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Republic of the Philippines ‘
House of Representatives  ~
Quezon City, Metra Manila \

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7481
House Bill No. 481

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

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

The COVID-19 pandemic poses great risks to children’s health and
education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), sharing the same
concern, recommended a COVID-19 curriculum in March this year which
included suggestions on how educators can engage students on preventing
and controlling the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. UNICEF also
aims to aid in the continuity of learning for children amidst the pandemic.

This bill seeks to inchide the topic of pandemics, epidemics, and other
public health crises as part of the curriculum of all primary and secondary
schools. Understanding the history and how governments have managed to
control these crises will be beneficial in creating risk reduction and
preparedness plans in the future. It is the hope of this Representation that
the next generation of Filipinos will be more prepared in handling public
health crises of great proportions.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is

hie

ALFRED V. ‘AS

earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Alotes Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

1
House Bill No. 7481

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

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:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pandemics and
Other Public Health Crises Education Act."

SECTION 2. Inclusion of Pandemics Education in the Curriculum. —
Teaching of and discussions on pandemics, epidemics, other public health
crises, its effects, and preparedness or mitigation strategies is hereby
required to be part of the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools
in the Philippines.

The Department of Education (DepEd) shall consult with the
Department of Health, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction
Management Council, and other relevant public or private institutions in
crafting the age and level-appropriate curriculum for this purpose.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Education shall adopt the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provision of this Act.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be
taken from the appropriations of the Department of Education. Thereafter,


such amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees,
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any
of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,