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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
(l}HI~f tlf flli' ~rrt't'tnr¥ 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
287S 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
"14 
AUG 27 P 3 :42 
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE 
SWIMMING LESSONS IN THE CURRICULUM OF 
ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Sections 13 and 15 provide: 
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in 
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, 
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being ... 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Statistics show that drowning is a leading cause of death for Asian children. 
According to Alliance for Safe Children, a child drowns every 15 minutes in some parts 
of Asia. It calls drowning "a silent epidemic" because the deaths are rarely reported to 
hospitals.! 
Aid agencies say some of the 300 child deaths caused by floods in Thailand, 
Cambodia and Vietnam, most from drowning, could have been prevented by raising 
safety awareness and teaching children to swim.2 
Aid workers reportedly say that floodwaters attract children as a place to play, but 
many do not Imow about the dangers of currents and water-borne diseases. In addition, . 
children are often left on their own as their parents try to salvage belongings.3 
1 http://www. trust.org!alertnetlnews!aid-agencies-urge-eff ort -to-stop-ch i Id-deaths-in-asia-floods!. 
2Id 
1 


· 
, , 
In Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway 
and Finland, swimming lessons are included in the school curriculum for children. 
In 2011, a Philippine report presented at the World Conference on Drowning 
Prevention states that "About eight persons die every day due to drowning and that more 
were reported to be victims of near drowning (10 cases per day)". Ms. Lita Orbillo of the 
Family Health Office, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Department 
of Health (DOH), who made the presentation, said that children were found to be more at 
risk of drowning.4 
According to a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEI') survey, drowning is 
reportedly the second leading cause of death among Filipino children aged 14 years and 
below, and the fourth leading cause of death from injury in the Philippines. 
The Philippine report also states "the country is often visited by typhoons (average 
of 20-25 annually) causing floods, flooded areas, flash floods and turbulent seas which 
undeniably cost the lives of Filipinos." 
Thus, there is a need to include sWlmmmg lessons in the curriculum of all 
elementary and secondary schools in the core academic area of Music, Arts, Physical 
Education, and Health (MAPEH). 
{)1i" 
~~ J~ 
MIRIAM DEF~=SANTIlGO 
31d 
4 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/242680/news/nation/many-drowning-victims-in-the-
phl-did-not-know-how-to-swim. 
2 


• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2376 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
£>enntr 
(l\}tfl;l~ llf 1~~' >Hr-thn~ 
"14 
AUG 27 P3 :42 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE 
3 
SWIMMING LESSONS IN THE CURRICULUM OF 
4 
ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
5 
SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to reduce the risk of drowning and near-
6 
drowning among high risk groups, more particularly children, as a result of aquatic 
7 
activities such as fishing, recreational swimming, boating; and natural calamities like 
8 
floods, tsunami and flashfloods. 
9 
SECTION 2. The Department of Education, in consultation with the National 
10 
Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC), shall include swimming 
11 
lessons in the curriculum of all private and public elementary and secondary schools in 
12 
the core academic area of Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH). 
l3 
SECTION 3. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
14 
amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the· 
15 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of this 
16 
program shall be included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Education. 
17 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
18 
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
19 
effect. 
1 


, . 
\ 
1 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
2 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
3 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
4 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Ifldp20aug2014 
2