Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5946 _

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We live in a world today that bears much more challenges than decades ago. Sustained
unbridled development and human greed have not only led to massive poverty, unconscionable
inequality, and pitiful living conditions but also influenced and altered our climate system, which
in tum is now causing widespread impact on natural and human systems and thus further burying
us into a quandary.

Sustainability is the only definite way for mankind to continually pursue its development
objectives to meet its present and future needs. This recognition has brought countries all over
the world to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals in order to collectively address poverty,
inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.

One effective tool of realizing sustainable development is through education. It is vital to
cultivate in the minds of people, especially our young ones, a sustainable lifestyle and resilient
character that will allow them to reach their full potential while moderately using its resources
and mitigating climate change.

In the Global Climate Risk Index 2019, the Philippines ranks 5" among the countries
most affected by climate change in the last two decades. As such, it is incumbent upon the State
to be more active and assertive in increasing the resiliency of its citizens and transforming them
to become its reliable partners and enablers for sustainable development.

Itis for this reason that this bill seeks to mandate the incorporation of Sustainability and
Resiliency Studies, or SRS, in the K to 12 Curriculum. The SRS shall be the fusion of
sustainability, disaster resilience, and climate change education. This dedicated course shall help
foster a culture of sustainability among the Filipino youth to empower them to be our agents in
building sustainable and resilient communities all over the country.

For a sustainable, disaster-resilient, and climate change-adaptive Philippines, the
immediate passing of this landmark bill is fervently sought.

" Eekstein, D., Huts ,M,,& Winges, M, (2018). Global Climate Risk Index 2019: Who Suffers Most From Exireme Weather Events? Weather
related Loss Events in 2017 and 1998 to 2017. Bonn: Germanvratch ¢.V.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo, 946 _

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

AN ACT INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY STUDIES
IN THE K TO 12 CURRICULUM

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 “Sustainability and Resiliency Studies
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to pursue sustainability, disaster
resilience, and climate change adaptation in its long-term development strategy. Towards this
end, the State shall endeavor to transform the Filipino youth into advocates and enablers of
sustainable development, disaster resilience, and climate change adaptation in their communities
through proper, up-to-date, science-based, and comprehensive education on sustainability,
disaster resilience, and climate change.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as follows:

a) Department - refers to the Department of Education;
b) Climate Change Education — learning that helps people understand and address the
impact of global warming, increases climate literacy among young people,
encourages changes in their attitudes and behaviour, and helps them adapt to climate
change-related trends;
Disaster Resilience Education — refers to learning about natural hazards in the local
environment and ways to keep communities safe from harm before, during, and after
an emergency or disaster;
K to 12 Curriculum — refers to the subjects comprising the course of study in the K to
12 Program that encompasses at least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6)
years of elementary education, and four (4) years of junior high school and two (2)
years of senior high school;
Sustainability Education — learning that develops the knowledge, skills, values, and
world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable
patterns of living. It enables individuals and communities to reflect on ways of
interpreting and engaging with the world. Sustainability education is futures-oriented,
focusing on protecting environments, and creating a more ecologically- and socially-
just world through informed action. Actions that support more sustainable patterns of
living require consideration of environmental, social, cultural and economic systems
and their interdependence; and,
f) Sustainability and Resiliency Studies — hereinafter referred to as SRS, is the
integration of the sustainability, disaster resilience, and climate change education.

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SEC. 4. Institutionalization of Sustainability and Resiliency Studies in the K to 12
Curriculum. - \t is hereby mandated that SRS shall be an integrated and essential part of the
Department’s K to 12 Curriculum. It shall be taught as modules within the Science, Social
Studies, Values Education, and Health subjects and have an accumulated total student contact
time allotment of at least one (1) hour a week, except for Kindergarten where SRS shall be
integrated in the daily learning activities. SRS shall also be included in the training of student
leaders and the student councils.

The Department, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Climate
Change Commission (CCC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the University of the
Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), together
with academic and research institutions and civil society organizations, shall collaborate in
developing the academic standards, curricula, and materials for the SRS.

SEC. 5. Training and Development of SRS Teachers. — The Department shall immediately
develop and offer a professional development course for SRS teachers. It shall likewise require
that all SRS teachers receive the professional development necessary to ensure that the intent and
goals embodied in the provisions of this Act are carried out.

SEC. 6. Whole-of-School Approach. ~ The Department shall ensure that school premises are
conducive to nurture a culture of sustainability through the implementation of appropriate school
rules and regulations, holding of events and activities, and the provision of sustainable
infrastructures. The DepEd shall work with the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) for the formulation of design standards and construction of such infrastructures.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from the approval of
this Act, the Department, in collaboration with the NEDA, CCC, OCD, UPRI, KWF, and DPWH
shall formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act. The
implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30)
days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Department. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the operation and maintenance of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Separability. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional,
the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, and administrative orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,