Proposals to make the Reserve Officers Training Corps mandatory has ocassionally surfaced ever since its mandatory implementation was abolished in 2002. In light of the renewed interest in the discussion of the matter, I would like to propose alternative programs that will similarly seek to foster nationalism and social consciousness among our youth without having to train them in the ways of the military, which is inherently prone to abuses. After all, our Constitution directs the State to uphold the “the vital role of the youth in nation building” through the promotion and protection of their social well-being, among others. It also directs the State to inculcate “patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civil affairs.”

This representation, after consulting with various student and youth groups, has come to the conclusion that the CAT has should be abolished and replaced by a program that is more focused on addressing the needs of the times. The author of this bill seeking to abolish the CAT believes that the National Defense Act is antiquated and irrelevant as times have changed. High School students must not undergo preparatory military training as it is not suited for their age. Preparatory military training must only be an option for students in the tertiary level.

After due consultation with the SK National Executive Board and various SK officials around the country, this bill was created. Among its important aims are: to institute a uniform procedure for releasing and reviewing SK budgets, to empower the Katipunan ng Kabataan as the basic unit and consultative body of the SK, to more clearly define the procedures for succession and filling of vacancies, and to regularize training seminars for SK members. Essentially, these proposed reforms intend to return the faith of people, most especially the youth, in the SK as a genuinely representative local government unit that strives at all times to advance the rights and welfare of the Filipino youth and, concomitantly, to empower duly-elected SK officials as persons in authority to more efficiently carry out their duties and responsibilities.

The constant shortchanging done by the government to schools due to its massive debt service prioritization has forced our public schools and universities to increase tuition and other fees effectively closing its doors and denying education to millions of poor Filipinos.

The need to repeal the provisions on automatic appropriations for debt service in order to address the grave crisis in social services, in particular the public education sector, is now, more then ever, urgent. Similar legislative measures have often been proposed in the past, but many of them are proposals for the sake of giving Congress the actual power of the purse. None of them ever became law. Indeed, this bill also seeks to reinforce the constant clamor for the repeal, but going further, this bill seeks to assert that the repeal of the automatic appropriation for debt service must serve the socially just purpose of giving our people what is due them for their toil and taxes.

An Act Mandating the Includion of Philippine Traditional Games and Sports in the Physical Education (P.E.) Courses in All Levels of Educational Institutions and Sports Activities of Local Government Units, and for Other Purposes

hb-808-public-libraries-act

Apart from the unabated increase in tuition and other school fees in private schools, many have also taken to imposing a ‘no permit, no exam’ policy, which prohibits students who have not partially or fully settled their financial obligations from taking their periodic or final examinations. Such policy effectively bars unpaid students from graduating or obtaining an academic degree, regardless of how hard they have worked for it or how much they academically deserve it.

In light of this situation, it is the State’s obligation to intervene and ensure that our young people’s right to education is not compromised due to financial difficulties – most specially given the present economic situation of the country, in which millions of families struggle to meet even their most basic needs.

AN ACT MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION (P.E.) COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Download full text of bill.

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND REFORM THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK), AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,” AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SK ELECTIONS,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Download full text of bill.

AN ACT DECLARING AS UNLAWFUL THE USE OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINERS AND OTHER SYNTHETIC MATERIALS HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Download full text