Republic of the Philippines House of Representatives Quezon City SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE BILL No 4509 INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS EXPLANATORY NOTE Itis the policy of the State to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino students According to the 1987 Constitution, the Government shall prioritize education, with the aim of fostering patriotism and nationalism, accelerating social progress, and promoting total human liberation and development among the Filipino youth. The State also recognizes its obligation to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, taking appropriate steps to make education accessible to all, and guaranteeing the students’ enjoyment of academic freedom in all institutions of higher learning However, despite this clear mandate under the Constitution, there are still existing school policies that prevent students from fully enjoying their rights. Among these are deregulated tuition fees increases, lack of independent student representation, restrictions on freedom of speech, campus journalism censorship, and other policies that inhibit the students’ academic freedom. This proposed legislation aims to provide a national framework for the students’ rights and welfare in order to specifically recognize that education is a right and such as, it can only be exercised and enjoyed fully when the rights and welfare of Filipino students are promoted and protected. This bill also acknowledges that education is essential to the full participation of Filipinos in nation-building, instilling critical and creative thinking, and other values necessary to promote civil liberties, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. There is also a need to affirm that students have the right to meaningful participation in decision-making, especially in the constructing and formulation of policies directly affecting them. Finally, this bill reinforces the students’ right to organize student organizations, student unions, and student councils and governments, In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly soughi ‘ALFRED VARGASRepublic of the Philippines House of Representatives Quezon City SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS First Regular Session 4509 HOUSE'BILL NO. INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND WELFARE Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Students’ Rights and Welfare Act of 2016.” SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which makes it an obligation of the government to prioritize education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports with the end of fostering patriotism and nationalism, accelerating social progress, and promoting total human liberation and development, to Article III of the Constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights of every Filipino citizen; and in accordance with State obligations under international agreements, including the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, International Convention on Economic and Social Rights, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, International Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino students. Pursuant to Article XIV, Sections 1 and 5(1) of the Constitution, the State hereby recognizes its obligation to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all, and guarantees the enjoyment of academic freedom in all institutions of higher learning. ‘Towards this end, the State: a) Recognizes that education is a right and such as it can only be exercised and enjoyed fully when rights and welfare of students and young Filipinos are promoted and protected, b) Acknowledges that education is essential to the full participation of Filipinos in nation-building. It is also essential in instilling nationalism, critical and creative thinking, and values necessary to promote civil liberties, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.©) Affirms that students have the right to meaningful participation in decision-making processes inside and outside educational institutions, especially in the crafting and formulation of policies directly affecting them. The promotion of this right to participate is an integral part of the nation’s democratic processes. ) Affirms that the fundamental right to expression of students shall be unabridged and autonomous from the influences of educational institutions. e) Affirms the students’ right to organize, which encompasses the right to establish student organizations, student unions, and student councils and governments, SECTION 3. Definition of Terms, - As used in this Act: a) “School” refers to a private, public or government-run and funded institution for learning in all levels of education. For purposes of this Act, the term shall include institutions for vocational and technical education but excludes those institutions for enhanced basic education. A school is comprised of the studentry, administration, faculty, and non-faculty personnel. b) “School campus” refers to areas designated by the school administration for use by students, which shall include, but are not limited to, facilities, contiguous or proximate buildings, and the school grounds. ¢) “Student” refers to any person enrolled in a particular school, as the latter is defined in sub-paragraph (a) of this Section. 4) “Governing board” refers to the highest policy-making body of the school such as a Board of Directors, Regents, or Trustees. : ¢) ‘Student council” or “Student government” is the collective term to refer to the representatives of students in a school or of students in different independent units of a school, college, or university. A designated student population annually elects members of the student council or of the student government at large following election rules in the charter or constitution of the student council or the student government. f) "Council of leaders” refers to a duly constituted body composed of the heads of all, or almost all, student organizations in a school. The chairperson or the president of the student council or student government, or any student duly elected by the members of the council of leaders shall preside over the council of leaders. 