SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
2993 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'15 
OCT 15 P3 :01 
Art. II, Sec. 13 of the Constitution of the Philippines provides that "(t)he 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. It shall inculcate in the 
youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic 
affairs." 
Teaching Philippine History in schools to the Filipino youth is essential because it 
allows students to learn about and appreciate traditions, norms, culture and the heritage 
passed on to us by our ancestors. It allows students to discover the struggles, hardships, 
and perseverance that Filipinos had to go through as a people and a nation, in order to 
obtain sovereignty and continue to keep it. Most importantly, it can teach students to love 
the Philippines, to be proud to be a Filipino and ultimately be a true patriot. 
Most Filipinos are unaware that during the term of the late President Manuel L. 
Quezon in the late 1930's, the Philippines provided refuge to Jewish refugees fleeing the 
persecution by the Nazis in numerous parts of Europe. At great political risk, President 
Quezon approved the granting of visas to 1,400 Jews seeking safe haven in the 
Philippines. President Quezon agreed to have 100,000 visas issued to the Jews. 
Unfortunately, the program was cut short by the onset of the Japanese occupation in 
1941. This magnanimous act of our nation must never be forgotten. 
Therefore, this proposed measure seeks to mandate the integration of the historical 
and analytical account of the Philippine's courageous rescue of 1,400 Jewish refugees 
into the History Subjects of the grade school students, particularly Grade 5 and 6, so that 
we may instill the same kind of bravery, moral courage, chivalry and altruism, in the 
minds of our youth. 
The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education (CHHE), a US-based 
foundation, has conducted a thorough study on this subject matter. The CHHE created a 
Comprehensive Educational Guide which can be tapped by the Department of Education 
(DepEd) as resource material to facilitate the incorporation of the su dect matter in the 
Philippine History subjects of the grade school students. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of the bill is earnestly request d. 


1 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
2993 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
'15 
OCT 15 P3 :01 
AN ACT DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO 
INTEGRATE THE HISTORICAL AND ANALYTICAL ACCOUNT 
OF THE PHILIPPINE'S RESCUE OF JEWISH REFUGEES IN THE 
1930's AS PART OF THE COVERAGE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY 
SUBJECT TAUGHT TO GRADE 5 AND 6 STUDENTS IN ALL 
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Declaration of Policy. -It shall be the policy of the State 
2 
to instill patriotism and nationalism into the hearts and minds of our country's 
3 
youth. 
4 
SECTION 2. 
Inclusion of the Subject Matter of the Jewish Rescue by 
5 
the Philippines in the Curriculum. -The historical and analytical account of the 
6 
Philippine's rescue of the 1,400 Jewish Refugees in the late 1930's shall be 
7 
integrated in the Philippine History subject taught to grade school students, 
8 
particularly between Grade 5 and 6 levels in all national and regional schools in the 
9 
country. 
10 
SECTION 3. 
Development of Subject Content. -The Department of 
11 
Education (DepEd) shall approve all the materials, books, and manuals to be used 
12 
by schools for teaching this subject matter as part of the Philippine History subject 
13 
of grade 5 and 6 students in all national and regional schools in the country. 
14 
SECTION 4. 
Appropriations. -The amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
15 
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations 
16 
for the DepEd. Thereafter, all costs necessary shall be included in the annual 
17 
General Appropriations Act. 


1 
SECTION 5. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders 
2 
or rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
3 
modified accordingly. 
4 
SECTION 6. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
5 
days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
6 
general circulation. 
Approved,