Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
2nd Regular Session

House Bill No. 7758.

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the 20" century, there were 3 serious influenza pandemics, killing millions
of people. In 1918, the Spanish Flu caused the death of 50 million People throughout
Europe, the United States and parts of Asia; in 1957, the Asian Flu killed about 2 million
people worldwide; and in 1968, the Hong Kong Flu killed up to 1 million people.

Pandemics, plagues and other public health crises have such a devastating effect
on the health; the economic and social well being; and the basic services of the
Population that it can even lead the country into becoming a failed state. A community
quarantine was imposed to curtail the spread of the deadly Covid-19 with bans on
international and local travel including the shutdown of local Public transportation. It is
estimated by the Asian Development Bank that our GDP registered at a negative growth
rate at -3.8% in 2020.

Pandemic planning can enable countries to be Prepared to recognize and manage
an influenza or any kind of wide spread affliction for that matter. Planning can help us
reduce transmission of the disease, to decrease cases as well as hospitalization and
deaths, to maintain essential services and to reduce the economic and social impact of
a pandemic.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommended this year, a COVD-19
curriculum including suggestions on how teachers can engage students of different
ages on preventing and controlling the spread of COVD-19 and other viruses. UNICEF
stressed that any conversations or activities should always consider the specific needs


of children, the guidance provided by the school, government authorities and entities
like UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

Through the educational system and its different fields of study (i.e. science,
economics, history and culture), this bill proposes to include in the course outlines of
health subjects, an extensive study on all kinds of public health crises in the primary
and secondary schools. It will instruct the students on how to Cope with the effects, the
proper preparation and mitigation measures to resist the scourge.

Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
2nd Regular Session

House Bill No. 758

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

AN ACT

MANDATING INCLUSION OF PANDEMICS, PLAGUES AND OTHER PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISES EXTENSIVELY AS PART OF THE TEXTS OF HEALTH SUBJECTS
IN ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Inclusion of Extensive Studies of Pandemics and Other Public
Health Crises in Health Subjects in the Primary and Secondary Schools. -
Teaching of and discussions on pandemics, plagues and other public health crises, its
effects and preparation or mitigation strategies is hereby required to be part of the
texts ‘of health subjects in the primary and secondary schools in the Philippines.

The Department of Education (DepEd) shall consult with the Department of
Health, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council, and other
relevant public or private institutions in crafting the age and level-appropriate course
‘subject for this purpose.

Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd shall adopt the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act.

Section 3. Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken from
the appropriations of the Department of Education. Thereafter, such amount necessary


for the implementation of this at shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

Section 4. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
which are contrary or inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 5. 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,