TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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25 JULU P2 -57
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
tV.w
555
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION IN THE SENIOR HIGH 
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the objectives of the K-12 program is to provide needed preparation for 
students who intend to work or engage in business instead of pursuing higher 
education. According to an evaluation by the Philippine Institute for Development 
Studies (PIDS), approximately 20% of the first batch of Senior High School (SHS) 
graduates joined the workforce shortly after graduation.1 This data underscores the 
importance of strengthening and preparing SHS graduates for the possibilities of 
employment or starting a business of their own.
At present, the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to work on its goal 
of ensuring that SHS graduates are employment-ready by providing students with 
opportunities to specialize outside academic-related tracks. To enhance the 
employability of SHS graduates, and following the President's directive, the 
government has expanded workforce opportunities by opening entry-level 
government positions to SHS completers.2 This is made possible through the issuance 
of Resolution No. 2500229 by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which amended the 
educational qualification requirements for first-level government positions. 3 
Meanwhile, the private sector has also acknowledged the improved recruitment
PIDS. Employers worried about SHS graduates' readiness for work. Published on 25 June 2021. Available at 
https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/empioyers-worried-about-shs-graduates-readiness-for-w/ork (Accessed on 26 
June 2025).
Presidential Communications Office. Palace: K-to-12 grads now eligible for gov't jobs. Published on 14 May 
2025. Available at https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/palace-k-to-12-grads-now-eligible-for-govt-jobs/ 
(Accessed on 26 June 2025).
Civil Service Commission. CSC revises qualification standards to allow senior high school graduates entry into 
government service. Published on 8 May 2025. Available at https://www.csc.gov.ph/csc-revises-qualification- 
standards-to-allow-senior-high-school-graduates-entry-into-government-service (Accessed on 26 June 2025).


chances of SHS graduates and expressed willingness to collaborate in further 
enhancing the employability of K-12 graduates.4
However, molding the youth into productive members of the labor force is not 
limited to skills training alone and reliant on the pathways being opened by the public 
and private sectors. While DepEd currently implements SHS career guidance programs 
and other career guidance or counseling programs, none of which provides 
comprehensive focus on labor education. Moreover, most of them are only offered to 
Grade 10 to Grade 11 students and are geared towards assisting them with their 
choice of SHS track, university course, and career.
Labor education is critical to equip and prepare students for real-world 
employment. Youth groups have also expressed their support for making labor 
education part of the SHS curriculum to inform students of their rights and 
responsibilities as future workers and nation-builders.5 This will help prevent abuse 
and exploitation in the workplace by educating students on fair labor policies and 
practices, wages, and state-sanctioned benefits.
In 2021, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that of the 
48,267 establishments inspected covering 2,803,302 workers, the compliance rate 
after correction for general labor standards was at 89.65%. Despite a high compliance 
rate, DOLE still received 46,518 cases of violations of labor standards. This bill seeks 
to address this by mandating the integration of labor education in the SHS curriculum. 
Under this measure, "labor education" refers to the teaching of theories, concepts, 
and issues concerning labor such as, but not limited to labor rights, dignity, economic 
welfare, and political participation.
In recognition of the limited awareness among many Filipinos regarding their 
labor rights, particularly among those whose highest educational attainment is 
secondary education, there is a pressing need for the government to take proactive 
steps in ensuring that every Filipino worker is informed and empowered with 
knowledge of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. This measure hopes to 
bridge information gaps that limit the voice of workers in our society and empower 
them to maximize their labor potentials and achieve personal development.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ILLANUEVA
4 
GMA News. Private sector groups commit to improving senior high grads' empioyabiiity. Published on 19 July 
2024. Available at https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/913994/private-sector-groups- 
commit-to-improving-senior-high-grads-employability/story/ (Accessed on 26 June 2025).
5 
Manila Bulletin. Youth group pushes for inciusion of iabor education in SHS curricuium. Published on 3 June 
2021. Available at https://mb.com.ph/2021/6/3/youth-group-pushes-for-inclusion-of-labor-education-in-shs- 
curriculum (Accessed on 26 June 2025).


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JUL 14 P 2 :57
f" ZT E!’
ODD
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION IN THE SENIOR HIGH 
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Labor Education in 
Senior High School Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall afford protection to labor, 
promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race or 
creed, and regulate the relations between workers and employers. The State shall also 
assure the rights of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, security of 
tenure, and just and humane conditions of work.
The State shall further empower its citizens with crucial information relevant to 
their rights and labor market participation. For this purpose, the State shall bridge 
information gaps that limit the voice of workers in our society and empower them to 
maximize their labor potentials and overall welfare.
SEC. 3. Labor Education. - As used in this Act, "Labor Education" refers to the 
teaching of theories, concepts, and issues concerning labor, such as, but not limited 
to labor rights, dignity, economic welfare, and political participation.
SEC. 4. Integration of Labor Education in the Senior High School 
Curriculum. - All public and private senior high schools (SHS) are mandated to
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integrate Labor Education in the core SHS subject called "Understanding Culture,
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Society and Politics": Provided, That in the event that there shaii be an amendment
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to the K-12 curricuium and the iist of core subjects taken up by SHS students, the
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Department of Education (DepEd) shall ensure that Labor Education is integrated in
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another core subject.
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SEC. 5. Curriculum Review. - The coverage and quality of labor education
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shall be included in the comprehensive curriculum review to be conducted by the
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DepEd.
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SEC. 6. Labor Empowerment and Career Guidance Conference. - As far
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as practicable, private and public SHS must also hold a Labor Empowerment and
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Career Guidance conference, which shall be attended by all graduating students.
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the appropriate government
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agencies and other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the implementing rules and
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regulations (IRR) to effectiveiy implement the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shaii
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remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,