IT was a fruitful day for the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture when it convened Wednesday for its organizational meeting.
The panel chaired by Rep. Roman Romulo (Lone District, Pasig City) approved several versions of the measures which the House approved on third and final reading in the last 18th Congress. Romulo cited Section 48 of the House Rules of the 18th Congress which was adopted in the 19th Congress in approving the bills.
Section 48 states that “In case of bills or resolutions that are identified as priority measures of the House, which were previously filed in the immediately preceding Congress and have been approved on third reading, the same may be disposed of as matters already reported upon the approval of majority of the Members of the committee present, there being a quorum.”
Approved were House Bill 561 authored by Rep. France Castro (Party-list, ACT TEACHERS); HB 636 by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda (2nd District, Albay), HB 932 by Romulo, HB 1348 by Rep. Christian Tell Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), HB 1928 by Rep. Alfred Delos Santos (Party-list, ANG PROBINSIYANO) and HB 2466 by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City); HB 929 by Romulo; HBs 931 by Romulo and HB 1097 by Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. (2nd District, Camarines Sur); and HB 930 by Romulo.
HB 561 would recognize the annual observance of World Education Support Personnel Day and declare May 16 of every year as the National Education Support Personnel Day in the Philippines. HBs 636, 932, 1348, 1928 and 2466 would establish the public schools of the future in technology. HB 929 would strengthen the promotion and delivery of mental health services in basic education, while HBs 931 and 1097 would establish the Philippine High School for the Creative Arts System.
Meanwhile, HB 930 would rename the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) to National Literacy Council. The panel also approved the proposed rules for the Committee on Basic Education and Culture for the 19th Congress.
