SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

First Regular Session ) {s
{2
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SEIVED

2 3 APR ao14

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB.NO4314  \

—
INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR >

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the 1987 Constitution, “The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” (Section 15,
Article Il). Also enshrined in the Constitution is the recognition by the State of the
important role of the youth in nation-building. Because of this, the State declares its
policy to promote their physical well-being

Overweight, as defined by the Philippine Association for the Study of
Overweight and Obesity or PASOO, is increased body weight in relation to height,
while obesity is the state of excessive amounts of fat in the body."

In the Philippines, a 2011 survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute
(FNRI) showed that 22.3% of Filipino adults are overweight and 6.1% are obese.
The prevalence of overweight Filipinos is expected to increase significantly by 2015,
which means more health problems ahead

Studies show that obesity not only increases health risks but also reduces life
expectancy. Potentially fatal conditions associated with obesity include Type 2
diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancers, and gall bladder disease. As many as 80
percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are obese at the time of diagnosis. Incidence
of Type 2 diabetes is particularly associated with central obesity or apple shape
obesity and escalates significantly with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI).

Obesity is likewise a significant independent risk factor for coronary heart
disease or CHD and is the third most vital predictor of CHD in men.

Obesity has also become a problem for our Filipino children. The deadly
combination of eating calorie-rich foods and sedentary lifestyle due to advancement
in technology are plaguing Filipino children. Children tend to be less physically active
as they spend more time in front ofthe television, watching movies, or playing video
games.

*hetp://wwr.fnr.dost.gov.ph/ 5.7 Million Filipino Adults Either Overweight or Obese Says FNRI Survey, Written by Grace A,
‘Yee, Medical Nutrition Division - FNRI

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» “Obesity Among Filipino Children on the Ris," Unilab News, wrw.unilab.eorn ph


Experts agree that an effective solution to obesity is a healthy lifestyle and
exercise. Physical activity is something that people tend to neglect as they go along
their daily lives. This is also reflected in school and educational institutions’ curricula
where Physical Education is not given much importance in the computation and
assessment of a student's academic performance.

This bill seeks to provide a definitive approach to physical education in order
to curb the increasing number of obese Filipino children and to be able to educate
them on the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the passage ofthis bill is
earnestly sought,

i

MARK A. VILLAR


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Hp.no, 4314

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY INCLUSION OF ANTI-OBESITY
EDUCATIONPROGRAM AND EXERCISE INCLUDING PLAY AND
TRADITIONAL FILIPINOGAMES, IN THE PRE-SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY
AND HIGHSCHOOL CURRICULA,BOTH IN PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be jt 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 “Anti-Obesity
Education Program Act of 2014,

SECTION 2.Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them. The State likewise recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and
shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
being.

In view of this, physical education and sports programs are promoted and
encouraged, not only to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence, but also for
the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

SECTION 3.Definition of Terms. The following terms when used in this Act
shall mean:

a. "Child" - a human between the stages of birth and puberty and below eighteen
(18) years of age;

b. "Department" - the Department of Education (DepEd);

c. "Institution" - school or learning/educational facility whether public or private;

4. "Secretary" - the Secretary of the Department of Education;

e. "Special Physical Education” - specially designed instruction, at no cost to the
parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability;

f. "Student" - minor duly enrolled in a learning/education institution;


SECTION 4.Exercise and Physical Activities/Programs. - Exercise and
physical activities/programs shall include, but are not limited to

a. Fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve, and
maintain their physical well-being;

b. Instruction in a variety of motor skills and physical activities designed to enhance
the physical, mental, social and emotional development of every student;

c. Development of, and instruction in, cognitive concepts about motor skill and
physical fitness that support a lifelong healthy lifestyle;

. Opportunities to develop positive and social cooperative skills through physical
activity participation;

e. Instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition;

f. Opportunities for social development for teachers of physical education to stay
abreast of the latest research, issues, and trends in the field of physical education

SECTION 5.Department of Education as Implementing Agency. - The
Department of Education (DepEd) shall be the lead agency to provide rules and
regulations in relation to this Act and ensure the implementation of the same. The
physical education and sports in pre-school institutions, grade school and high
school are an integral part of the educational process and will be carried out by
programs of the Department, in coordination with the appropriate agencies,
Consisting of groups from the government and non-government organizations.

