Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bi no._4670

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A World Bank study concluded that the teachers are the single most important
factor in the education of students.indeed, teachers possess a great power to
influence, and as studies show, they can clearly shape our country's future. They
can impact how much students will ultimately eam, or prepare the next great mind to
change the world

Thus, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) inaugurated World Teachers Day in 1994 to focus attention on the
contributions and achievements of teachers, and to highlight teachers’ concerns and
priorities regarding education. October 5 was selected as the date to intemationally
celebrate teachers because on that date in 1966 a special intergovernmental
conference adopted the UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of
teachers. For the first time, this recommendation gave teachers throughout the world
an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights. In adopting
this recommendation, governments, unanimously recognized the importance for
society to have competent, qualified and motivated teachers.

Following this UNESCO declaration, many countries in the world started to
officially celebrate their own teachers’ day. But there were countries which declared
national teachers' day even prior to the UNESCO declaration, like Malaysia in 1956,
Thailand in 1957, and Vietnam in 1958, to name a few.

However, the Philippines, which has more than half a million-strong teaching
force in public elementary and secondary education alone, has no official celebration
of Teachers’ Day aside from the token commemoration of October § as World
Teachers’ Day.



It is, therefore, the intention of this bill to make such official declaration making
October 5 of each year a special working holiday in celebration of the World
Teachers’ Day.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is respectfully
sought

i

MARK A. VILLAR:


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bit no,__48'70

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
DECLARING THE FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR
AS NATIONAL TEACHERS’ DAY

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

SECTION 4.National Teachers’ Day. The fifth day of October of every year is
hereby declared as the "National Teachers Day.”

To ensure a meaningful observance of this special working holiday, all heads
of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and
controlled corporations especially those that are directly dealing with the teachers,
including local government units, and employers in the private sector, shall
encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage
and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their offices or
establishments in celebration of the "National Teachers’ Day."

SEC. 2.Lead Agency.- Pursuant to the observance of the National Teachers’
Day, the annual program of activities shall be prepared and implemented with the
Department of Education (DepEd) as the lead agency."

SEC. 3.Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,