Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. RONALD V. SINGSON 
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Education is one of the basic components for achieving greater equity and economic 
prosperity, and one of the fundamental rights that all Filipinos should enjoy. It is imperative that a 
country’s education system adequately prepares the youth to enable them to contribute to national 
productivity and competitiveness.  
Several education amendments aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of basic 
education have been made. Recently, the focus of these reforms have been mainly on the k-12 
program, which was found to be congested. However, more than overhauling, revising, and 
redesigning the existing curriculum, other issues on education, such as setting a school calendar that 
is most beneficial to learners, should also be considered.   
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought sweeping changes to the country’s education system, 
including the shifting of the academic calendar. This was done through Republic Act No. 
11480, which allows the Chief Executive to move or reschedule the start of the school year in an 
event of a state of emergency or state of calamity.  
The lifting of pandemic restrictions and the full implementation of face-to-face classes have 
prompted calls to revert to the old school calendar due to several pressing factors, such as the extreme 
heat experienced by teachers and students during the dry season, which is deemed not conducive to 
learning, and the students being unable to enjoy the school break because of the rainy season.  
This bill seeks to establish the first Monday of June of every year as the start of the academic 
year in all basic education schools, including foreign and international schools in the country. While 
it is difficult to predict the weather due to climate change, the former school calendar is what suits 
our country best. Should the school calendar be reverted, students, teachers and parents will be spared 
from the inconvenience and hazards of adverse weather conditions.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RONALD V. SINGSON
June 1, 2023
11:38 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. RONALD V. SINGSON 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FIRST MONDAY OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR AS THE 
START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN ALL BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS, INCLUDING 
FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled: 
Section 1. The Academic Year shall start on the first Monday of June of every year. 
Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days after the effectivity 
of this Act, the Department of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.  
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with, or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.  
Sec. 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved, 
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