Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

No.9121

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D. _

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the wake of the fatal bus accident that claimed the lives of 14 college students, a teacher,
and the driver following a field trip in Tanay, Rizal, the Department of Education’s (DepEd)
policy on educational tours or field trips has been put on the spotlight.

DepEd’s current policy on educational tours is found on Department Order No. 52, series of
2003 which states, among others, that:

lo field-trip should be undertaken without the written consent of the parents,
or student’s guardians;

Where a majority joins the field trip, there should be no punitive measures or
activities such as tests related to the trip, that will put the students who could
not join the field trip at a disadvantage. They should be given activities in
school to compensate for their inability to join the field trip.”

Despite the clarity of the above-mentioned policies, the effectiveness of DepEd’s Department
Order No, 52, series of 2003 (Policy on Educational Field Trips) has been questioned in light
of issues that arose out of the tragic incident. One prime example is one school official
making a statement to the media that although their school’s educational field trip is not
mandatory and that students who fail to join the schoo! trip will not receive a failing grade,
the school official nevertheless revealed on record that said students will receive an
incomplete grade.

ition of punitive measures against students
imilar to the above persist and will continue
s of 2003

Despite the clear guidelines prohibiting the im
\who fail to join educational field trips, incidents
to persist. Schools are not entirely forced to follow Department Order No. 52, s
as it does not impose any penalty for non-compliance.

‘Therefore, Department Order No. 52, series of 2003 has been a toothless tiger when it comes
to students’ safety.

‘Thus, it is high time for the Philippines to adopt strict measures in ensuring that schools will


comply with Department Order No. 52, series of 2003 by penalizing non-compliance
therewith. As long as there is no law penalizing non-compliance with Department Order No.
52, series of 2003, students will continue to be exposed to accident risks.

‘Therefore, the passage of this bill is urgently needed.

SCOTT DAVIES
epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate

ANETE, M.D.


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

~ 912i

House Bill No.

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT REGULATING THE CONDUCT OF EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP ACT”,
IMPOSING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Sec. 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Educational Field Trips Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health and safety consciousness among
them, It is also the policy of the State to maintain honesty and integrity in the country’s
educational institutions.

Sec. 3. Coverage. This Act applies to all educational schools and institutions directly or
indirectly operating within the country.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term:

(a) School refers to any public or private learning institution at which instruction is given ina
particular discipline or level of education.

(b) Student refers to a person who attends classes in any level of education, and includes a
pupil or learner as defined in DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012.

(c) Educational Field Trip refers to a school-sanctioned learning activity which is done
‘outside the school’s premises. The term shall also include similar activities which despite not
being school-sanctioned, are done with the knowledge of school officials or teachers.

Sec. 5. Prior Written Consent of Parents or Guardians. No field-trip should be undertaken
without the written consent of the parents, or student’s guardians.

c. 6. Prohibition on Punitive Measures. There should be no punitive measures or activities
such as tests related to the educational field trip, that will put the students who could not join
the trip at a disadvantage. They should be given activities in school to compensate for their
inability to join the field trip. Further, students who fail to join an educational field trip shall



not be given a failing or incomplete grade.

‘Sec. 7. Penalty. Any violation of the provisions of this Act committed by a school official or
teacher or responsible school personnel shall be punishable with imprisonment from one to
two years and a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not
more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00).

Sec. 8. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other
provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. All laws, issuances or parts thereof incon

nt with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. 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.