Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1401

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE,
Article XIV, Section 3 (1&2) of the Philippine Constitution provides that:

1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the
curricula

2) They shall inculcate patriotism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights,
appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the
country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual
values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and
creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote
efficiency.

It is disturbing, however, that the rampant violation of human rights continues to plague
the country, causing many families and individuals to suffer mercilessly, either from sexual
abuse, extrajudicial killings, discrimination, internal displacement, to many other defilements, It
is even more alarming, that many of our countrymen are not aware that these acts are serious
desecrations of our human rights, nor do they know how to deal with it and whom to run for
help.

Now more than ever, it is important that every Filipino, regardless of age, is armed with
the knowledge of his basic human rights, and grasp by heart what he can do to protect and
defend himself at all times,

Thus, this proposed legislation mandates the detailed study of human rights as part of
institutions in the country

the curriculum of all educationa

in view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1401
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
REQUIRING MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS

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

SECTION 1, All public and private schools
curricula,

shall include human rights courses in their

8 The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the Commission on
Human Rights (CHR), 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.

SEC 3. The DepEd, shall also consult and coordinate with the CHR in the writing, printing
and publication of textbooks, manuals and other reading materials to be used in the human
rights courses,

SEC. 4. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework of the budget of the
DepEd, 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 DepEd, in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. The DepEd, 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
-y to carry out the provisions of this Act.

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

Approved,