Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 DEC 17 P2:04 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1625 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM, MANDATING THE INTEGRATION OF WPS EDUCATION IN BASIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULA, PROMOTING NATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PHILIPPINES' MARITIME RIGHTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The West Philippine Sea (WPS) continues to be a critical area for the Philippines, both in terms of national security and the protection of our maritime rights. Despite its strategic importance, there remains limited public awareness and understanding of the WPS, its historical context, natural resources, and the country's legal rights under international law, including the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration (PCA Case No. 2013-19). This measure seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive West Philippine Sea Education and Awareness Program, ensuring that learners in basic and higher education are educated about the WPS in a systematic and age-appropriate manner. By integrating WPS education into the curricula of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the State aims to foster patriotism, civic responsibility, and informed citizenry. By ensuring accurate, and evidence-based information about the WPS, this Act empowers Filipino citizens to actively participate in the protection of our maritime rights and contributes to national unity, informed policymaking, and responsible public discourse. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO
Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 5 DEG 17 P2:04 SENATE Senate Bill No. 1625 maron 1 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM, MANDATING THE INTEGRATION OF WPS EDUCATION IN BASIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULA, PROMOTING NATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PHILIPPINES' MARITIME RIGHTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 "West
Philippine Sea Education Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy
5 of the State to foster a comprehensive national understanding of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), including its historical context, maritime 7 entitlements, natural resources, and its vital role in safeguarding national sovereignty and security of the country. The State shall strengthen patriotism and civic responsibility by ensuring that learners and the general public are educated on the Philippines' rights and obligations under international law, including the South China Sea Arbitration (PCA Case No. 2013-19).
Toward this end, the State shall guarantee the dissemination of accessible, accurate, and evidence-based information on the West Philippine Sea across all levels of education and within communities nationwide.
SEC. 3. Integration of West Philippine Sea (WPS) Education in
> the Curriculum. - It is hereby mandated that the WPS Education shall be an integral and essential part of the Department of Education 9 (DepEd)'s Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED)'s General Education Curriculum. Instruction shall be age-appropriate and anchored on internationally recognized facts, Supreme Court decisions, Philippine laws and other relevant learning materials.
SEC. 4. Teaching Qualification and Capacity Building for
Teachers. - The DepEd shall carry out the appropriate training for teachers and educators on WPS Education, as well as provide them with adequate and relevant instructional materials, in order to develop and enhance their capacity to teach the subject.
SEC. 5. Development of Teaching and Learning Materials. -
DepEd, and CHED, in coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), National Security Council (NSC), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and other relevant government agencies, shall: a) Develop standardized and updated learning materials on the WPS; b) Conduct capacity-building programs for teachers; c) Ensure the availability of digital, printed, and community- based learning resources.
SEC. 6. Public Information and Awareness Campaign. - The
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), together with the DFA, DepEd, CHED, and LGUs, shall launch a nationwide information campaign to 37 promote:
a) Awareness of the Philippines' maritime rights; b) Protection of marine ecosystems in the WPS; and c) Responsible and accurate public discourse on WPS issues. Such campaigns may include, but are not limited to, media productions, documentaries, community fora, and youth-oriented engagement programs.
SEC. 7. Partnerships and Collaboration. - Agencies may partner
with academic institutions, civil society organizations, indigenous 12 cultural communities, fisherfolk organizations, and international bodies to enhance WPS education and research.
SEC. 8. Research and Innovation. - State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs) and research institutions are encouraged to undertake studies on, but not limited to: a) Maritime security and governance; b) Marine biodiversity and conservation; c) Philippine maritime claims; and d) Socioeconomic impacts on coastal communities. Research outputs shall be made accessible to policymakers and the public, subject to existing laws on security and information disclosure.
SEC. 9. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DepEd, CHED, PIA,
and DFA shall submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of WPS Education, including curriculum integration, materials development, and public awareness outcomes.
SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DepEd, CHED, PIA, and DFA. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of 37 this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within
2 ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the implementing 3 agencies shall promulgate the IRR.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of
6 this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions 7 and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders,
11 proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are 12 inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,