,i\'f'I'ta);p 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
J li~d!;1' '.1f (1:(1 >rr:rr1.1rIJ 
OF TI-IE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
'17 
{lUG 2B P J :10 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides that: 
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 provides that: 
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 know 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 
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 
I http://www . trust. 0 rgl a1 elin etl n ewsl ai d -agene i es-urge-effort -to-stop-e hi! d-d eaths -in -asia -flood s/. 
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victims of near drowning (l0 cases per day)". 
According to National Center for Disease 
Prevention and Control, an attached agency of the Department of Health, children were found to 
be more at risk of drowning. 4 
According to a United Nations Children's Fund 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 of20-
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 swimming lessons in the curriculum of all elementary and 
secOlldary schools in the core acadeniic area of Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health. 
4 http://www.gmanetwol.k.com/news/story/242680/news/nalion/many-drowning-victims-in-the-phl-did-not-
know-how-to-swim. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SEij,Ala 
S. No. 3~t51 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
'12 
[lUG 28 1']:10 
. p ". (2." 
'"'11._,\ __ 
2 
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE SWIMMING LESSONS 
3 
IN THE CURRICULUM OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is tile policy of the State to reduce the risk of 
5 
drowning and near-drowning among high risk groups, more particularly children, as a result of 
6 
aquatic activities such as fishing, recreational swimming, boating; and natural calamities like 
7 
floods, tsunami and flashfloods. 
8 
SECTION 2. Swimming Lessons. - The Department of Education, in consultation with 
9 
the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council and the Department ofInterior and 
10 
Local Government, shall include swimming lessons in the curriculum of all private and public 
11 
elementary and secondary schools in the core academic area of Music, Arts, Physical Education, 
12 
and Health (MAPEl-I). 
13 
SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Wifuin ninety (90) days from the 
14 
approval of this Act, the Department of Education, in consultation with appropriate government 
15 
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
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Such rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper 
17 
of general circulation. 
18 
SECTION 4. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
19 
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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1 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of this program shall be included 
2 
in the annual appropriation of the Department of Education. 
3 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
4 
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
5 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
6 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
8 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lildp 
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