REPRES ~

Republic of the Philippines ox N
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES = D
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 3 RECEIVED =

pate _12 AUG 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

L
HOUSE BILL NO. 3544

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘BOJIE’ G. DY III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes the mandatory inclusion of a Life Skills Course in both high
school and tertiary education to help Filipino students in their transition to adulthood. The
objective of this measure is to equip the Filipino youth with the requisite knowledge and
skills needed to take on new responsibilities as adults.

The course shall include, among others, topics on taxation, personal finance, social
media literacy, data privacy rights and career planning. It shall also include topics which
will help the Filipino students better understand the Philippine government, its structure and
programs.

Under the bill, a Course Development Committee composed of different stakeholders
shall develop the course content and materials. A post-adoption review is also mandated to
assess the impact of the course for future improvement.

For the aforementioned reasons, the undersigned submits this bill for the
consideration of this august body.

FAUST) ‘BOJIE’ G. DY IIL

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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2
HOUSE BILL NO. 3544

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘BOJIE’ G. DY III

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES A COURSE ON NECESSARY LIFE SKILLS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Act for the Development of
Life Skills of the Filipino Youth”.

SECTION 2. Life Skills defined. — For the purposes of this Act, “life skills” refers to
abilities and knowledge which are essential for modern everyday living and are not
necessarily required in a particular profession but are required in general for working-force
adults.

SECTION 3. Course on Life Skills. — A course on life skills shall be included in the
curricula of all high schools, colleges, and universities, both public and private.

The course shall instruct the youth on necessary life skills and prepare them for integration
with adult society. Among others, the following topics shall be discussed:

(1) Drivers and Pedestrian Education
(2) Overview of Taxation — computing income tax and other tax liabilities

(3) Government 101 — essential government services, acquisition of essential
government documents, and basic civic responsibilities

(4) Basic Personal Finance — reading financial statements, basic investing, insurance,
and balancing your budget

(5) Social Media Literacy and Data Privacy Rights

(6) Career 101 basic resume drafting and interview skills

For the course on life skills included in the high school curriculum, an introduction to the
various collegiate fields and professions may be included.

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The course shall be a necessary requirement for graduation. However, current high school
and college students upon the effectivity of this Act are exempt from this requirement.

SECTION 4. Course Development Committee. — Within ninety (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, a Committee for the development of course content and materials
shall be formed. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

1. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Chairperson;

2. Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) or his designated representative;

3. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) or his designated representative;

4. One representative from the University of the Philippines, to be designated by the
Board of Regents;

5. One representative from an accredited professional teacher's association, to be
designated by the association; and

6. One youth representative, to be selected by the National Youth Commission.

The Committee shall submit to the Office of the President the completed course description,
suggested content, and recommended course hours within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act. The Committee shall also prepare a timeline for the adoption of the
Life Skills Course by all high schools and universities, which shall be included in their
report to the President.

SECTION 5. Subsequent review. — Afier five (5) years from the adoption of the Life Skills
Course, the CHED, TESDA, DEPED, and the University of the Philippines shall jointly
conduct an evaluation of the implementation and effectivity of the Life Skills Course. The
aforementioned institutions shall submit their report to the Office of the President.

SECTION 6. Appropriation. — The total amount of five million pesos (PHP 5,000,000.00)
shall be appropriated for the development of course materials. Any additional expenses shall
be included in the appropriations of the Commission on Higher Education, the Department
of Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules or regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby expressly
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If for any reason any section or provision of this Act
is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.

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