Republic 06f the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8118

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric
M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, and Dale "Along" R. Malapitan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As @ manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past and present
(Rep. Harlin Neil J. Abayon III's HB 7874) Congress.

Public schools nationwide should be equipped with all the necessary precautionary measures
that will ensure and safeguard the health and safety of every student. This bill aims to establish the
School Health and Safety Office (SHSO) in each public schoo! that will be handled and supervised by
‘qualified and certified personnel

The primary responsibilities of the SHSO will include the supervision of the school canteen
and campus security, the implementation of schoo! nutrition programs and immunization campaigns,
and the primary handling of the numerous other related non-teaching roles and functions that will be
vested upon the SHSO of each public school, including state universities and colleges, and public
technical- vocational schools by their respective school administration.

Currently, the state of those aforementioned responsibilities in schools are lacking, and in
‘some cases, either inadequate, or borderline, non-existing. Public schools are lacking personnel that
directly oversee and administrate these important aspects of service that students should be receiving
as part of their right to Health. They should always be assured that student safety is of paramount
concern while within the confines of what they consider as their second home.

This bill seeks to address crucial and pertinent health, safety, and security issues that are
currently being experienced by the different schools nationwide.

In view of the foregoing, the favorable consideration and approval of this proposed measure is
respectfully and most earnestly sought.

7 (a)

EI y” NIETO _ABRIC MARTINEZ
Ba Mudagt—

DALE "ALONG" MALAPITAN
EDWARD VERA PEREZ MACEDA

Fun oe j FEDERICO II "RICKY" SANDOVAL



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS:
Third Regular Session
8118

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric
M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, and Dale "Along" R. Malapitan

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICE IN EVERY PUBLIC
SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDSTHEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "School Health and Safety Act of
2018”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State, protect the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them and to promote a just and dynamic
social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from
poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all

Section 3. School Health and Safety Office. There is hereby established a School Health and
Safety Office, hereinafter referred to as SHSO, in every public school, including state universities and
colleges and public technical-vocational schools.

‘The SHSO shall be attached to the Office of the School Head for the Basic Education
‘Schools, and to the Vice President/Assistant Dean or Director for Administration for the Technical-
Vocational and Higher Education Schools.

Section 4. Roles, Functions, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities. The SHSO shall have
these primary roles, functions, responsibilities, and accountabilities:

1. Formulate, recommend to the school head for approval, and implement the following
policies, programs and projects involving and affecting the students, faculty, and non-
teaching personnel of the school: (1) Comprehensive Schoo! Health Management Program;
(2) Child Protection Policy; and (3) School Security, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness
Management Program,

2. Participate in the formulation and implementation of the Campus Crisis Management Plan;

3. Lead in the implementation of all school nutrition, immunization, dental extraction,
reproductive health, and other on-campus health care activities;


4, Serve as first responders to medical, safety, and security emergencies and incidents on
‘campus and within the immediate one hundred meters vicinity of the campus,

5. Conduct first aid training and drills,

6. Oversee the management and operation of school canteens;

7. Maintain and secure health, consultation, and counseling records according to standards set
by the Department of Education, National Privacy Commission, Department of Health, and
Department of Social Welfare and Development,

8. Oversee and secure safekeeping of any hazardous chemicals and flammable liquids,

9. Protect the campus from any security threats and intruders;

10, Manage the daily operation of the campus closed-circuit television (CCTV) system and
emergency communications devices,

11. Conduct daily fire safety and hazards checks throughout the campus;
12. Supervise and coordinate fire, earthquake, evacuation, and campus lockdown drills,

13, Implement security and safety searches for firearms, bladed weapons, and devices that can
‘cause serious physical injuries, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, and other contraband;

14, Call for response units from the local Barangay Office, Philippine National Police, and
Bureau of Fire Protection;

15. Conduct research and surveys relevant and related to the functions of the SHSO;

16. Assist in the classroom teaching of subjects and modules within the competencies and
specializations of the SHSO personnel;

17. Participate in the administration of educational tests mandated by the Department of
Education;

18, Attend professional development training and competencies updating/upgrading courses;
19. Prepare the budget of the SHSO and implement the approved budget; and

20. Follow government accounting and auditing rules and regulations, the SHSO shall
maintain, safe keep, and account for all funds, equipment, furniture, fixtures, supplies, and
other inventory items entrusted to, assigned to, and used by the SHSO.

‘The SHSO shall perform such other related or secondary functions as may be assigned to
them by the principal, acting principal, or officer in charge of the school

Section 5. Complement of SHSO personnel. - Professional personnel of the SHSO must
possess the requisite civil service qualifications and license to practice their profession from the
Professional Regulation Commission. Personnel not required to possess PRC license must have
appropriate competencies certification from duly-accredited or authorized institutions. The number of
full-time SHSO personnel in a public school shall be determined by student population size as
follows


For a public school, extension campus, and branch with student population of up to one
thousand:

‘one (1) medical doctor

one (1) nurse,

one (1) dental hygienist;

‘one (1) nutritionist,

one (1) guidance counselor or psychologist;
‘one (1) electrician;

two (2) security guards, and

two (2) utility workers.

ery aVeene

For a public school with student population ranging from more than one thousand but no more than
three thousand
cone (1) medical doctor
two (2) nurses;
two (2) doctors of dental medicine;
one (1) nutritionist;
one (1) social worker,
one (1) guidance counselor or psychologist;
one (1) electrician;
three (3) security guards; and
two (2) utility workers.

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For a public schoo! with student population of more than three thousand:

1. two (2) medical doctors,

2. three (3) nurses;

3. two (2) doctors of dental medicine;

4, two (2) nutritionists;

5. two (2) social workers;

6. two (2) guidance counselors or psychologists;
7. one (1) psychometrician;

8. three (3) emergency medical technicians,
9. four (4) security guards,

10. two (2) electricians;

11. three (3) utility workers, and

12, three (3) volunteer firefighters.

‘Subject to availability of funds and absolute necessity, the school head may augment, but not
decrease the number of SHSO personnel provided in this Act, through job order or contract of service.

Section 6. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Subject to the approval of the Department of
Budget and Management, the Department shall determine its organizational structure and create new
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees of the
Department in accordance with the civil service law, rules, and regulations

Section 7. Separation and Retirement from Service. - Employees who are separated from
service within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act as a result of the consolidation and/or
reorganization under the provisions of this Act shall receive separation benefits to which they may he
entitled under Executive Order No. 366, s. 2004: Provided, that those who are qualified to retire under
existing retirement laws shall be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they may
be entitled under applicable laws and issuances.


Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the agencies abolished by this Act and all
agencies herein absorbed by the Department. The current budgets of the agencies attached to the
Department shall remain intact for the current year. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation
and maintenance of the Department shall be included in the General Appropriations Act

Section 9. Separability. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and
effect

Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, and administrative orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 11, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the online version of the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation or with established inteet website presence.

Approved,