National Literacy Council Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 15 P1:43 SENATE RECHA DEN S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN RENAMING THE LITERACY COORDINATING COUNCIL TO THE NATIONAL LITERACY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND STREAMLINING ITS MEMBERSHIP FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURE, PROVIDING ITS LOCAL SUPPORT MECHANISMS, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7165, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) was established on November 25, 1991 under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 71651 which mandates the LCC to act as the primary agency that would spearhead the formulation of policies and programs to eradicate illiteracy in the country. Almost two decades later on May 27, 2010, R.A. No. 101222 was enacted to strengthen the LCC by adding to its functions the following: (1) engagement of services, expertise and resources for the cooperation, assistance, and support of appropriate government agencies or NGOs involved in literacy; (2) formulation of policies 1 Otherwise known as "An Act Creating the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes" 2 Otherwise known as "An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating Council by Amending Republic Act No. 7165, otherwise known as "An Act Creating the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes"

towards maximizing public and private sector support and involvement on literacy endeavors; and (3) proposing measures on how to organize and strengthen support structures for literacy at the regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels. Notwithstanding these enactments, however, the latest numbers from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the universalization of literacy in the country has not been achieved despite three decades since the enactment of R.A. No. 7165. Based on a preliminary analysis of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), 93.1% of the population aged 10 to 64 years old is considered basically literate. This implies that 6.9%, or approximately 5.87 million Filipinos within the same age group, are not basically literate meaning they are unable to read and write a simple message with understanding, or are unable to perform basic mathematical operations. Furthermore, only 70.8% of individuals aged 10 to 64 years old are functionally literate. Conversely, this means that 29.2%, or about 24.8 million Filipinos in the same age group, lack the ability to apply higher-order comprehension skills which requires them to integrate two or more pieces of information and draw inferences from the given content. Apart from these literacy concerns, issues on the decline in the quality of education in the country, observed by the first Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) thirty years ago, also continue to this day. 3 3 Compared to the 2018 cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Filipino learners showed no significant improvement in the 2022 round. Among the 81 participating countries, the Philippines ranked 79th in Science, 75th in Mathematics, and 76th in Reading. Similarly, results from the 2019 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) revealed that Grade 5 Filipino learners failed to meet the minimum proficiency standards in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Furthermore, results from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) indicated that Grade 4 Filipino learners obtained the lowest scores among the 58 participating countries in both Science and Mathematics.

This bill proposes to repeal R.A. No. 7165 by strengthening the LCC's powers and functions, and more importantly streamlines its membership structure to align the fulfillment of its mandate with the following recent laws that seek to achieve the universalization of literacy as one of their goals: 1) R.A. No. 11510 or the "Alternative Learning System Act" (ALS Act) which provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction, including both non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills, to improve access to education and other learning opportunities and raise the level of literacy to contribute to an individual's sustainable future; and 2) R.A. No. 11315 or the "Community-Based Monitoring System Act" (CBMS Act) which builds the capabilities of LGUs and communities in creating databases at the local level to provide useful information for the design, targeting and impact monitoring of poverty reduction programs and development initiatives, such as the universalization of literacy, at the national level. Thus, with the institutionalization of ALS, this bill proposes to transfer the current LCC secretariat to the Bureau of Alternative Education for administrative and technical support. Further, to complement and maximize the CBMS, it proposes to mobilize local government units by establishing the Local School Boards (LSBs) as the de facto local literacy councils to provide the local support ecosystem for the newly renamed National Literacy Council. Finally, this legislation mandates the Council to formulate a three-year roadmap that shall incorporate strategies to achieve zero illiteracy, with relevant measurable targets and indicators for the introduction of interventions grounded in empirical results. A parallel framework shall be mirrored at the local level where the LSBs shall formulate a local roadmap, anchored on the Council's three-year roadmap, to guide their local strategies in achieving zero illiteracy in the community. I earnestly seek the immediate passage of this bill as we recognize the limitations of the law that it aims to repeal, and acknowledge the imperative

for a more radical reform to enable every advocate and stakeholder of literacy to fulfill the vision of literacy for all. Arealiou WIN GATCHALIAN

Erie of TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 15 P1:43 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN RENAMING THE LITERACY OORDINATING COUNCIL TO THE NATIONAL LITERACY COUNCIL, STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND STREAMLINING ITS MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING ITS LOCAL SUPPORT MECHANISMS, REPEALING FOR THE REPUBLIC PURPOSE ACT NO. 7165, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 the "National Literacy

Council Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 17 of the

1987 Constitution, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to give priority to education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. Article XIV, Section 2(4) likewise mandates the State to encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out- of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.

