NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENA 
S. B. No.
§'cnate
of 
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■22 JUL27 P4 53
Sfs
RECEiVE&iV:
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
MANDATING INCLUSION OF PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS AND OTHER PUBLIC 
HEALTH CRISES AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
COVID-19 revealed the major gaps in the country's preparedness for a 
pandemic which resulted in an accumulated 3,735,383 cases, and 60,641 deaths 
since the virus reached our shores. The Philippines also posted a -9.5% full-year 
growth rate for 2020 as a result of the pandemic and the mobility restrictions that 
were imposed because of it. This proves that public health crises, if left unmanaged, 
could result in far reaching effects to the overall development and growth of a 
country.
Along with the country's initiatives to continuously curb the effects of COVID- 
19, both to our economy and our health system, there must also be efforts to 
educate the Filipino youth on public health crises and the proper interventions to 
mitigate their effects. In fact, in 2020, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) 
recommended a COVID-19 curriculum which included suggestions on how teachers 
can engage students on preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 and 
other viruses.
Recognizing the importance of education in preparing individuals for the 
challenges ahead, the bill proposes to include in primary and secondary education a 
discussion on pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, how to cope with


its effects and the appropriate preparedness and mitigation strategies to combat the 
same.
In view of the foregoing, passage of the measure is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
'4^'of tl)P ^ffretnri'
72 JUL27 P4 53
SENA 
S. B. No. 51s
RECEIVED BY: 4^
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
MANDATING INCLUSION OF PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS AND OTHER PUBLIC 
HEALTH CRISES AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Inclusion of Pandemics Education in the Curriculum. -Teaching of 
and discussions on pandemics, epidemics, other public health crises, its effects and 
preparedness or mitigation strategies is hereby required to be part of the curriculum 
of all primary and secondary schools in the Philippines.
The Department of Education (DepEd) shall consult with the Department of 
Health, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council, and other 
relevant public or private institutions in crafting the age and level-appropriate
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curriculum for this purpose.
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SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education
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shall adopt the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provision of this
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Act.
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SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken
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from the appropriations of the Department of Education. Thereafter, such amount
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necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees,
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executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or
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parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this
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Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,