Pursuant to Section 8 of R.A. No. 7165, as amended by R.A. No. 10122, the following Implementing Rules and Regulations are hereby prescribed to carry out the provisions of this Act.

RULE I
  PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. These Rules shall be known as the “Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 10122,” the Literacy Coordinating Council law.

SEC. 2. Purpose. These Rules are promulgated to prescribe the guidelines for the implementation of the Literacy Coordinating Council law taking into account Republic Act No. 7165, as amended by Republic Act No. 10122.

SEC. 3 Declaration of Policy. These Rules shall be interpreted to conform to the Declaration of Policy found in Section 1 of Republic Act No. 10122:

“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to give the highest priority to the adoption of measures for the universalization of literacy.

Toward this end, it shall encourage and rationalize the formulation of policies and the implementation of programs on nonformal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.

The State shall institutionalize an inter-agency coordinating and advisory body to synchronize and strengthen policies and efforts toward the universalization of literacy.”

RULE II
  CREATION/COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL

SEC. 4. Creation of the Council. There is hereby created a Literacy Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall be an inter-agency body administratively attached to the Department of Education.

The Council, as an inter-agency body shall be an independent entity distinct from its member agencies. Being administratively attached to Department of Education (DepEd) shall mean that the Council and its Secretariat shall hold office in DepEd and its budget shall be attached to the DepEd’s budget. However, its operations and maintenance shall be independently determined by the Council.

SEC. 5. Composition. The Council shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), as the Chairperson, who may designate an undersecretary as his/her permanent representative;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or his/her duly designated representative;

(c) The President of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) or his/her duly designated representative;

(d) The Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) or his/her duly designated representative;

(e) The Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or his/her duly designated representative;

(f) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture or his/her duly designated representative;

(g) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture or his/her duly designated representative; and

(h) A representative from the network of non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in the propagation of literacy.

SEC. 6. The NGO Representative. The Council shall approve and confirm the appointment of representative from the NGOs, who shall serve for a period of three (3) years, subject to reappointment for another one (1) term

For this purpose, guidelines for the appointment of such NGO representative shall be prescribed by the Council.

SEC. 7. Council Meeting. The Council shall meet regularly and may hold special meetings to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chairperson or any five (5) Council members.

SEC. 8. Privileges of Designated Representatives. The duly designated representatives or the alternate representatives to the Council shall be afforded equal opportunity to vote and participate in any deliberation during meetings of the Council.

Likewise, they shall be afforded, whenever necessary, reimbursement of any actual expenses incurred during the Council-related functions and duties, subject to the provisions of existing laws and/or pertinent rules and regulations.

RULE III
  POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL

SEC. 9. The Council shall have the following powers and functions:

SEC. 9.1 Act as the overall advisory and coordinating body, providing policy and program directions for all literacy endeavors in the country;

SEC. 9.2 Engage the services, expertise and resources, including but not limited to, cooperation, assistance and support of appropriate government agencies or NGOs involved in literacy;

SEC. 9.3 Recommend strategies on the development of a mass movement for the promotion of life skills and education towards the universalization of literacy;

SEC. 9.4 Monitor and evaluate the literacy situation in the country, including all literacy programs and projects, and establish and maintain a national data bank and information exchange and dissemination system to support literacy efforts at the national and local levels;

SEC. 9.5 Assist in identifying and adopting successful management schemes of literacy programs, and adopt measures to boost research and development work in literacy, by government agencies and NGOs involved in literacy work;

SEC. 9.6 Formulate policies towards maximizing public and private sector support and involvement on literacy programs, projects, and activities;

SEC. 9.7 Propose measures on how to organize and strengthen support structures for literacy at the regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels; and

SEC. 9.8 Perform such other functions as may be necessary in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

RULE IV
  ROLE OF MEMBER AGENCIES

SEC. 10. Role of Member Agencies. The Council shall be supported by its member agencies in the following areas:

SEC. 10.1 Department of Education (DepEd)

(a) Provide the Council with information on research findings and programs/projects outcomes for information and utilization in policy formulation;

(b) Provide technical assistance to local government units (LGUs), NGOs and other government organizations (GOs) on the sustainability of literacy efforts; and

(c)Issue sectoral policies/announcements congruent with LCC policies on the universalization of literacy.

SEC. 10.2 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

(a) Issue appropriate issuances on the universalization of literacy congruent with that of the Council;

(b) Ensure the integration of literacy in all development plans, programs and advocacies at the local level through policy issuances and resolutions, among others; and

(c)Update the Council regarding activities undertaken which concern literacy endeavours in the community. 

SEC. 10.3 Philippine Normal University (PNU)

(a) Lead in mobilizing the academic community to support efforts to achieve universal literacy, including conduct of research on teachers’ KAVs in literacy skills development;

(b) Provide technical assistance to other members of the academic community on promotion of literacy; and

(c)Inform the Council on activities undertaken by academic community concerning literacy promotion.

