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JUN 2018

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 641

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Human Right are right inherent in all human beings, whatever nationality, place of
residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. All
humans are entitled to Human Rights without discriminations. These rights are all interrelated,
interdependent and indivisible. The principle of the universality of human rights is the
cornerstone of international human rights conventions, declarations and resolutions. In fact, all
States have ratified at least one, and 80% of States have ratified four or more, of the core human
treaties reflecting the consent of States which creates legal obligations for them and giving
concrete expressions of universality. In a time where heinous crimes are committed against basic
Human Rights, there is a need for heightened awareness, However, it is unfortunate that the
subject of “Human Rights” is being taught by schools in the Philippines only on a voluntary
basis. We should promote awareness and education of Human Right to our youth in order for
them to b advocates of Human Rights and the instruments for the realization of social, economic,

cultural, civil and political rights

Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. supported this cause by seeking through legislation, to make
human rights subjects a mandatory part of the curriculum of all educational institutions in the

country during the 14" Congress.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought

HARLINNEIL J. ABAYON III
Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO


House Bit No.641

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

SECTION 1. All public and private elementary and high school shall include human rights
courses in their curricula, No school shall be established or allowed to operate unless this
requirement is complied with.

SECTION 2. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human
Rights, shall formulate courses on human rights to be taught as separate courses or incorporated
in existing subjects now being taught in all levels of education throughout the country.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education, shall also consult and coordinate with the
Commission on Human Rights in the writing, printing and publication of textbooks, manuals and
other reading materials to be used in the human right courses

SECTION 4. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework of the budget of the
Department of Education, for the year it is enacted into law. As far as practicable, the funds
required therefore shall be drawn from its appropriations for policy formulation, program
planning, standards development and instructional materials development. Thereafter, such
amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget
of the Department of Education, in the annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 5. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human
Rights, shall, within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, prepare the implementing rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in at least two
(2) national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,