To this end, the State shall give priority to the adoption of measures for 2 the universalization of literacy.

Sec. 3. Renaming of the Literacy Coordinating Council. - The name of the

5 Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), established pursuant to Republic Act 6 (R.A.) No. 7165, as amended, is hereby changed to National Literacy Council, hereinafter referred to in this Act as the "Council". The Council shall serve as the lead inter-agency coordinating and advisory body to the various National Government Agencies (NGAs), the Local Government Units (LGUs), and the private sector on matters pertaining to the formulation of policies and the adoption and implementation of measures for the universalization of literacy. The Council shall be attached to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Sec. 4. Composition of the Council. - The Council shall be governed by

the following: (a) The Secretaries of Education and the Interior and Local Government, as Co-Chairpersons, who may designate their respective undersecretaries as permanent representatives; (b) The National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or a duly designated representative; (c) The Director of the Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) of the DepEd; (d) The President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; and (e) One (1) representative from the non-government organizations (NGOs). The NGO representative must be a citizen of the Philippines with demonstrated personal or professional commitment and advocacy in the propagation of literacy.

Through the adoption of a resolution, the Council shall approve and confirm the election of the NGO representative who shall serve for a term of three (3) years, subject to reappointment on the basis of merit and performance.

Sec. 5. Council Meetings. - The Council shall conduct its regular

meetings quarterly and may hold special meetings to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. The Council shall meet at any agreed location within the Philippines, and the presence of a majority of all its incumbent members shall constitute a quorum. The members of the Council shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to an appropriate honorarium for attendance at meetings as well as reasonable allowances and reimbursement of expenses related to their participation in the official activities of the Council, in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations. The duly designated representatives to the Council shall be afforded equal opportunity to vote and participate in any deliberation during meetings of the Council. They shall likewise be afforded, whenever necessary, reimbursement of any actual expenses incurred during the performance of Council-related functions and duties, subject to the provisions of existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall exercise

the following powers and functions: (a) Act as the lead advisory and coordinating body of the government and initiate, promote and recommend the adoption of policies for all literacy endeavors in the country, as well as the formulation of legislative agenda related to literacy; (b) Formulate a three-year roadmap that shall incorporate strategies on how to achieve zero illiteracy, including relevant measurable targets

and indicators for the introduction of interventions that are based on empirical results, and which shall be subject to annual review and updating to determine its implementation status and ensure that the objectives of this Act are achieved; (c) Set up and adopt schemes on how to organize and strengthen support structures for the LGUs identified as literacy advocates at the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels, including the adoption of strategies to maximize private sector support, cooperation and involvement on literacy programs, projects, and other related activities; (d) Promote and coordinate with NGAs, LGUs, NGOs, and academic institutions on matters concerning local community literacy mapping activities, consistent with the local generation and mapping of data related to education under R.A. No. 11510, otherwise known as the Alternative Learning System Act", and come up with a database for out-of-school children, youth and adults, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized and vulnerable members of society, who may not have availed of or completed their basic education and in need of intervention and support; (e) Coordinate with the PSA for the regular conduct of literacy surveys, such as the Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), every two years pursuant to Section 9 of this Act; (f) Evaluate the literacy situation in the country, propose ways and means for expanding educational opportunities to citizens of varied socio-economic origins, and adopt modern communications technology and other innovative modes of transmitting knowledge to support literacy endeavors at the national and local levels; (g) Promote and support initiatives for the conduct of research studies and similar undertakings aimed at enhancing and strengthening the crafting of relevant and timely policy recommendations and for the

effective implementation of literacy-related programs, projects, and other activities; (h) Organize periodic assemblies such as, among others, literacy conferences and awards, discover and help strengthen good literacy practices, and engage close partnerships with literacy advocates throughout the country; and (1) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 7. The Secretariat. - The BAE shall provide secretariat support and

