Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRES!
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 587°

Introdi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to include human rights as a mandatory curricula
subject in all levels of education.

The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights (Section 11, Article II, 1987 Constitution). All
educational institutions shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster
love of humanity, and respect for human rights (Section 3[2], Article XIV,
1987 Constitution). Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitutions mandates
that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due
process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the
laws. Human right is therefore of primordial importance

To this end, it is the responsibility of the State to ensure that the
subject “Human Rights” be included in the curricula of students to fully
understand the meaning and significance of the term “human rights” in ail
levels of education.

Hence, this earnest request for the immediate passage of this bill.

Vd“

sLY L. P! IICIAS-AGABAS


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 587

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY STUDY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN
THE CURRICULA IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION

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 “Human
Rights Education Act.”

SECTION 2. Human Right Education. - All public and private
schools in all levels shall include the study of human rights in their
curricula. No school shall be established or be allowed to operate

unless this requirement is complied with.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education and the Commission on
Higher Education, in consultation and close coordination with the
Commission on Human Rights and various non-government
organizations, advocacy groups and human rights organization,
shall formulate courses, subjects, and/or special lectures on
human rights to be taught as separate courses or incorporated in
existing subjects now being taught in all levels of education

throughout the country.


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SECTION 4. The Department of Education and the Commission on
Higher Education shall consult and coordinate with the
Commission on Human Rights and various non-government
organizations, advocacy groups and human rights organizations, in
the writing, printing, and publication of textbooks, manuals, and

other reading materials to be used in the human rights courses.

SECTION 5. This Act shall be implemented initially within the
framework budget of the Department of Education, Commission on
Higher Education, and state universities and colleges for the year it

is enacted into law.

Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the Department of
Education, Commission on Higher Education, and state

universities and colleges in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The
Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education
and the Commission on Human Rights shall promulgate and issue
the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60)

days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause - If any provision or part thereof is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the

provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid or subsisting.

SECTION. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, later of instruction, administrative order,
the rule regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of

this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.


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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,