Press Release
September 19, 2011

DRILON TO PUSH FOR MOVING SCHOOL OPENING TO SEPTEMBER

Senator Franklin Drilon on Monday renewed his call to transfer the opening of the school year from June to September to prevent class disruptions and as a result of the rainy season.

"Suspension of classes means less time in the classroom. Less time in the classroom means less absorption by our schoolchildren," said Drilon, who filed Senate Bill No. 2407 last year that proposes the transfer of the commencement of the school year, noting that the months of June, July and August are peak months for devastating typhoons in the country.

The Drilon bill seeks to amend Section 24, Chapter 9, Title VI, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code.

Drilon said that school suspensions are more prevalent in the second half of the year than in the first half, which constitutes the summer months.

"If the school calendar is revised, our schoolchildren will be less exposed to the very adverse weather conditions, especially here in Metro Manila," he added.

During Monday's hearing of the DepEd's P238.8 billion budget for 2012, Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, asked the DepEd to study if legislation is needed to move the opening of classes.

"The DepEd will now have to review the school year and see whether or not they can make adjustments. They are just in the process of studying this proposal which I have made sometime back," said Drilon. "I am glad that the study is being done and hopefully we can get something more concrete in the next few weeks in this proposal."

He said if his proposal is passed, students and parents will be spared from the inconvenience and hazards of numerous typhoons entering the Philippines.

"I am just suggesting to the DepEd that a decision be made because, in my view, all indications would lead to the need to revise our school year for the benefit of everyone.

"If they are not authorized under the law and the advice of the DepEd is that it is a program that would benefit everyone, we will activate the legislation that we have filed on this and push for its passage," said Drilon.

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