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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

348
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY: Rep. Michael John R. Duavit

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Academic calendars play a vital role in influencing students’ performance. The schedule of
activities and the frequency of class suspensions brought by the weather conditions depend on the
academic calendar.

The attached bill adopts in toto Senate Bill 1432 filed by Senator Francis G. Escudero during the
Seventeenth Congress, First Regular Session. This measure seeks to synchronize the opening of all
classes in all schools in the Philippines. In particular, it proposes that the school year shall start on the
second Monday of August but not later than the second Monday of September,

According to the 2016-2017 data of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges,
thirty-four (34) universities and colleges had already adopted the August-to-May academic calendar. This
shift is in pursuance to the ASEAN Economic Integration. As a result, our country is able to engage more
partnerships between schools for student exchange programs and researches. Furthermore, it has
encouraged student and faculty mobility, both at home and abroad.

Shifting the calendar is an initial step towards creating a more favorable environment for
attracting a pool of talented students and faculty. In turn, this will increase employment and spur
economic growth through research and development. With the adaptation of the K-to-12 Basic Education
Curriculum, we have prepared students for global integration and advancement, which are the phenomena
of the 21* century. These programs taken as a whole will further boost our educational competitiveness,
taking advantage our English language proficiency in the region.

‘The nationwide application will provide a smooth transition from one level to another. As a
corollary, the unorchestrated schedules pose a problem for those students who will graduate from a school
which utilizes a different academic calendar.


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

348
HOUSE BILL N

INTRODUCED BY: Rep. Michael John R. Duavit

AN ACT
SYNCHRONIZING THE OPENING OF ALL CLASSES IN ALL SCHOOLS
IN THE PHILIPPINES

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

Section 1. Synchronizing the Start of the School Year. ~ Any provisions of law to the
contrary notwithstanding, the start of the school year beginning school year 2018-2019 shall be
synchronized.

The school year shall start on the second Monday of August but not later than the second
Monday of September.

In the implementation of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd)
and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall be guided by the
provisions of Republic Act No. 7977 insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act.

Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd and the CHED in
coordination with the associations of private schools shall promulgate the corresponding
implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from the date of its
effectivity.

Section 3. Repealing and Amendatory Clause. ~ Republic Act No. 7977 and all other
laws, decrees, orders, regulations and policies inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed and/or amended accordingly.

Section 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

Section 5. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.

Approved,


Finally, this proposed bill optimizes the academic calendar year. By adjusting the semestral
school year, the effects of the rainy season which begins in the month of June is mitigated in view of
several public schools which are used as evacuation areas in cases of weather-related disasters. As a
result, class suspensions are lessened.

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

Sceaptonn R. DUA

Representative
Rizal, 1st District