FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
S.B.No. 1.90'9 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was originally drafted by the interns of the Summer sa Senado 2005 
internship program, namely: Rosendo Agda Jr.; Raven Lester Garcia; Jason Omapas; Ne1 
Salvacion; and Salie Siao 
The Constitution provides that: 
Article 2, Section 17. The State affirms labor as a primary social 
economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their 
welfare. 
Article 14, Section 2. The State shall establish, maintain, and 
support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant 
to the needs of the people and society. 
Article 13, Section 3. The State shall afford hll protection to labor. 
In a society where the attainment of quality education remains a dream for the 
underprivileged, and where a vast number of them are forced to work at a very young age 
before completion of their tertiary, secondary or even primary education, these 
disadvantaged workers are vulnerable to the exploitation of unscrupulous employers. The 
State must provide protection to those who do not know their rights and privileges in the 
workplace. What better way to impart this protection than by educating high school and 
college students on labor laws? 
This bill proposes to integrate a mandatory separate subject or course on workers' 
rights for high school and college students. It must be noted that not all high school and 
college students will end up as workers or employees; certainly, many of them will be 
businessmen or entrepreneurs requiring the services of workers and employees. This bill 
will have the dual fimction of educating the future employers of this country as well, 


making them sensitive to the rights and privileges of their subordinates. Thus, the 
mandatory study of labor laws will be beneficial for both employees and employers. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
- 3  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
’ L‘j 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
MANDATING A SEPARATE COURSE OR SUBJECT ON WORKERS’ RIGHTS 
FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 
Be if enacted by the Senate and fhe House of Repvesenfafiva of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This act shall be known as “Workers’ Rights in School 
Curriculum Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - 
(a) The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the 
rights of workers and promote their welfare. 
@) 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. 
(c) The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, 
and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote 
total human liberation and development. 
SECTION 3. Definition ofirerms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
(a) ‘“Workers’ Rights” - refer to the rights of workers as specified in the Labor 
Code of the Philippines; 
(b) “DepEd” - refers to the Department of Education; 
(c) “CHED’ -refers to the Commission on Higher Education; 
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(d) “High school” - refers to secondary level from first year to fourth year; 
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(e) “College” - refers to all institutions of higher learning that offer a bachelor’s 
degree; 
(0 “Civic courses” -refers to social science subjects. 
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SECTION 4. Compulsoiy Teaching of Workers ‘Rights in School. - The teaching 
of Workers’ Rights shall be compulsory to all high school students to be incorporated in 
any civic course offered in the said institution. All colleges and universities, whether 
public or private, shall provide a compulsory 3-unit intensive Workers’ Rights course for 
every degree program. 
SECTION 5. Workers’ Rights Curriculum. - The DepEd and the CHED shall 
develop a Workers’ Rights Curriculum conducive for high school and college students 
which shall include, but not limited to, working conditions and rest periods, wages, 
health, safety, and social welfare benefits. Supplementary topics related to employment 
and labor issues may be added to further enhance the critical thinking skills and 
awareness of the students. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Agencies. - The DepEd Secretary and the CHED 
Chairperson are hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry 
out the provisions of this Act. The DepEd and CHED shall, within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of 
disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Educational Materials. - It shall be obligatory on all secondary and 
tertiary schools and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of 
the textbook, primer, and leaflet on Workers’ Rights to be issued by the DepEd and 
CHED. The DepEd and CHED shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, 
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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