SEC. 10.4 Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

(a) Lead in supporting the advocacy efforts of the Council from the national down to the local levels; and

(b) Develop advocacy materials and programs that strengthen literacy endeavours intended for various target audience.

SEC. 10.5 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

(a) Ensure the inclusion of literacy policies and priorities in the national and regional development plans;

(b) Assist in identifying possible sources of funds and other forms of support for literacy programs and projects;

(c)Advise the Council on related policies and development programs; and

(d) Provide technical assistance to the Secretariat as directed by the Council.

SEC. 10.6 Senate Committee on Education and House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture

(a) Formulate national policies and standards in terms of programs and policy directions on literacy;

(b) Assist in the review and/or amendment of existing laws/issuances for an effective system of literacy efforts; and

(c)Perform oversight function by investigating and evaluating the execution and effectiveness of laws, including pertinent implementing rules and regulations, the principal subject matter of which are within its jurisdiction, to determine whether such laws are being carried out in accordance with the intent of Congress and the necessity of proposing new or amendatory legislation;

SEC. 10.7 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

(a) Develop linkages with LGUs for community-based literacy development programs; and

(b) Impart insights to the Council regarding literacy efforts from civil society perspective.

RULE V
  THE SECRETARIAT

SEC. 11. Secretariat Organization. There is hereby organized a Council Secretariat to be headed by a Chief-of-Office who shall be designated by the Council as Executive Director. The Council shall create permanent plantilla positions for the Secretariat and shall likewise determine the Secretariat’s qualifications, duties, responsibilities and functions as well as the compensation for the positions to be created subject to the National Compensation and Classification Plan and other existing civil service rules and regulations.

The Council may also engage the services of contractuals, consultants and such other seasonal employees as the need arises.

In organizing the Secretariat, priority for appointment shall be extended to the Council Secretariat staffs who are serving the Council at the time of the effectivity of this Act. Such employees shall likewise be extended permanent status, subject to existing civil service rules and regulations.

SEC. 12. Selection Board. The Council shall form and authorize its own selection board for hiring and promotion purposes. Members of the board shall be chosen by Council members as their authorized representatives. The duly designated board representatives shall not necessarily be their designated/alternate representatives to the Council.

SEC. 13. Compensation and Benefits. The amount necessary for the payment of employees’ salaries, benefits and other emoluments shall be taken from the annual appropriations of the Council: Provided, That such obligations shall not exceed forty per centum (40%) of its total annual appropriations.

SEC. 14. Functions of the Secretariat. The Secretariat shall carry out the following functions:

SEC. 14.1 Assist the Council in developing criteria, guidelines, designs and procedures for the preparation, appraisal and monitoring of programs and projects on literacy;

SEC. 14.2 Assist the Council on overseeing the effective implementation of all literacy programs and projects and other related activities contracted to other agencies/organizations/groups;

SEC. 14.3 Provide technical assistance to literacy implementers relative to the programs and projects on literacy;

SEC. 14.4 Assist the Council in monitoring the implementation of literacy programs and projects and suggest modifications, when necessary;

SEC. 14.5 Draft policies on literacy for review and approval of the Council;

SEC. 14.6 Prepare periodic annual targets and reports and ensure that these reports are efficient and accurate;

SEC. 14.7 Provide and facilitate the requirements of the Council in terms of human resources, budget, and other related logistical support services;

SEC. 14.8 Maintain and update the management information system (MIS) on literacy policies, programs and projects; and 

SEC. 14.9 Perform such other functions as may be required by the Council.

RULE VI
APPROPRIATIONS/ANNUAL REPORT

SEC. 15. Appropriations. The sum of Twenty million pesos (Php20,000.000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the functions of the Council under this Act. Thereafter, the sum needed for the continued operation and maintenance of the Council shall be included in the annual Budget of the DepEd.

The Council Secretariat shall prepare its annual budget, subject to the approval of the Council.

SEC. 16. Informing Congress. The Council shall submit to Congress an annual report which shall include, among other things, policy recommendations which require legislative action towards the total eradication of illiteracy.

RULE VII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. If any provision of these Rules or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the other provisions of these Rules, and the application of such provisions or Rules to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. If any part, Section or provision of these Rules is declared unconstitutional, the other parts, Sections or provisions thereof not affected shall remain in force and in effect.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. These Rules shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) DR. RAMON C. BACANI
  Undersecretary, Department of Education
Chairperson, Literacy Coordinating Council

(SGD.) HON. AUSTERE A. PANADERO
  Undersecretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government
Co-Chairman, Literacy Coordinating Council

(SGD.) HON. DEL R. DE GUZMAN
  Chairperson, Committee on Basic Education & Culture
Philippine House of Representatives

(SGD.) SEC. CONRADO A. LIMCAOCO, JR.
  Director-General
  Philippine Information Agency

(SGD.) DR. EDNA B. AZURIN
  Representative
  Non-Government Organization

(SGD.) HON. ERLINDA M. CAPONES
  Director, Social Development Staff
  National Economic & Development Authority