Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A local public school is the center for the delivery of education and human resources for the 
members of any community. In line with this, there is a need for the public schools, primarily in 
rural and urban city commodities, to collaborate with other public and non-profit agencies and 
organizations, local businesses, educational entities, recreational, cultural, and other community 
and human service entities, to meet the needs of, and expand the opportunities available to the 
residents of the communities served by such schools. 
By using school facilities, equipment, and resources, communities can promote the efficient use 
of public education facilities, especially in rural and inner-city areas where limited financial 
resources have increased the necessity for local public schools to become social service 
centers. 
The 21st Century requires lifelong learning to keep our workforce competitive and successful, 
and local public schools should provide centers for lifelong learning and educational 
opportunities for individuals of all ages. 
This bill seeks the establishment of 21st Century Learning Centers to enable the entire 
community to develop an educational strategy that addresses the educational needs of all 
members of local communities. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
October 20, 2022
1:53 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THE 
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF ALL MEMBERS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act may be cited as the “21st Century Community 
Learning Center’s Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State 
to develop an education strategy that addresses the educational needs of all members of 
local communities. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Community Learning Center. – For purposes of this Act, the 
term “community learning center” means an entity within a public elementary or 
secondary school building that – 
(A)
Provides educational, recreational, health, and social service programs for 
residents of all ages within a local community; and
(B)
Is operated by a local educational agency in conjunction with local government 
agencies, businesses, vocational educational programs, institutions of higher 
education, community colleges, cultural recreational, and other community and 
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human service entities. 
 
 
SECTION 4. Program Authorization. – 
(A)  Grant by the Secretary of Education. – The Secretary is authorized, in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act, to award grants to public elementary or secondary 
schools, or consortia of such schools, to enable such schools or consortia to plan, 
implement, or to expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social service, 
cultural, and recreational needs of rural or inner-city community. 
 
(B)  Equitable Distribution. – In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall 
assure an equitable distribution of assistance among the local government units 
and among urban and rural areas. 
 
(C)  Grant Period. – The Secretary shall award grants for a period not to exceed three (3) 
years. 
 
SECTION 5. Application Period. – To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an 
elementary or secondary school or consortia shall submit an application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary 
may reasonably prescribe. Each application shall include – 
(A) A comprehensive local plan that enables the school or consortium to serve as a 
center for the delivery of education and human resources for members of a community; 
 
(B) An evaluation of the needs, available resources, and goals and objectives for the 
proposed project in order to determine which activities will be undertaken to address 
such needs; and 
 
(C) A description of the proposed projects, including: 
(1) 
A description of the mechanism that will be used to disseminate information in 
a manner that is understandable and accessible to the community;  


 
 
(2) 
Identification of national and local programs to be merged or coordinated so 
that public resources may be maximized; 
(3) 
A 
description 
of 
the 
collaborative 
efforts 
to 
be 
undertaken 
by 
community-based organizations, related public agencies, businesses, or other 
appropriate organizations; 
(4) 
A description of how the school or consortium will serve as a delivery center 
for existing and new services, especially for interactive telecommunications 
used for education and professional training; and  
(5) 
An assurance that the school or consortium will establish a facility utilization 
policy that specifically states the rules and regulations applicable to building 
equipment use and supervision guidelines. 
 
SECTION 6. Priority. – The Secretary shall give priority to applications describing 
projects that offer a broad selection of services that address the needs of the community. 
 
SECTION 7. Use of Funds. – Grants awarded under this Act may be used to plan, 
implement, or expand community learning centers which include not less than four (4) of 
the following activities: 
(A) Literacy education programs; 
(B) Senior Citizen programs and services for individuals with disabilities; 
(C) Children’s day care services; 
(D) Integrated education, health, social service, recreational or cultural programs; 
(E) Summer and weekend school programs in conjunction with recreational 
programs; 
(F) 
Nutrition and health programs; 
(G) Expanded library service hours to serve community needs; 
(H) Telecommunications and technology education programs for individuals of all 
ages; 
(I) 
Parenting skills education programs; 
(J) 
Support and training for child day care providers; 
(K) Employment counseling, training and placement; and 


 
 
(L) 
Services for out-of-school youth. 
 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this 
Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated for every fiscal year. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation not contrary to, or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,