FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bh No. 785

introduced-by Representative Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The opening of classes once again focuses our attention on the need to
provide adequate protection to students in institutions of learning,

While we consider school as the second home of our children, school
administrations have often neglected to provide them with even basic facilities
necessary for their health and safety

Clean water and comfort rooms have always been a problem. These must
be addressed to prevent illnesses which hampers the education of our children.

The bill seeks to address the situation by requiring a yearly inspection of
school facilities by a team composed of the school administration,
representatives of the parents, the student council and health and education
authorities.

The bill further provides that a school shall not be allowed to increase its
tuition fees unless such inspection is conducted and there be substantial
compliance to the recommendation of the inspection team.

With the passage of this bill, we hope to provide our children a healthy
learning environment.

AURED{O SPORG GONZALES, JR.
Re sentative
3 District, Pampanga


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. NO. 785

Introduced by Representative Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales, Jr.

AN ACT
REQUIRING MANDATORY SCHOOL INSPECTIONS TO PROTECT THE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as “Healthy Learning Environment
Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - The 1987 Constitutions states that “The
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them’,

SEC. 3. Notwithstanding any laws to the country, schools of all levels and
training institutions are hereby required to conduct a yearly inspection of facilities
relevant to the health and safety of the students and their teaching and non-
teaching’ personnels, such as, but not limited to the following: water supply
system, comfort rooms, cafeterias and restaurants and fire exits.

SEC. 4. The yearly inspection shall be conducted by a team composed of
representatives of the following

a) school administration

b) parent organization

¢) student council

d) local or national health authorities


e) Department of Education or the Commission on Higher Education, as

the case maybe

SEC. 5. The team shall conduct their inspection based on existing health
and sanitation laws and guidelines and shall make the necessary
recommendation to the school administration and government agencies
concerned

SEC. 6 No application for any tuition fee increase shall be approved by
the Department of Education or the Commission on Higher Education unless a
report of the said yearly inspection is submitted and substantial compliance to the
recommendation of the teams is instituted by the school administration.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred
eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education and
the Commission on Higher Education shall jointly formulate with parents
organizations and other concerned agencies.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - if any provision of this Act is found
unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the unaffected provisions shall not be
affected.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.