SECTION 6.Physical Education Requirements. - The following shall be the
requirements for Physical Education programs with respect to each educational
level:

a, Pre-School and Kindergarten - The program shall be designed to help children to
work and play with others, to express themselves, to learn to use and manage their
bodies, and to extend their interests and understanding of the world around them. It
shall also protect and increase the physical well-being of the students with attention
given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and human growth and
development.

b. Elementary - Physical Education instruction shall include movement experiences
and body mechanics, fitness and thythmic activities, increased cardiovascular
endurance, muscular strength, and sports and games.

c. High School - Physical Education shall include activities that increase
cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and flexibility, and sports and games.

SECTION 7.Hours of Physical Activity. - Hours of mandatory physical activity
shall be implemented in the following manner:


a. For Pre-School, Kindergarten and Elementary students - Two hundred (200)
minutes each ten (10) days;

b. For High School students - Four hundred (400) minutes each ten (10) days or one
Hundred Fifty (150) hours of physical activity weekly with the equivalent of thirty (30)
minutes of physical activity daily.

SECTION 8.Extra-curricular Sports Activities. - The schools and educational
institutions shall provide programs for continuation of sport classes after completion
of mandatory physical education.

The extracurricular sports activities of the students are voluntary and shall be
organized through the sports department as supervised by the designated
department head as appointed by the school principal or director, and shall be
conducted by professionally trained teachers and coaches.

The extracurricular training and competition activities of the students is
voluntary and shall be organized by the school sport clubs, school sports
departments and teams.

SECTION 9.The Sports Director, Sports Department Faculty and their
Qualifications.

- A Sports Director shall be appointed by the school or educational institution's
principal or director. The Sports Director shall possess the skills, knowledge,
understanding and competence necessary to effectively and safely plan, deliver and
evaluate a programme of activities to a class or group of young people in methods
approved through regular and accepted good practice. His faculty shall be composed
of qualified individuals having the experience and training, and likewise assessed,
accredited and certified to a level at which planning and delivery of activities being
undertaken may reasonably be expected to have successful outcomes.

Some aspects of physical education have a high level of risk and required
awareness and a higher duty of care is expected and should be exercised by the
physical education teachers.

The standard of care required of a teacher has been as that of a reasonably
prudent parent, judged not in the context of the home but that of a school.

The teacher or coach should be appropriately qualified to teach or instruct the
activity involved and provide appropriate supervision. Teachers with a specialist
physical education qualification are regarded as being suitably qualified to teach the
majority of activities in schools

All teachers of physical education shall be adequately prepared and shall
regularly participate in professional development activities to effectively deliver the
physical education program.


SECTION 10.Sports Infrastructure. - The schools and educational institutions
shall create, maintain and develop necessary and suitable sport facilities and
equipment for practisingand engaging in physical activities and sports and shall
provide conditions for their adequate use within the frames of the curriculum and
other extracurricular activities of physical education and sports

SECTION 11.Physical Education Exemptions. - Students who are already
engaged in extracurricular physical activities sanctioned by the school or institution
are exempted from participating in the required hours of physical activity under this
Act, provided that they obtain authorization/documentation from the instructors or
coaches of their respective extracurricular activities and as approved by the school
principal/director.

Students who do not fall under the criteria set in the preceding paragraph
must take at least one (1) remedial course, as provided by the Sports Director of the
school or institution

SECTION 12.Special Physical Education. - Children with specific disabilities
or developmental delay shall also participate in Special Physical Education, This
specially designed physical education program shall be outlined in the child's
Individual Education Program (IEP).

Special physical education will develop’

a. Physical and motor fitness;

b. Fundamental motor skills and patterns;
c. Skills in aquatics and dance;

d. Individual and group games; and

e. Sports.

SECTION 13.Physical Education Program Assessment.- All schools and
educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the Department shall administer a
Physical Education Program Assessment as approved by the Secretary
Assessment of students in pre-school, kindergarten, elementary and high school
must be used to assess the effectiveness of the school or institution's physical
education program and its adherence to the rules, regulations and standards issued
by the Department. The Department shall develop a procedure of calculating a
school or institution's physical education program effectiveness score. This score
shall be submitted to the Department through the Secretary, and the same to be
published in a newspaper of general circulation,

Physical education teachers who receive an unsatisfactory score pursuant to
the immediately preceding paragraph, will be provided with professional
development activities designed to assist the school institution in improving its
programs’ effectiveness

SECTION 14.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 15.Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or is inconsistent with the provision ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 16.Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,