Tingog Party-list Representative Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and House Majority Leader and Leyte Representative Martin G. Romualdez welcome the enactment of the Republic Act 11510, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night.

Also known as the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Act, the newly approved law shall provide educational opportunities to students with disabilities, out-of-school children, and adults who seek to accomplish basic education in all cities and municipalities in the country.

“The enactment into law of the Alternative Learning System Act is a win for the millions of out-of-school children, youth, and adult learners, as well as Madrasah students, indigenous peoples, learners with disabilities, and other marginalized sectors. This law will strengthen the State support and mechanisms so our learners will be able to complete the appropriate and functional literacy, life skills and basic education they deserve,” Rep. Yedda, chairperson of the House committee on welfare of children and a principal author of the measure, said.

“The passage of this priority measure of Tingog party-list is a signal of hope for the future of our marginalized learners. But more importantly, this is a signal that we have to work harder to ensure that our learners would directly benefit from this law and that the long-term goals of this measure will be realized,” she added.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Romualdez is positive that the ALS will bring about positive results among its beneficiaries.

“President Duterte’s approval of this measure is consistent with his commitment to improve the lives of the Filipino people, especially our learners who wanted to pursue non-formal education. This is a step towards the fulfillment of our goal to provide education for all,” Rep. Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules said.

“Through this law, the government will not just support our ‘out-of-school children in special cases’ and adults, but also ALS teachers,” he added.

Aside from the establishment of learning centers across the country, ALS also aims to provide competitive salaries among teachers who are participating in the program, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission.