Supreme Court E-Library
Information At Your Fingertips

  View printer friendly version

---

Introduced by Councilor JULIENNE ALYSON RAE V. MEDALLA.

Co-Introduced by Councilors Anthony Peter D. Crisologo, Ricardo T. Belmonte, Jr., Dorothy A. Delarmente, Lena Marie P. Juico, Victor V.               Ferrer, Jr., Alexis R. Herrera, Precious Hipolito Castelo, Voltaire Godofredo L. Liban III, Roderick M. Paulate, Ranulfo Z. Ludovica, Ramon P. Medalla, Allan Benedict S. Reyes, Gian Carlo G. Sotto, Franz S. Pumaren, Eufemio C. Lagumbay, Jose Mario Don S. De Leon, Jaime F. Borres, Jesus Manuel C. Suntay, Marvin C. Rillo, Vincent DG. Belmonte, Raquel S. Malañgen, Jessica Castelo Daza, Bayani V. Hipol, Jose A. Visaya, Godofredo T. Uban II, Andres Jose G. Yllana, Jr., Allan  Butch T. Francisco, Karl Edgar C. Castelo, Candy A. Medina, Marivic Co-Pilar, Rogelio "Roger" P. Juan, Melencio "Bobby" T. Castelo, Jr., Donato C. Matias and Ricardo B. Corpuz.

---

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution gives priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development;

WHEREAS, Article XIV, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that the State shall 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;

WHEREAS, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) refers to a parallel learning system to provide a viable alternative to the existing formal education. It encompasses both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills;

WHEREAS, recent research on prison education programs presents discouraging statistics on the current recidivism rate (the rate of the habitual relapse into crime). The US Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) reported in 2011 that nearly 7 in 10 people who were formerly incarcerated will commit anew crime, and half will end up back in prison within 3 years;

WHEREAS, given that 95 out of every 100 incarcerated people eventually rejoin society, it is crucial that programs and tools are developed to effectively reduce recidivism. According to studies by the IHEP in 2005, the best way to reduce the instances of recidivisms through education during incarceration;

WHEREAS, since 2005, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has been implementing the ALS program of the Department of Education-Bureau of Alternative Learning System (DepEd-BALS);

WHEREAS, all funding for the conduct of the Quezon City Jail (QCJ) ALS Program are sourced through solicitations which has become an increasing challenge each year;

WHEREAS, the QCJ believes that Education is the best solution to prevent detainees from returning to a life of crime upon their release;

WHEREAS, institutionalization of the ALS in the QCJ will solidify the solution for recidivism.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF QUEZON CITY IN REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLED,

SECTION 1. TITLE. - This Ordinance shall be known as the "Quezon City Jail - Alternative Learning System Program (QCJ ALS)."

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. - It is the policy of the City to ensure that prisoners incarcerated in the QCJ, whether by virtue of a detention order, warrant of arrest or by conviction, are given access to adequate and sufficient education through DepEd's ALS program to prevent recidivism.

SECTION 3. INSTITUTIONALIZATION. - The QCJ under the QCJ's Inmates Welfare and Development Unit (IWDU) shall annually facilitate to both the male and female dormitories the ALS Program.

SECTION 4. DUTIES. - The QCJ in implementing this Ordinance shall perform the following tasks:

1. Formulate the basic policies of the QCJ ALS program;
   
   
2. Identify a makeshift ALS classroom;
   
   
3. Administer and supervise the implementation (such as, but not limited to, the admission of learners, delivery of instruction, and graduation) of a comprehensive, cohesive, and consistent ALS program in its male and female dormitories in coordination with the DepEd and the Quezon City Division of City Schools (QC DCS);
   
   
4. Formulate, adopt and supplement schemes and systems that will be most effective and productive for the QCJ ALS program in compliance with DepEd guidelines;
   
   
5. Comply with DepEd's guidelines and policies;
   
   
6. Submit an annual report to members of the Local School Board.
   
   
7. Conduct a yearly assessment to determine ways to further improve the implementation of the QCJ ALS program.

SECTION 5. COMPOSITION. - The QCJ ALS program shall be implemented by the following personnel.

 

Designation	Designated Personnel	Function
ALS Center Manager	Jail Warden	Coordinate with the DepEd, QC DCS and other government and non-government institutions in the fulfilment of the QCJ ALS program.
ALS Officer-in-Charge	Chief of Inmates Welfare and Development Unit	Be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the QCJ ALS program and the maintenance of the structures, equipment, properties, supplies, and materials used in its implementation.
Instructional Manager	DepEd trained BJMP Personnel/QC Division of City School's designated Mobile Teacher/Volunteer Teachers of Facilities	Be in charge of the implementation of the ALS Curriculum of DepEd through the conduct of classes; facilitate module learning, reviews, and tests; and assist the ALS Officer-in-Charge in the enlistment/evaluation of learners and the updating of academic records.
Teaching Assistants	Volunteer detainees with college level education	Assist the Instructional Managers in the implementation of the ALS curriculum of DepEd

Other personnel maybe designated by the lawful authority of the detention facility to aid in the conduct of the ALS program.

The Instructional Managers must be qualified to instruct and manage the ALS Curriculum as determined by the QC DCS.  The latter may also coordinate with the DepEd, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and/or any University or College to ensure the constant supply of Instructional Managers.

SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATIVE AND CURRICULAR SUPERVISION. - The DCS, through the Division Supervisor, shall have administrative supervision over the persons Implementing the ALS program.  The ALS Coordinator shall closely coordinate and consult all matters related to the program with the QC DCS, through the Division Supervisor.

The QC DCS shall also have curricular supervision on all ALS programs/projects that are implemented in each detention facility.  It may also recommend to the ALS Coordinator the Instructional Manager/s who will handle the ALS program.

SECTION 7. EXPENDITURES. - Maintenance and operating expenses of the ALS program shall include;

1. Office Set-up (Equipment and Supplies);
   
   
2. Learners materials and other learning supplies/materials;
   
   
3. Teaching modules/aid/materials;
   
   
4. Accreditation and Equivalency Exams;
   
   
5. Graduation Ceremonies expense;
   
   
6. Training of ALS Officer-in-Charge and Instructional Manager/s;
   
   
7. Repair and maintenance of the classroom;
   
   
8. ALS Officer-in-Charge and Instructional Manager/s' honorarium and transportation expense;

SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION. - The appropriate annual budget necessary to achieve the purpose of this Ordinance, as prepared by the QCJ in coordination with the QC DCS shall be chargable against any appropriate budgetary allocations in the General or Special
Education Fund.

SECTION 9. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The QCJ, in coordination with the QC DCS, is hereby authorized to issue the implementing rules and regulations not otherwise in contravention with the provisions hereof and guided by the principles of efficiency and expediency in conducting the ALS in the QCJ mate and female dormitories.

The QC DCS, in partnership with the QCJ, at its sound discretion, is additionally authorized to conduct inspections of the detention facilities to ensure that adequate facilities are made available for the implementation of this Ordinance.

SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If any part or section of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional for any reason whatsoever, such declaration shall not in any way affect the other parts or sections of this Ordinance.

SECTION 11. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All ordinances, resolutions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other administrative issuances, or the provisions thereof, which are contrary to or inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. EFFECTIVITY. - This ordinance shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

ENACTED:  June 23, 2014.


ATTESTED:

(Sgd.) ATTY. JOHN THOMAS S. ALFEROS III
                  City Gov't Asst. Dept. Head III


CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this Ordinance was APPROVED by the City Council on Second Reading on June 23, 2014 and we PASSED on Third/Final Reading on June 30, 2014.