render the following administrative support and technical assistance to the Council: (a) Prepare policy recommendations, plans, and other Council priorities and measures necessary for the advancement of basic and functional literacy, and other basic capabilities of out-of-school children, youth and adults, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized and vulnerable members of society, who may not have availed of or completed their basic education and in need of intervention and support; (b) Consult and coordinate with NGAs, LGUs, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders on matters relating to the functions of the Council and other matters pertaining to the propagation of literacy endeavors; (c) Provide technical assistance to literacy implementers relative to the programs and projects on literacy; (d) Initiate, organize, and promote the holding of research activities, workshops, conferences, national literacy awards and the like, subject to the approval of the Council; (e) Set up, maintain, and update a management information system on literacy programs and projects, policies, best practices, research

studies, statistical data and other relevant information relative to the literacy situation in the country; (f) Coordinate with the PSA in the conduct of the FLEMMS and other similar surveys for purposes of providing a quantitative framework that will serve as one of the bases in the formulation of policies and programs on the improvement of literacy and education status in the country; (g) Recommend programs, projects, and other activities to be included for funding in the annual budget proposal of the Council, including support services in the preparation of the Council's annual budget proposal; and (h) Perform other tasks as may be directed by the Council.

Sec. 8. Establishment of Local Literacy Councils through the Local School

Boards. - The Council shall promote the establishment of Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, which shall serve as the coordinating and advisory bodies at the local level on matters pertaining to the adoption and implementation of measures for the universalization of literacy. For this purpose, the Local School Boards (LSBs) established pursuant to R.A. No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991", as amended, shall act as the de facto LLCs in the provinces, cities and municipalities, with the following functions in addition to Section 9 thereof: (a) Formulate a local roadmap, anchored on the Council's three-year roadmap under Section 6 of this Act, to guide its strategies on how to achieve zero illiteracy in the community, based on empirical data and determined by relevant measurable targets and indicators, and subject to an annual implementation review and assessment; (b) Implement literacy programs and endeavors at the local level, including the identification of priority literacy programs, provision of technical assistance to literacy volunteer workers, program

monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with government and non-government partners for program support activities, among others; (c) Ensure the implementation of community literacy mapping activities within the local level through a community-based monitoring system, consistent with R.A. No. 11315 or the "Community-Based Monitoring System Act", to generate updated and disaggregated data on literacy and introduce literacy interventions and allocate resources based on empirical data; and (d) Coordinate with partner NGOs and other agencies of the government in the identification of out-of-school children, youth and adults, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized and vulnerable members of the community who are in need of literacy intervention and support, consistent with the local generation and mapping of data related to education under R.A. No. 11510, as well as the Child Find System under R.A. No. 11650. The Council shall issue the guidelines necessary for the establishment, monitoring, and evaluation of the LSBs as de facto LLCs.

Sec. 9. PSA Literacy Surveys. - To ensure an evidenced-based

formulation of policies and programs on the improvement and universalization of literacy in the country, the PSA is hereby mandated to: (a) Conduct the FLEMMS every two years; (b) Strengthen its core unit that is dedicated to the generation, analysis, utilization, and dissemination of all education and literacy statistics and information under R.A. No. 11315; (c) Develop and manage a nationwide database of such statistics and information; and (d) Coordinate with other government agencies whose mandates require the conduct of community mapping programs that are relevant to the education sector such as the Department of the Interior and

Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Sec. 10. Transfer of Existing LCC Secretariat and its Appropriations to

the BAE. - Pursuant to Section 7 of this Act, the existing secretariat of the 6 LCC, including the appropriations corresponding to their salaries and other 7 benefits, shall be transferred to and absorbed by the BAE of the DepEd: Provided, That such transfer shall neither cause any diminution in the salaries of the personnel concerned nor loss of rank and seniority: Provided, 10 Further, That the transfer of positions and corresponding appropriations to the BAE shall be subject to the guidelines to be jointly issued by the DepEd and the Department of Budget and Management.

Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial

implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the appropriation of the LCC under the current General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation shall be included in the budget of the DepEd under the annual GAA.

Sec. 12. Submission of Annual Report. - The Council shall submit to the

Senate Committee on Basic Education, and the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture a detailed annual report of its accomplishments which shall include, among others, its accomplishments, programs and projects, and policy recommendations for the universalization of literacy in the country.

Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the LCC, in consultation with the members of the Council and other stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations implementing its provisions.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - R.A. No. 7165, as amended by R.A. No.

2 10122 otherwise known as "An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating 3 Council by Amending R.A. No. 7165, Otherwise Known as 'An Act Creating 4 the Literacy Coordinating Council, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes", is hereby repealed. All other laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative orders, 7 rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 16. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this

Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 16 or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,