TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 903
of till' . f:.Tr;>
25 AUG-5 P2:11
RtCEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING EDUCATION PROGRAM 
AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC EDUCATION
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Following the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department 
of Education (DepEd) implemented the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE- 
LCP) which outlined various learning modalities - face-to-face ciasses for very low risk 
areas with no history of infection; homeschooling which is facilitated by qualified 
parents, guardians or tutors; distance learning which includes the use of self-learning 
modules (SLMs), engagement using online platforms or videoconference, and 
television or radio-based instruction; and blended learning which combines any of the 
aforesaid modalities.
From these modalities, blended learning using SLMs and television or radio, can 
be considered as the most accessible, given the additional budgetary expenses needed 
with regard to use of gadgets and the internet, and the health risks still present during 
the public health emergency.
The agency launched the DepEd TV on August 2020. Since then, the program 
was able to reach eighteen (18) million school-aged viewers, mainly kids from two (2)


to twelve (12) years old1. The DepEd TV has been airing in at least a dozen TV, radio, 
and cable operators throughout the country, and is also available on official DepEd 
online platforms on Facebook and YouTube.
While face-to-face classes have fully resumed, the importance of the utilization 
of television broadcast to enhance the quality of education in the country cannot be 
discarded. Primarily, there are still students who need to reinforce their learnings 
from school because they were not able to fully understand the lessons, they need to 
review for exams, or they missed some classes due to extracurricular activities as in 
the case of student athletes. Also, schools still resort to alternative modes of learning 
during times of naturai calamities including high heat indices. Finally, studies show 
that multimedia materials are helpful especially during the formative years of learning.
The Year 2 Report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or 
EDCOM 2 stated that, "quality multimedia resources also play a pivotal role in ECCD. 
The World Bank shared a longitudinal research demonstrating the efficacy of high- 
quality educational content delivered through television in fostering both cognitive 
development and socioemotional skills in young learners." Further, "high-quality 
television programs that blend education with entertainment have emerged as 
powerful tools for child development. Studies demonstrated that when children watch 
well-crafted educational shows, they gain valuable thinking skills and learn better ways 
to handle emotions and social situations." Based on this, EDCOM 2, among others, 
recommended that "the Philippine government should invest in culturally relevant 
educational multimedia programming as a scalable and cost-effective strategy to 
expand access to quality early childhood education particularly in underserved areas."2
This measure seeks to institutionalize television broadcast education program 
as a practical and effective way to educate the students and make quality education 
accessible to all.
1 "DepEd TV reached 18 million school-aged viewership." https://www.deped.eov.ph/2021/12/29/deped-tv- 
reached-18-million-school-aeed-viewership/
2 EDCOM 2 - Publications


In pursuit of quality education for all, the immediate approval of this measure 
is highly recommended.
INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 903
■ r' 
i j i -.iV I,
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25 AUG-5 P2:11 
A
RtCElVtD L.. I
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING EDUCATION PROGRAM 
AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC EDUCATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Television Alternative
2 
Learning System Act'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is declared the policy of the State to protect
4 
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take
5 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. The State shall also
6 
encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-
7 
learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that
8 
respond to community needs.
9 
Toward this end, the State shall ensure the continuous delivery of "quality
10 
education for all" through the alternative learning system of television broadcasting
11 
education, even in times of crises, isolation, insurgencies, unrest, pandemics, and
12 
other calamities.
13 
Sec. 3. Applicability. - Th\s Act shall cover all public schools offering elementary
14 
and high school education.
15 
This Act shall be applicable at all times especially during crisis such as
16 
insurgencies, unrests, pandemics, and other natural or man-made calamities that
17 
would hinder the physical presence and safety of students in schools.


1 
Sec. 4. Television (TV) Broadcasting Education Program. - The Television (TV)
2 
Broadcast Education Program is an alternative method of education where students
3 
can experience learning and attend classes either through aerial broadcasting of a live,
4 
real time class session or broadcasting of video lessons, specially produced content
5 
and instructional materials aligned with the basic education curriculum.
6 
Off-school students watching real time TV broadcast sessions should have the
7 
ability for interaction with the in-school class by means of available communication
8 
technologies like voice calls, text messages, chats and other media.
9 
Whenever possible, a modified off-school, in-school scheme should be adopted.
10 
At least twenty percent (20%) in-school classroom physical presence should be
11 
required to encourage interaction amongst students and teachers for the development
12 
of social and communication skill.
13 
The free TV broadcast education program airtime shall be the same as the
14 
prescribed hours needed under the regular classroom type mode of the Department
15 
of Education (DepEd) curriculum to assure quality education.
16 
To gain education progression credits, enrollment in person should be made in
17 
a school proximate to the students' residences.
18 
In cases where being physically present in school would extremely be difficult,
19 
students enrolled in regular classroom schooling can use the TV broadcast as an
20 
alternative learning system (ALS) upon DepEd approval.
21 
Sec. 5. Partnership with Television Broadcasting Networks and Government
22 
Agencies. - The DepEd shall partner with TV networks, national or regional, capable
23 
of covering aerial broadcasting to all areas of the country.
24 
DepEd should adopt teaching and instructional policies that adhere and
25 
complement the peculiarity of every region in respect to its customs, cultures, arts
26 
and laws.
27 
Government agencies, including government-owned and controlled
28 
corporations, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are mandated
29 
to provide the necessary assistance such as, but not limited to, the acquisition of
30 
dedicated frequencies, air time, or channels, provision of creative and technical
31 
requirements relative to the production of educational programs, and all other
32 
requirements needed for the implementation of this Act.


1 
Sec. 6. Continuous Airing of Educational Programs. -The DepEd shall endeavor
2 
to implement continuous televised airing of educational programs and specially
3 
produced content even during semestral or annual academic breaks and during off-
4 
peak or outside school hours to make such instructional materials available for viewing
5 
for all students and any interested learner.
6 
Video lessons and relevant audiovisual content shall also be uploaded and made
7 
available on official online platforms of the DepEd.
8 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
9 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
10 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd shall issue the
11 
implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within thirty
12 
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
13 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
14 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
15 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
16 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
17 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
18 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
19 
accordingly.
20 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
21 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,