Senate ratifies GMRC bill

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has ratified the measure mandating the Department of Education to include good manners and right conduct (GMRC) as a regular subject in elementary and high schools.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian thanked both houses of Congress for approving the measure that will institutionalize GMRC and values education in the K-12 curriculum.

“I have the honor of submitting for ratification a copy of the bicameral conference report on the disagreeing provisions Senate Bill 1224 and House Bill 5829 … When this bill becomes a law, our children will be taught GMRC and values education with the same amount of time that they are taught math, science, English and other core subjects,” Gatchalian said in his sponsorship speech.

The Senate and House panels have met and discussed to work out a reconciled version of their respective bills, according to the senator. 

“We have come up with a legislation that, on its face, may appear to be merely legislating that the subjects of GMRC and values education be taught in the K-12 Curriculum. But I believe ... that the core of this measure is to create a ‘space’ in every school day of every learner in K-12 to be taught on, and to learn about, values,” he said.

The bill will be submitted to Malacanang for the signature of President Duterte.