Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House B1Lt no. 689

Authored by Hon. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The present situation of the public school in the Philippines is
very much alarming and needs urgent action. The perennial problem
of scarcity of funds for school buildings, classrooms, desks and chairs
has further deteriorated the quality of learning in public schools. This
is one of the reasons why our public educational system continues to
lag behind our Southeast Asian neighbors.

As the student population continues to increase every year, the
government failed to provide classrooms and facilities conducive for
better and quality learning. To add insult to injury, the Department of
Education cannot effectively address the lack of teachers to almost all
public schools in the country.

A close perusal at the present budgetary allocation to the
Department of Education by the National Government, it tells us that
the ninety percent (90%) of its budget is earmarked for personnel
services leaving a measly ten percent (10%) for school buildings,

classrooms and educational facilities.

This bill seeks to address the shortage of classrooms and
educational facilities in the public school system by providing for a
one-time appropriation to address the deficiency. It seeks to create a

center within the Department of Education which will develop and


innovate a program build classrooms, provide desks and chairs and
most importantly textbooks by using the most appropriate design and
cost efficient method of building and acquiring the needed materials.

Passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

ie

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

663
HOUSE BILL NO.

Authored by Hon. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR
REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT, CREATING A
BASIC REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FUND,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Basic
Education Rehabilitation and Improvement Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the
policy of the State to uphold the primacy of education, accelerate
social progress and promote total human development. Accordingly,
the State shall ensure a continuing level of educational rehabilitation
and improvement through the provision of essential requirements
necessary for quality education. Towards this end, the State shall
endeavor to provide pupils and students in the public school system
with educational facilities that are adequate, up-to-date and that will
meet requirements for the education and training of a citizenry in a
global and technologically enabled world.

SECTION 3. Objective. - The objectives of this Act are:

a) To eliminate the shortages in basic education inputs of

classrooms, textbooks, and desks in our public school system;


b) To improve the delivery of educational instructions necessary
for quality education; and
c) To foster an environment in school which is conducive for
teaching and learning.
SECTION 4. Education Rehabilitation Improvement Center.
- There is hereby created an Education Rehabilitation and
Improvement Center (ERIC) in the Department of Education (DepEd)
which shall be headed by a Director and a staff appointed from
among the personnel of the Department of Education. The ERIC shall
adopt a program to resolve the shortage of classrooms, desks, and
textbooks in the public school system. The ERIC shall perform
following functions:
a) Develop a program to eliminate the deficiency of classrooms,
desks, and textbooks in the public education system;
b

Cause the preparation of plans and specifications for various
models of public school buildings taking into consideration
the type of community, functionality, and costs without

sacrificing strength and durability, and aesthetics.
c

Determine the allocation and distribution of the funds
appropriated and authorized to be appropriated under this
Act among the different regional, division, district, and
school levels in accordance with guidelines to be issued by
the Secretary:of Education.

d) Act as administrator and trustee of the Education
Rehabilitation and Improvement Fund as_ provided
hereunder.

SECTION 5. Education Rehabilitation and Improvement
Fund, - There is hereby created a trust fund, to be known as the
Education Rehabilitation and Improvement Fund for which the sum of
Twenty Five Billion Pesos (P 25.0 Billion) shall be appropriated. The
total amount allocated herein shall be used exclusively for the
construction, rehabilitation and/or repair of school
buildings/classrooms, the procurement of textbooks and desks
pursuant to the program, as determined by the ERIC.


Provided, that the primary objective in the use of any allocation
under this Act shall be to eliminate classroom, textbook and desk
shortages in the public school system.

Provided, further, that all unexpended balance, after the
completion of the work and/or procurement authorized for each fiscal
year, shall at once revert to the National Treasury to the credit of the
appropriation provided for under this Act and shall not be withdrawn
from it nor .expended for the purpose indicated herein. Such
unexpended balance for any fiscal year shall be added to the
appropriation for the next fiscal year and expended accordingly.

SECTION 6. Bidding. - Any provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding, funds allocated under the provisions of this Act shall
be executed through public bidding in accordance with existing
government rules and regulations. If there are no bidders or if the
work and/or procurement can be executed at a reasonably lower rate
than the most advantageous bid, such work and/or procurement shall
be executed by the ERIC.

SECTION 7. Appropriation. - The amount needed to
implement this program shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year.

SECTION 8. Penal Clause. - It shall be unlawful for any
public officer or employee to allocate, distribute, or release the funds
authorized under this Act in violation of Section Five hereof. Any
public officer or employee violating any of the provisions of this Act
shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than six (6) year and
a fine of not more than One Million Pesos (P 1.0 Million) without
prejudice to their liability under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

SECTION 9. Separability. - If for any reason, any provision
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect
fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers

of general circulation.


Approved,