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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

741

HOUSE BILL Ni

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Human Rights are rights inherent in all human beings, whatever nationality, place of
residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other stanus, ATI humans
are entitled to Human Rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated,
interdependent and indivisible. The principle of the universality of human rights is the
cornerstone of intemmational human rights law and has been reiterated in numerous international
human rights conventions, declarations and resolutions. In fact, all States have ratified at least
one, and 80% of States have ratified four or more, of the core human treaties reflecting the
consent of States which creates legal obligations for them and giving concrete expressions of
universality. In a time where heinous crimes are committed against basic Human Rights, there is
anced for heightened awareness. Towever, it is unfortunate that the subject of "Tuman Rights"
is being taught by schools in the Philippines only on a voluntary basis. We should promote
awareness and education of Human Rights to our youth in order for them to be advocates of
Human Rights and the insiruments for the realization of social, economic, cultural, civil and
political rights,

Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. supported this cause by secking through legislation, to make
human rights subjects a mandatory part of the curriculum of all educational instivutions in the
country «luring the 14th Congress.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northern Samar


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

741

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

SECTION I. All public and private elementary and high schools shall include human rights
courses in their curricula. No school shall be established or allowed to operate unless this
requirement is complied with

SEC. 2. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human Rights,
shall formulate courses on human rights to be taught as separate courses or incorporated in
existing subjects now being taught in all levels of education throughout the country.

SEC. 3, The Department of Education, shall also consult and coordinate with the Commission on
Human Rights in the writing, printing and publication of textbooks, manuals and other reading
materials to be used in the human rights courses.

SEC. 4. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework of the budget of the
Department of Education, for the year it is enacted into law, As far as practicable, the funds
required therefor shall be drawn from its appropriations for policy formulation, program
planning, standards development and instructional materials development. Thereafter, such
amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget
of the Department of Education, in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5, The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human Rights,
shall, within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, prepare the implementing rules and
regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.


SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in at least two
(2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,