Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL WO. 680 7

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7977, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“AN ACT TO LENGTHEN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FROM TWO HUNDRED
(200) DAYS TO NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED TWENTY (220) CLASS DAYS”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, various governments,
including our own, locked down cities and provinces bringing everything to a halt.
These lockdowns resulted to prolonged school closures and this unprecedented
response has led the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) to declare the COVID-19 Pandemic as no longer just a public

health crisis, but also a major education crisis.

1.2 Billion learners across the globe and at least 28,451,212 primary,
secondary, and tertiary learners in the country have been negatively affected because
of these measures. But after more than two (2) months of being under Enhanced
Community Quarantine measures, the transmission of the virus is not showing any
sign of slowing down. The situation is making students, their parents, and even
teachers and school administrators anxious to open the new school year, which,
according to Republic Act No. 7797 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from
‘Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days,”
must begin on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.


Before the school year begins, we must ensure that the school premises and
other places frequented by students is safe and virus-free. However, the uncertainty
of the spread of the virus is threatening the opening of the school year.

With this bill, a remedial measure that seeks to amend Section 3 of Republic
‘Act No. 7797, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the
Department of Education, will be given the flexibility to adjust the start of the date
of the school year in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency, state of
calamity, or similar occurrence, which includes this COVID-19 Pandemic. This
means that before we open our schools to a very vulnerable sector we can ensure
that they are safe; because while the education of our youth is very important, their
health is equally vital.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 8807

—_—_—— Sse
Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

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AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7797, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“AN ACT TO LENGTHEN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FROM TWO HUNDRED
(200) DAYS TO NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED TWENTY (220) CLASS DAYS”

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7797, otherwise known as “An Act
to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than
‘Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days,” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 3 Start of the School Year. - The school year shall start on the first
Monday of June but not later than the last day of August, PROVIDED THAT,
IN THE EVENT OF A DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY, STATE
OF CALAMITY OR SIMILAR OCCURRENCE, THE PRESIDENT, UPON THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, MAY SET UP
A DIFFERENT DATE FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY
OR PARTS THEREOF.”

In the implementation of this Act, the Secretary of Education [Culture
and-Sports] shall determine the end of the regular school year, taking into
consideration the Christmas and summer vacations, and the peculiar

circumstances of each region.

In the exercise of this authority, the Secretary of Education [,Culture-and
Sports] may authorize the holding of Saturday classes for elementary and
secondary levels for public and private schools.


SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, shall formulate and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for its effective implementation.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be
held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent
with, or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, or
repealed accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,