CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
“First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

. 41245
House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the competitive advantages of the Philippines as an investment
destination is our English speaking workforce. Similarly, Filipino workers are generally
preferred over other nationalities for overseas work because of their ability to converse
and-understand English. The developing countries in Asia as well as other non-English
speaking countries in the world are now exerting great efforts in teaching their people to
learn the English language to become more competitive.

Unfortunately, this competitive edge has diminished over the years and the
learning of the English language suffered a setback due largely to the Bilingual Policy of
the Department of Education introduced in 1974 through DECs Order No. 25 series of
1974. While the policy was commendable, the same has limited the exposure of the
learner to both English and Filipino, thus greatly affecting the non-tagalog speaker.

Further, the books in almost all the disciplines, especially in mathematics and
science, are written in English. Because of the non-mastery of the language, we have
been left behind in terms of knowledge and skills in science, mathematics and
technology, especially among our Asian neighbors, and has jeopardized the global
competitiveness of our young people.

The bill proposes that we regain the mastery of the English language and
improve the total learning process in our schools, especially in our public schools, to
ensure better education for the Filipino students and enhance their competitiveness in
the global arena.

‘Thus, | recommend the immediate approval of this measure.

le ge ie an
MARK A. VILLAR

Representative
Lone District of Las Pifias City



CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1245
House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THE USE OF ENGLISH AS MEDIUM
OF INSTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as “Strengthening and
Enhancing the Use of English as the Medium of Instruction Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to provide
the citizenry with the opportunities to have quality education, to learn, communicate,
grow and change in the pursuit of a higher standard of life. Towards this end, the
government undertakes to align the education of the young aligned with the
requirements and realities of business life and competitive in the global environment
by strengthening, enhancing and developing the use of the English language as a
medium of instruction in all levels of education, from pre-school to the tertiary level.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms
or acronyms shall refer to and/or mean as hereunder defined:

(a) Medium of Instruction (MOl) refers to the language or dialect used in
teaching;

(b) Schoo! Year (SY) refers to part of the year during which school is in
session typically from June to March;


(c) Parents, Teachers and Community Association (PTCA ) refers to a
group of parents and teachers organized for the welfare of a school and students;

(d) Regional or Native Language refers to the regional language or any
dialect prevailing in a region or place; and

(e) Academic Subjects refers to curricular subjects in the area of general
education, science and technology

SEC. 4. Medium of Instruction. - The MOI in all subjects taught shall be as
follows:

(a) English, Filipino or the regional/native language may be used as the
MOI in all subjects from pre-school until Grade Il

(b) English and Filipino shall be taught as separate subjects in all levels in
elementary and secondary levels.

(c) In all academic subjects in the elementary grades from Grade IV to
Grade VI and in all levels in the secondary, the MO! shall be English.

(d) __ In the tertiary level, the current language policy as prescribed by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall be maintained.

(e) In addition to formal instruction, the use of English shall be encouraged
as a language of interaction in the school. Corollary to this, the organization of
English clubs, such as book, oratorical, debating, writing and related associations
shall be encouraged. In school publications, the use of English shall be given
priority, as far as practicable.

SEC. 5. Government Examinations and Entrance Examinations. -
Government examinations and entrance examinations to public schools and state
colleges and universities at all levels shall use English as the language of
assessment; Provided, however, it may include questions in Filipino for which the
credit for such questions shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total points in the
examination.


SEC. 6. Support Facilities. - All the requirements, devices and support
facilities necessary to strengthen, enhance and develop English as the MO! such as
training and orientation for teachers, teachers’ manuals, learning modules and
workbooks, textbooks, audiovisual aids and other auxiliary teaching and learning
materials shall be formulated, developed, and provided by the Department of
Education (DepEd).

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education,
in consultation with CHED, the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), and other concerned government agencies shall promulgate
within sixty (60) days the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that shall be
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act

SEC. 8. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a
Congressional Oversight Committee composed of three (3) Members from the
Senate and three (3) Members from the House of Representatives. The Members
from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President based on the
proportional representation or the parties or the coalitions therein with at least one
(1) Senator representing the Minority. The Members of the House of
Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker, also based on proportional
representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) Member
representing the Minority.

‘The Committee shall be headed by the respective Chairpersons of the Senate
and the House of Representatives’ Committees on Education

The Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall, in aid of
legislation, perform the following tasks:

a) Participate in the crafting of the IRR;

b) Approve the final draft of the IRR;

©) Set the guidelines and overall framework to monitor and ensure the
proper implementation of this Act;


d) Ensure transparency and require the submission of reports from
government agencies concerned on the conduct of programs, projects and policies
relating to the implementation of this Act;

e) Determine inherent weaknesses in the law and recommend the
necessary remedial legislation or executive measures; and

f) Perform such other duties and functions and responsibilities as may be
necessary to effectively attain the objectives of this Act.

The Congressional Oversight Committee on Education shall be assisted by
the secretariat of the committees of both the House of Representatives and the
Senate and shall be assisted by personne! whomay be seconded therefrom. It may
likewise retain the services of consultants.

SEC. 9, Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,