EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
10:36 am
SENATE
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
MANDATING INCLUSION OF PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS AND OTHER PUBLIC 
HEALTH CRISES AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Throughout history, there have been seventeen1 pandemics recorded including 
the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The first significant flu pandemic 
recorded was the Russian flu which claimed the lives of 360,000 people in 1890. 
Almost three decades after, came the Spanish flu (1918) which resulted in the death 
of 50 million people throughout Europe, United States and parts of Asia.
Pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises although primarily 
affecting the health and well-being of the population, has other significant far reaching 
effects to the economy and the delivery of basic services, among others. In our bid to 
control the spread of COVID-19 - through the imposition of community quarantine, 
bans on international and local travel, and similar restrictions - has had a negative 
impact in our economy, with ADB estimating our GDP at -3.8% in 2020.2
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in March of this year, 
recommended a COVID-19 curriculum which included suggestions on how teachers 
can engage students of different ages on preventing and controlling the spread of 
COVID-19 and other viruses. UNICEF stressed that any conversations or activities 
should always consider the specific needs of children, the guidance provided by the 
school, local and/or national authorities, and be based on reputable sources such 
as UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
1 https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/pandemics-timeIine
2 https://www.adb.org/countries/phiiippines/economy


Considering the possible benefits of analyzing pandemics through different 
fieids of study (i.e. science, economics, cuiture), this biil proposes to include in primary 
and secondary education, a discussion on pandemics, epidemics and other public 
health crises, how to cope with its effects and the appropriate preparedness and 
mitigation strategies to combat the same.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
‘—^©NNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1674
RECEIVED
DATE
TtME¥
BH-US
NDtX
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
MANDATING INCLUSION OF PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS AND OTHER PUBLIC 
HEALTH CRISES AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL PRIMARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Inclusion of Pandemics Education in the Curriculum. -Teaching of
2 
and discussions on pandemics, epidemics, other public health crises, its effects and
3 
preparedness or mitigation strategies is hereby required to be part of the curriculum
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of all primary and secondary schools in the Philippines.
5 
The Department of Education (DepEd) shall consult with the Department of
6 
Health, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council, and other
7 
relevant public or private institutions in crafting the age and level-appropriate
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curriculum for this purpose.
9 
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd shall adopt the
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necessary rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act.
11 
SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken from
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the appropriations of the Department of Education. Thereafter, such amount
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necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act.
15 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
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orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof


1 
which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
2 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
3 
SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
4 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,