Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3329

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASINO and RAYMOND V. PALATINO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipino students have long been at the forefront of Philippine history. During the Spanish
colonization, the ilustrados through their writings exposed the injustices of the colonial regime.
Although it was the Katipunan, led by Andres Bonifacio, that eventually led the way to a
revolutionary movement against the colonizers in 1898, the contribution of the student reformists
such as theit writings cannot be discounted for opening the minds of many in the fight for freedom
and democracy.

During the Martial Law era, it was the student organization, the Student's Cultural Association of the
University of the Philippines (SCAUP) in 1959 and the Kabataang Makabayan (KM or Patriotic
Youth) in 1964 which were instrumental in the active participation of students in social issues. The
said organizations advanced student activism and national democratic thought throughout the
country. The massive demonstrations during the first quarter of 1970, a political convulsion that has
since been dubbed as the First Quarter Storm (FQS), was pivotal in the snowballing effect of public
unrest against the dictatorship.

‘The student movement is still alive and demonstrating its unfailing commitment to fight against all
forms of discrimination, oppression, and injustice. “EDUCATION FOR ALL” is a call
continuously made by groups such as the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP), the
League of Filipino Students (LFS), the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and the
Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP).

Every year on November 17, students and schools all over the world celebrate the International
Students’ Day to commemorate student activism and its contribution to democracy and the world’s
societies. Since it was first commemorated in London by the International Students’ Council in
1941, the tradition has been kept by various student organizations worldwide. In the Philippines, the
time has come for Congress to formally recognize the celebration of International Students’ Day as
Part of its commitment to legislate laws for the youth's social, intellectual, and moral development.

‘The immediate passage of this bill is thus eamnestly sought.

Approved,


on a
2 bo A Cd
EDDY A. CASINO RA IDV. PALATINO
Bayan Muna Party-list ibataan Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3329

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASINO and RAYMOND V. PALATINO

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE OBSERVANCE OF NOVEMBER 17 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER:
PURPOSES

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 the “International Students’ Day Act of
2010.”

SECTION 2. In recognition of the international observance of International Students’ Day which
was first marked in 1941 in London by the International Students' Council to commemorate the
execution of nine Czechoslovakian students who fought against the Nazi occupation and the
invaluable contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy, the 17" of November of every
yeat is hereby declared “International Students’ Day” in the Philippines.

SECTION 3. International Students’ Day shall be celebrated in the Philippines every year as a
testament to the commitment of students worldwide to fight against discrimination, oppression and
intolerance, and most especially, the right to education.

SECTION 4. All schools, colleges and universities are hereby encouraged to extend their full
support for exercises and activities launched by students during the International Students’ Day.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,