9 JJ\ 
-4 I 2 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
s . B . N ~ .  1097 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill provides the inclusion of a new subject ”Environment and 
Development” in the secodary curricula to promote environmental awareness among 
Filipino youth. 
The Constitution recognizes the role of the youth in nation building and the 
importance of 
inculcating patriotism and nationalism, and encourages their 
involvement in public and civic affairs. The youth are the future leaders and prime 
movers of the nation in the near future and their education is crucial to promote their 
intellectual and social wellbeing to better equip them to meet the challenges towards 
sustainable development. 
Environmental degradation has been one of the most pressing concerns that the 
country faces. Economic growth over the years have exacted considerable costs to our 
natural resources and posed great challenges in the efforts to restore a balanced and 
healthful ecology. Thus, the need to develop a stronger national consciousness for the 
conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources remains paramount. 
Developing the consciousness of the youth on the importance of conserving the 
environment will help ensure that the present initiatives towards restoring a balanced 
ecology will be continued in succeeding generations. 
This bill addresses the need to educate the youth on the vital role of 
environmental conservation in attaining social development. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 1097 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY INCLUSION OF THE STUDY OF 
ENVIRONMENT AS AN ADDITIONAL SUBJECT IN THE SECONDARY 
EDUCATION CURRICULUM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatixs of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be a policy of the State to protect 
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
the rhythm and harmony of nature. In recognition of the vital role of youth in nation 
building and the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social 
progress, and promote total human liberation and development, the State shall promote 
national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the 
importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance towards sustained 
national development among the Filipino youth. 
SECTION 2. Objective. - Pursuant to the foregoing policy, the secondary 
curricula of public and private educational institutions shall be reformed to include a 
subject "Environment and Development" in all high school levels. The subject shall 
instruct the students on the state of the Philippine and global environment, the threats 
of environmental degradation and its impact on human wellbeing, and the value of 
natural resources conservation in the context of sustainable development. The subject 
shall also instill greater appreciation and concern for the conservation of the natural 
envirnnment 
SECTiON 3. Curriculum Review Board. - The Curriculum Review Board is 
hereby created, an ad hoc body which shall be responsible for developing the content 
and instructional design of the subject "Environment and Development" in accordance 
with the learning objectives set forth in Section 2 of this Act. It shall perform the 
functions specified under this Section in no more than two (2) years after its creation. 
a) Powers and Functions: 
i) 
ii) 
To conduct rzssarch and identify the topics to be covered by the subject; 
To organize the instructional design such that the topics will be divided in 
four levels, Environment and Development I - IV, which shall correspond 
to students from first to fourth year high school; 
To set the minimum requirements and guidelines for teachers who shall 
be allowed to lecture on the subject; 
iii) 


iv) 
To develop an educators’ training program to prepare instructors for the 
said subject; 
To formulate the guidelines for integrating the new subject in the 
secondary curricula; 
To formulatc- policy guidelines that will govern the operations of the 
Curriculum Review Board in line with the performance of the functions 
provided herein. 
v) 
vi) 
b) Composition: 
i) 
ii) 
Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) as Chair; 
Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as 
Vice-Chair; 
iii) 
iv) , 
Assistant Secretary for Plans and Programs of DepEd; 
Three Representatives from Private Schools; 
v) 
Three Representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in 
environment advocacies. 
SECTION 4. ImpZei;iznting Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in coordination 
with the DENR shall formulate within six (6) months from the enactment of this law the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary to effectively carry out the objectives 
and provisions of this Act. The DepEd shall be responsible for issuing monitoring 
guidelines for the periodic review, assessment and evaluation of the implementation of 
the new curricula. 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. - The Curriculum Xeview Board, thru the DepEd, 
shall annually submit a budget proposal to Congress for its inclusion in the General 
Appropriations Act to fund the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - if any provision or part of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, decrees, orders, 
including rules, and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect beginning the school year 
immediately following its approval. 
Approved,