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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 365 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, as an archipelago, is among very few places in the world ideally situated with 
abundant marine resources that its citizens can all be proud of. Its uniqueness entails enormous 
potentials of marine-related industries as source of economic development. 
In the United States, a foundation aiming to enrich appreciation of the marine environment has been 
developed to create innovative and stimulating educational programs and research projects concerning 
maritime resources. It has been in operation since 1985, serving five thousand students and 
teachers each yearl . 
The country's nature as an archipelago and its incomparable richness in marine resources 
preempts a much greater necessity to carry out similar initiative. It is thus essential to make 
maritime matter part of the basic education of each Filipino. 
This bill promotes marine resources awareness through requmng the inclusion of 
maritime/marine education as a separate subject in elementary and high school curriculum. This 
bill recognizes that the inclusion of marine education in the primary and secondary school 
curriculum will allow future generations to flourish and emerge to become part of the country's 
drive to establish our national identity as an archipelagic State. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought. 
Senator 
1 Marine Resources Development Foundation. Data retrieved at http://www.marinelab.org/ on 21 April 2009. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S:No. 365 
• 0'. 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE MARINE RESOURCES AWARENESS THROUGH REQUIRING THE 
INCLUSION OF MARITIME/MARINE EDUCATION AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT IN 
ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "Marine Resources Awareness 
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and Education Act". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide 
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an integrated system of education specifically to elementary and high school students. In 
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recognition of the country's rich marine resources and the role of education to encourage 
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nationalism, it is also hereby declared the policy of the State to promote national awareness on 
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the relevance of such vast resources of the country through the integration of marine education 
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into the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools nationwide. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act shaH have the foHowing objectives: 
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a) to promote national awareness and instill national pride, concern and responsibility as 
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regards the country's marine resources; 
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b) establish and consolidate national characteristic and identity as an archipelagic State; 
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c) orient and broaden the knowledge of the next generation of the State as an 
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archipelago, the vastness of the country's marine wealth, the possibilities of 
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developing such and other marine-related industries as source of economic strength; 
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and 
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d) to emphasize the value of marine resources conservation by incorporating actual 
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activities, projects or programs to conserve such resources; 
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SEC. 4. Maritime/Marine Education Subject in the Elementary and High School 
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Level. - There shall be a separate subject on Marine Education in the curriculum of both 
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elementary and secondary schools nationwide. 
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SEC. 5. Integration with Community Service Programs. - To fully realize the objectives 
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of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall 
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include marine education and awareness activities in the community service programs of the 
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schools. 
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SEC. 6. Development of Subject Content. - The Department of Education Secretary 
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shall appoint a Head Subject Specialist who shall be the lead person in coordinating all activities 
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necessary for the development and implementation of the subject in both elementary and 
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secondary level. The Head Subject Specialist shall conduct a multi-sectoral consultation with 
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educators from public and private high schools and other related agencies for the purpose of 
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detennining the appropriate content and scope of the subject. 
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The Department of Education is mandated to create programs that will ensure that 
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students receive quality infonnation concerning the maritime resources of the country. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education shall 
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formulate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
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be taken from the appropriations of the Department of Education under the current General 
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Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
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be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shaH 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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