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Republic of the Philippines 2 owe, APR 192017
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tite:
Quezon City o ie
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session F tinew of
HOUSE BILL NOD494

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipino students have long been at the forefront of Philippine history. During the Spanish
colonization, although it was the Katipunan that eventually led the revolutionary movement
against the colonizers in 1898, the contribution of the student reformists helped open the
minds of many Filipinos into supporting the fight for freedom and democracy.

During Martial Law, organizations such as the Student Cultural Association of the University
of the Philippines and the Kabataang Makabayan were instrumental in the active participation
of the youth in social issues. The said organizations advanced student activism and national
democratic thought throughout the country, resulting in massive demonstrations during the
1970s that were pivotal in the snowballing effect of public unrest against the dictatorship.

The student movement continues to demonstrate 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, the League of
Filipino Students, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the Student Christian
Movement of the Philippines.

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.

Approved on Third reading during the 15 and 16th Congresses, immediate approval of this
bill is earnestly sought.


Approved,

Bayan Muna Part$-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.0494

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE OBSERVANCE OF NOVEMBER 17 OF EVERY YEAR AS
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DAY, 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 “National Students’ Day Act.”

SECTION 2. Pursuant to Article II, Section II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is
hereby declared the policy of the State to value the dignity of every human person and to
guarantee full respect for human rights.

Towards this end, the State recognizes 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 for the invaluable contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy
and initiates efforts to foster student leadership among Filipino students.

SECTION 3. In recognition of the observance of the International Students’ Day, the
seventeenth day of November of every year is hereby declared as National Students’ Day.

SECTION 4. An annual program of activities for the observance of National Students’ Day
shall be prepared and implemented with the National Youth Commission (NYC) serving as
the lead agency. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education
shall support the NYC in all efforts to facilitate and promote related activities to all public
and private schools.

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