FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__ 3320
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to add additional subjects to the current curricula of our
schools in the country. These include subjects on indigenous people;
gardening; climate change; culture, peace and solidarity, computer courses;
intellectual property; and Philippine society & environment.

1. Since our country is divided into different regions with different cultures and
there are indigenous communities with distinct cultures and traditions,
indigenous peoples’ cultures should be respected and protected

However, our indigenous cultures and traditions are not being passed
‘on to younger generations due to several factors such as lack of indigenous
education. Indigenous education is not a significant part of our curricula.
Indigenous people do not take part in designing it. Indigenous education has
insufficient financial support from the government.

The lack of indigenous education would continue to set indigenous
youth apart from their own cultures. Education is the key to self-
determination. More importantly, education would eliminate prejudice and
discrimination.

2. In view of the food crisis facing our country today, as well the burgeoning
number of malnourished school children, it is high time to restore gardening
as part of the curriculum of elementary and high school to educate the
students and to encourage them to start growing their own vegetables as a
source of food.

3. In the Philippines, the rapid population growth in the country has increased
the consumption of natural resources and has contributed to water and air
pollution which lead to climate change. Massive forest degradation is also
attributed to the tremendous pressure from an increasing population. Forest
and agricultural lands are also converted into residential areas to
accommodate the surplus of people.

The Filipino people may not yet be fully aware of the dire
consequences of climate change but we play a vital role in the protection,
conservation and replenishment of the environment. Much of the population is
Not conscious about global warming on account of the absence of adequate
information about the environment. Hence, efforts must be made to inform
and educate the people to make them aware of the importance of ecological
conservation and protection to avert climate change.


4, Basic and secondary education mold the character of every individual. It is
in school where we learn the values of appreciating the diverse culture while
respecting each culture's individuality and shaping the character of every
human being

On account of the variety of cultural background among the Filipino
people, it is unavoidable that the differences in attitude and perspective
sometimes cause the deterioration of peace and order in the country. Thus,
there is a real need to include a subject that will promote peace and solidarity
among our people so that there will be more understanding of the ethnicity,
customs and way of life of every cultural group. In so doing, there will be
genuine and lasting peace which will pave the way for the economic
development in the country.

5. In this era of advanced science, more and more countries rely on the
usefulness of computer technology in their respective developmental pursuits.
Computer knowledge has now evolved from a fad to an absolute necessity in
the real world

In every profession or business center, demands for computer-
proficient personnel have been increasing in tremendous proportions.
Considering these changing times towards the advancement of science and
technology, there is an imperative need for us to meet and adapt to these
demands.

Now, more than ever, is the time to train our children towards the
demands of the future. We must prepare them for the vicious battle for
survival in the next decades to come by providing them a legacy of a stable
educational foundation lest we deem to be oblivious and unconcerned on the
future of our children, the leaders of tomorrow. The mandatory instruction of
computer is the first step toward this direction.

6. In spite and despite of various laws and regulations in the Philippines on
Intellectual Property, intellectual infringement and piracy of intellectual rights
are rampant in the country. The provisions of the laws are derogated if not
circumvented. Due to these situations, the Philippines is under the watch list
as one of the countries where intellectual property rights are ignored and
piracy of intellectual creations is widespread

It is therefore imperative that the importance of copyright be imparted
to our citizenry at an early age as well as later in life. It may be the desired
precondition that may convert the Philippines into one of the knowledge based

centers. With proper education it is hoped that piracy will be curtailed and our
laws will be strictly implemented.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
requested. .

RUFU$ B. RODGIGUEZ

MAXIMO 8. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _—)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

3320

House Bill No._

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE NEW SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULA OF SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

SECTION 1. Inclusion of Indigenous Education in the School Curriculum - To
protect and develop indigenous cultures and traditions in each locality if
present, the Department of Education shall include indigenous education in
the curriculum of the respective schools. The curriculum shalll include the
dialect, songs, dances and other traditions of the indigenous people in the
area.

SEC. 2. Inclusion of Gardening in the School Curriculum - Gardening shall be
a part of the elementary and high school curriculum in all public and private
institutions. All vacant lots of public and private elementary and high schools
shall be planted with vegetables by the administrators, faculty and students of
the school

SEC. 3. inclusion of Climate Change Subjects in the Schoo! Curriculum. —
The subject on climate change shall be integrated in the curricula in all
elementary, secondary and collegiate schools in the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Inclusion of the Subject on Culture, Peace and Solidarity in the
Schoo! Curriculum. — An additional subject on Culture, Peace and Solidarity is
hereby integrated in the curricula of all elementary and secondary schools to
promote peace and dialogue among the Filipino people.

SEC. 5. Inclusion of Computer Subjects in the School Curriculum. - The
teaching of computer subjects is hereby mandatorily included as an additional
subject for all students in elementary and high school both in public and
private schools.

SEC. 6. inclusion of intellectual Property in the School Curriculum. - The
teaching of intellectual property ownership, particularly copyright law is hereby


required to be a part of the curriculum of all primary, secondary and tertiary
schools in the country.

SEC. 7. Inclusion of Subjects on Philippine Society and the Environment in
the Schoo! Curriculum. -

a. The teaching of the inter-relationship, appreciation, conservation,
rehabilitation, promotion and development of the environment shall be
included in the curricula of all public and private elementary and secondary
schools, including non-formal, indigenous learning and out-of-school youth
program,

b. The environment shall refer to the bio-physical world of human
beings, the maritime, fluvial, and aerial domains, the mineral, coal, petroleum
oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, flora and fauna and all other
natural resources.

c. There is hereby created a course with a proposed title “The
Philippine Society and its Environment’ which shall be added to the
elementary and secondary school level curriculum. In addition to the teaching
of the inter-relationship appreciation, conservation, rehabilitation, promotion
and development of environment, the course shall likewise include the
teaching of environmental laws in the Philippines.

SEC. 8. Appropriations: — The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken
from the appropriations of the Department of Education (DepEd). Thereafter,
such sum which may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education shall

promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of the
provisions of this Act

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part
thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable
from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,