SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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S.B. NO. -1l 0 5 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The demands of an increasingly globalized environment have impacted on the 
Philippine economy in unprecedented ways. There is now, more than ever, great 
pressure on us to adapt to the demands of transnational and multilingual institutions in 
order to become a globally competitive nation. One of the ways to ensure that Filipinos 
will gain a considerable advantage is to introduce comprehensive educational reforms 
in the primary and secondary levels, which may enhance Filipino competency in 
foreign languages. Learning foreign languages at the earliest possible time opens up a 
whole new'dimension for children, as it increases their interest in reading and writing, 
and can Significantly contribute to the development of their individual intelligence. 
Spanish, for instance, is spoken everyday by over 450 million people in 22 
countries, and 48 million others are learning the language through various institutions 
like the Institufo Cervantes. It is also the third most used language on the internet, after 
English and Mandarin. As the Spanish-speaking countries are large markets for both 
goods and services, learning the language is a good long-term investment for Filipinos. 
Beyond our need to become globally competitive, we also note that the 
cultivation of international cooperation is aided by the learning of other languages, as it 
facilitates an interest in other cultures, expands our realm of ideas, and provides for 
common threads through which we can create a harmonious global community. 
In light of the challenges thrust upon us by the changing times and our own 
objectives, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought . 
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LORtrNLEGARDA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
S. B. NO. -1105 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
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INTEGRATING FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULA 
Be it enacted by tlie Senate and House of Representatives of ihe Philippines 111 Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Tit/e. This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Language 
Education Act of 2013." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the fast growing global 
economy and the need for Filipinos to remain competitive in the global arena that is 
composed of different peoples, cultures and languages. It shall therefore be the policy of 
the State to institute foreign language education in the primary and secondary school 
curricula, with the goal of equipping Filipinos joining the workforce with sufficient 
aptitude and skills to be more competitive and thereafter, enjoy better job opportunities 
in the highly competitive global arena. 
SEC. 3. Foreign Language Education. The Department of Education (DepEd) 
shall integrate foreign language education into the primary and secondary school 
curricula, covering both public and private schools. The Secretary of the DepEd shall 
I determine the specific foreign languages, start. of the integration, number of hours to be 
devoted in teaching identified foreign languages, and other necessary guidelines and 
policies. 
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SEC. 4. 
Foreign Language Teachers. To attend to the needs of foreign language 
teachers in primary and secondary education, the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED) shall promote a field of specialization in each of the identified foreign 
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languages in higher education institutions (HEIs). CHED shall coordinate with the 
education offices or similar offices of foreign embassies in formulating the foreign 
language training programs and curricula for Filipino teachers. 
Teachers and college graduates who will take up a Master's degree in the 
corresponding foreign language shall be accredited as foreign language teachers. The 
CHED shall also include the teaching of foreign languages as a field of study in the 
teacher education program. 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. To implement the provisions of this Act, the initial sum 
of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,OOO,OOO.OO) shall be charged against the savings of the 
Department of Education (DepEd) in its fiscal year budget. Such other amounts as may 
be necessary for its operation shall be included under the appropriations of DepEd in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 6. 
Separability Clause. 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. 
SEC. 7. 
Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. 
Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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