SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No.'2559

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to add additional subjects to the current curricula of our schools in the
country. These include subjects on indigenous people; gardening; climate change; culture,
peace and solidarity; computer courses; intellectual property; and Philippine society &
environment.

1. Since our country is divided into different regions with different cultures and there are
indigenous communities with distinct cultures and traditions, indigenous peoples’ cultures
should be respected and protected.

However, our indigenous cultures and traditions are not being passed on to younger
generations due to several factors such as lack of indigenous education. Indigenous
education is not a significant part of our curricula. Indigenous people do not take part in
designing it. Indigenous education has insufficient financial support from the government.

The lack of indigenous education would continue to set indigenous youth apart from
their own cultures. Education is the key to self-determination. More importantly, education
would eliminate prejudice and discrimination.

2. In view of the food crisis facing our country today, as well the burgeoning number of
malnourished school children, it is high time to restore gardening as part of the curriculum of
elementary and high school to educate the students and to encourage them to start growing
their own vegetables as a source of food.

3. In the Philippines, the rapid population growth in the country has increased the
‘consumption of natural resources and has contributed to water and air pollution which lead
to climate change. Massive forest degradation is also attributed to the tremendous pressure
from an increasing population. Forest and agricultural lands are also converted into
residential areas to accommodate the surplus of people.

The Filipino people may not yet be fully aware of the dire consequences of climate
change but we play a vital role in the protection, conservation and replenishment of the
environment. Much of the population is not conscious about global warming on account of
the absence of adequate information about the environment. Hence, efforts must be made to
inform and educate the people to make them aware of the importance of ecological
conservation and protection to avert climate change.

4. Basic and secondary education mold the character of every individual. It is in school
where we leam the values of appreciating the diverse culture while respecting each culture's
individuality and shaping the character of every human being.

On account of the variety of cultural background among the Filipino people, it is
unavoidable that the differences in attitude and perspective sometimes cause the
deterioration of peace and order in the country. Thus, there is a real need to include a
subject that will promote peace and solidarity among our people so that there will be more
understanding of the ethnicity, customs and way of life of every cultural group. In so doing,
there will be genuine and lasting peace which will pave the way for the economic
development in the country.


5. In this era of advanced science, more and more countries rely on the usefulness of
‘computer technology in their respective developmental pursuits. Computer knowledge has
now evolved from a fad to an absolute necessity in the real world.

In every profession or business center, demands for computer-proficient personnel
have been increasing in tremendous proportions. Considering these changing times towards
the advancement of science and technology, there is an imperative need for us to meet and
adapt to these demands.

Now, more than ever, is the time to train our children towards the demands of the
future. We must prepare them for the vicious battle for survival in the next decades to come
by providing them a legacy of a stable educational foundation lest we deem to be oblivious
and unconcemed on the future of our children, the leaders of tomorrow. The mandatory
instruction of computer is the first step toward this direction.

6. In spite and despite of various laws and regulations in the Philippines on Intellectual
Property, intellectual infringement and piracy of intellectual rights are rampant in the country.
The provisions of the laws are derogated if not circumvented. Due to these situations, the
Philippines is under the watch list as one of the countries where intellectual property rights
are ignored and piracy of intellectual creations is widespread.

It is therefore imperative that the importance of copyright be imparted to our citizenry
at an early age as well as later in life. It may be the desired precondition that may convert
the Philippines into one of the knowledge based centers. With proper education it is hoped
that piracy will be curtailed and our laws will be strictly implemented.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

MAXIMO &. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 7559

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE NEW SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULA OF SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

SECTION 1. inclusion of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Subjects
in the School Curriculum. - The subject on climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction shall be integrated in the curricula in all elementary, secondary and collegiate
schools in the Philippines.

SEC 2. Inclusion of Indigenous Education in the School Curriculum — To protect and
develop indigenous cultures and traditions in each locality if present, the Department of
Education shall include indigenous education in the curriculum of the respective schools.
The curriculum shall include the dialect, songs, dances and other traditions of the indigenous
people in the area,

SEC 3. Inclusion of Gardening in the Schoo! Curriculum — Gardening shall be a part of the
elementary and high school curriculum in all public and private institutions. All vacant lots of
public and private elementary and high schools shall be planted with vegetables by the
administrators, faculty and students of the school.

SEC 4. inclusion of the Subject on Culture, Peace and Solidarity in the School Curriculum. —
An additional subject on Culture, Peace and Solidarity is hereby integrated in the curricula of
all elementary and secondary schools to promote peace and dialogue among the Filipino
people.

SEC 5. Inclusion of Computer Subjects in the School Curriculum. - The teaching of
computer subjects is hereby mandatorily included as an additional subject for all students in
elementary and high school both in public and private schools.

SEC 6. inclusion of Intellectual Property in the School Curriculum. - The teaching of
intellectual property ownership, particularly copyright law is hereby required to be a part of
the curriculum of all primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the country.

SEC 7. Inclusion of Subjects on Philippine Society and the Environment in the School
Curriculum. -

a. The teaching of the inter-elationship, appreciation, conservation, rehabilitation,
promotion and development of the environment shall be included in the curricula of all public
and private elementary and secondary schools, including non-formal, indigenous leaming
and out-of-school youth program.


b. The environment shall refer to the bio-physical world of human beings, the
maritime, fluvial, and aerial domains, the mineral, coal, petroleum oils, all forces of potential
energy, fisheries, flora and fauna and all other natural resources.

c. There is hereby created a course with a proposed title “The Philippine Society and
its Environment’ which shall be added to the elementary and secondary school level
curriculum. In addition to the teaching of the inter-relationship appreciation, conservation,
rehabilitation, promotion and development of environment, the course shall likewise include
the teaching of environmental laws in the Philippines.

SEC 8. Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken from the
appropriations of the Department of Education (DepEd). Thereafter, such sum which may be
necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC 9. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education shall promulgate the rules
and regulations for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this Act

SEC 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part thereof be
declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid ones,
shall remain in full force and effect.

‘SEC 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

‘SEC 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,