dissemination. - The Secretary shall conduct an annual 
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evaluation of grants made under this Act and shall disseminate such information. 
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SECTION 8. Payments.-
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(A) Government Funding. - The Secretary shall pay each eligible applicant having an 
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application approved under Section 4, the government share of the cost of the activities described 
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in the application. The government share: 
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(1) For the first year in which the State receives funds under this Act shall be 
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seventy five percent (75%); 
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(2) For the second such,year shall be fifty percent (50%); 
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(3) For the third year and each sncceeding year thereafter shall be thirty three and 
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one third percent (33.3%); Provided, that government funding shall not exceed 
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five (5) years for each program. 
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(B) Additional Funding. - The eligible applicant shall be responsible for securing the 
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additional funding for the program from the private sector, whose contributions under thi's Act 
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may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment or services. 
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SECTION 9. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may 
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be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
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sum necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual 
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appropriation for the Department of Education. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 11. 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 of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. 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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