Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

S RECEIM
a7 OCT 2076" 2M

tine: St a
K

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of mandatory play areas in every
public elementary school in the country.

‘The importance of play to young children’s healthy development and
learning has been documented beyond question by research, Our kids in the
kindergarten as well as in the early grades of our basic educational system
need a balance of child-initiated play in the presence of engaged teachers
and more focused experiential learning guided by teachers.Yet, playing
activities as well as venues for them are rapidly disappearing from
kindergarten and early education as a whole.

In the Philippines, most public elementary schools have no space for a
play area.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is hereby being
earnestly sought.
ee bb
Atty. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _4233

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
MANDATORY PLAY AREAS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN IN ALL
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “ Playground for
Schoolchildren in Public Schools Act of 2016”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building and to 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

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the term:

(a) “Municipal School Board” as defined under Republic Act 7160 is

composed of the municipal mayor and the district supervisor of
chairmen; the chairman of the education committee
ngguniang bayan, the municipal treasurer, the
representative of the pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang kabataan in



the Sangguniang bayan, the duly elected president of the
municipal federation of parents-teachers associations, the duly
elected representative of the teachers' organizations in the
municipality, and the duly elected representative of the non-
academic personnel of public schools in the city, as members;

(b) * to an outdoor space with specific design and
safe facilities which shall be used as playing areas for children in
every public elementary school in the country.

SECTION 4. Establishment of a Play Area.A play area with safe facilities
and fixed gaming equipments such as but not limited to slides, swings,
monkey bars, or the like, shall be established in every public elementary
school. The play area, as much as possible, shall be in a safe outdoor area
inside the premises of the elementary school with natural landscape
elements.

SECTION 5. /mplementation. - The Department of Education, in
coordination with the various Local School Boards of each municipality in
the country, are hereby tasked to formulate the rules and regulations
necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Funding. - The funds necessary to carry out the provision of this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriation Act of the year following,
its enactment into law and thereafter

SECTION 7. Separability Clause —If any provision of this Act is held
invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION, 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,