4g) “Tuition” refers to amounts paid for the privilege to receive education in a school. h) “Other school fees” refers to fees other that tuition. These include library and athletic fees, laboratory fees, entrance fees, National Service Training Program Fees, student council or student government fees, graduation fees, medical and dental fees, and other similar fees. SECTION 4. Right against discrimination in educational institutions. ~ No student shall be denied admission or dropped from the rolls of an institution, punished with disciplinary action, given mandatory counseling, or denied welfare services, scholarships, and other studentprivileges solely on the basis of physical handicap, socio-economic status, political and religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or membership in organizations. SECTION 5. Right to competent instruction and accessible, quality, relevant education, - Students have the right to accessible, competent, holistic, quality, and relevant education that is essential to personal development and to the development of the nation. Students shall also take part in teacher performance assessments through written evaluations at the end of each school term. The conduct of such assessments shall be the obligation of the school administration, SECTION 6. Right to organize. - The right of students to form, assist, or join organizations, alliances, or federations shall not be abridged. ‘The student council or the student government and the council of leaders shall formulate guidelines for the accreditation of student organizations. Such guidelines shall be implemented by the office of student affairs, in coordination with the student council or student government, which shall adopt a mechanism to resolve issues that may be raised in the accreditation process. The accreditation requirements shall not restrict the right of students to organize and may include submission of documentary requirements such as, but not limited to, a written application for accreditation, a copy of the constitution and by-laws of the organization, a general plan of action or list of activities, list of incumbent officers, and a list of members. Accredited student organizations shall coordinate with the office of student affairs for on-and off-campus activities. The school shall provide, free of charge, a hall or building within the school campus where a student organization may establish its office or permanent meeting area. Furthermore, the school administration shall allow student organizations to use school facilities for their activities free of charge. SECTION 7. Right to establish a student council or government, - There shall be a student council or student government recognized in every school, university or college, as the case may be. a) In schools, universities, or colleges where there is no existing student council or student government, the following procedure shall be followed in establishing the student council or student government: A constitution or charter of the student council or student government resulting from a consultative process involving the council of leaders and representatives of unaffiliated students shall be adopted. The constitution or charter shall be formally adopted after its ratification by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the designated student population. It shall contain provisions on the structure, functions, and responsibilities of the student council or student government. Every student council or student government shall have the right to determine its policies and programs on student activities subject to the provisions of its charter or constitution and in consonant with school rules and regulations: Provided, that the latter does not infringe on the basic rights and freedoms of students.The election of the members or officers of the student council or the student government shall be conducted by an independent commission on elections which shall ensure that such elections are honest, orderly, and peaceful. The members of the commission of elections shall be chosen from a list of nominees from members of the council of leaders. The school concerned shall ensure that the commission on elections has sufficient funds to carry out its mandate. b) In schools, universities, or colleges where there are existing student councils or student governments, student representation shall still be lodged in the duly-elected student councils or student governments. The existing procedure for the election of members of student councils or student governments shall be retained and enforced as long as it conforms to the provisions of this Act. Otherwise, the existing procedure shall have transitory effects until the designated student population has adopted a new charter or constitution consistent with the provisions of this Act. Such adoption shall be among the primary activities of the existing student council or student government. A “student council or student government fee” may be collected from students to finance the operations of the student council or student government, the amount of which shall be determined by the student council or student government in consultation with the student body and should be consistent with the student council or student government's general plan of action or list of activities for a specific term. The school administration shall facilitate the collection of the student council or student government fee and shall turn over the collected amount to the student council or student government within fifteen (15) days after the start of the semester or school period. The student council or student government shall release a financial report at the end of its term. To take effect, a proposal to increase the student council or student government fee shall require a vote of simple majority by the designated student population. No policy restricting the right of student councils or student governments to join federations or alliances of student councils shall be imposed by the school administration. SECTION 8. Right against campus militarization. - Students have the right to an academic environment free from fear and surveillance from military and police agents and instruments. Prior notification shall be given by a commander