Parliament

of the

Republic of the Philippines

PROPOSED ACT OF PARLIAMENT No.

(MWF 11:30 AM 12:30 PM ID # 140164)
Proposed by
Teddy Casino as PRIMARY SPONSOR
and Antonio Trillanes IV as SECONDARY SPONSOR

AN ACT
Providing Increased Protection to Alternative Learning
Centers from Harassment and Violence and
Instrumentalization
Be it enacted by the Members of the Parliament of the Republic of the Philippines
assembled:

SECTION 1: Short Title -

This act shall be known as the ALC Protection
act
SECTION 2: Declaration of State Policy
In accordance with the constitutionally mandated duty of the State
to provide for the wellbeing of all its citizens especially in terms of
education, this act aims to support, develop and protect Alternative
Learning Centers which provide access to education in many
underdeveloped and impoverished regions of the Philippines, particularly
those that cater to lumad populations. This act aims to defend these
institutions from all threats of violence and coercion that may harm and
violent the rights of indigenous peoples to education, a right that cannot
be withheld from any human being.

SECTION 3: Definition of Terms Alternative Learning Centers - These institutions provide access to
education in places where the traditional curriculum cannot be applied as
in the case of lumads with respect to cultural and material differences.
Lumads - Indigenous peoples that inhabit the Philippines.
SECTION 4: ALCs as protected sanctuaries
Alternative Learning Centers are to be declared sanctuaries meaning that
these centers, as they provide native populations access to education,
must not be the subject of deliberate aggression from both State and
non-State actors, as armed conflict and an atmosphere of fear and
violence will rob people, especially the youth, of their right to learning
SECTION 5: ALCs as non-partisan institutions
In the pursuit of the commitment to education, ALCs are to become
neutral spaces for discourse and freedom of speech and thought. None
may be used to further any agenda except for the prosperity and freedom
of the people from all forms of exploitation and oppression.
SECTION 6: Protection of ALCs
In the event of armed conflict and an ALC is caught in the crossfire,
security forces are prohibited to use the ALC as a base of operations. In
the event of an occupation of the building/s by rebel factions, assaulting
or damaging the building in any way may be done. However, security
forces must vacate the ALC as soon as possible to allow for the
resumption of normal affairs. Occupations may not last more than 7 days
unless deemed necessary by the commanding officer in command of the
troops occupying the building.
SECTION 7:
Separability Clause.
-
The provision of this Act are hereby
declared to be separable from, and independent of, one another and that
should one or moreof such provisions be declared unconstitutional, the
validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 8:
Repealing Clause.
-
All laws, decrees, executive issuances,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
and/or modified accordingly.
SECTION 9:
Effectivity Clause.
-
This Act shall take effect immediately
upon its approval.
Approved,