of an AFP or PNP unit intending to conduct any military or police operations in any part of a school campus, to the school president, dean, or their respective officers-in-charge in the event of their absence, when the situation so warrants. Except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency, or in cases defined in the next succeeding paragraph, or ordinary transit through a school campus, no member of the AFP or PNP shall enter the premises of a school. Whenever requested by law enforcers, theappropriate school officials shall extend the necessary assistance in the enforcement of the law within school premises. Whenever the president, dean, or their respective officers-in-charge is of the opinion that the assistance of the AFP or PNP is indispensable to the maintenance of security, peace, and order within campus premises, the said official shall inform in writing the head of the AFP or PNP unit in the area and the latter shall promptly dispatch such assistance as may be warranted by the circumstances. In case the request for assistance is granted, only uniformed members of the AFP or PNP with proper identification shall be allowed entry into the campus concerned. Members of the AFP or PNP shall not interfere with peaceful protest actions by students within school premises. The pertinent school officials shall be deemed responsible for the behavior of their students, faculty, and employees in such activities. SECTION 9. Right to publish a student newspaper and other similar publications. ~ In accordance with Republic Act No. 7079 or the "Campus Journalism Act of 1991,” students shall have the right to publish a student newspaper and other similar publications. ‘The editorial staff of the student paper shall be comprised of students. The editorial staff will have a faculty adviser who has the role of providing technical assistance. The selection of the student editor-in-chief and the members of the editorial staff shall be conducted annually through fair and competitive examinations to be administered by an impartial board of judges, which shall be comprised of professional journalists and representatives from the faculty and the students. Ethics in journalism shall be observed by the editorial staff. It shall be the responsibility of the editorial staff to ensure that the student paper is not used for purposes contrary to law. Unless sooner removed for cause and with due process, the editor-in-chief and editorial staff shall have security of tenure for the duration of his/her prescribed term. The student publication shall be financially autonomous from the school administration. A “student publication fee” shall be collected from the students and shall be held in trust by the school administration. No policy shall be imposed by the school administration to hamper the access of the editorial staff to such fund, subject to existing school regulations in the disbursement of funds. The school administration shall also be prohibited from using such fund. At the end of each term, the editorial board shall publish a financial statement. SECTION 10. Right to adequate welfare services and academic facilities. - The school administration shall endeavor to provide the following services: a) Health services for students with at least one (1) functioning clinic and a registered nurse to provide basic care for common ailments; ) Legal assistance in cases involving the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms provided in this Act; c) Counseling; d) Adequate laboratory, library, research, recreation, and physical education facilities;¢) Effective communications system to ensure that students are promptly notified and informed; ‘f) Adequate, safe, and clean board and lodging facilities, such as dormitories, inside the school campus. In case the school has no in-campus dormitories, the school administration and the student council or student government shall be required to accredit or recommend out-of-campus dormitories where students are encouraged to stay. SECTION 11. Representation in the school’s highest policy-making body. - There shall be a student representative in the highest policy-making body of the school. The selection process for the student representative will be formulated by the student council or student government, but adopted through a referendum among the students. The student representative shall have the same rights as the other members of the governing board: Provided, that no monetary compensation shall be given to the student representative except as reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings and representing the governing board. SECTION 12. Right to information. ~ The right of students to information on matters affecting their welfare shall be recognized. Atthe minimum, students shall have access to the following documents: a) Official school acts embodying schoo! policies; b) The school’s annual budget information, including pertinent transactions; and ¢) Any other document that involves the rights and welfare of the students. ‘Any student who wishes to obtain information from the school administration shall simply forward a written request through mail or through electronic means to the assigned custodian of the requested information or document. SECTION 13. Right to freedom of expression. - Students shall have the right to freely express their views and opinions. They shall have the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government and school authorities for the redress of their grievances. No school regulation shall be imposed violating or abridging the student's right to assembly. Students shall have access to print and broadcast media in their activities. They shall also have the right to print, circulate, and/or mount leaflets, newsletters, posters, wall news petitions, and such other materials. School authorities shall ensure the provision of facilities such as bulletin boards. SECTION 14, Academic freedom. - Students’ academic freedom shall consist of, but not limited to, the following rights: a) To conduct researches in connection with academic work, and to freely discuss and publish their findings and recommendations; b) To conduct inquiry within the campus in relation to curricular and extra-curricular activities;