The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third reading a bill that lets President Rodrigo Duterte adjust the opening of classes during a state of emergency or calamity.
A total of 241 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 6895, which seeks to amend Republic Act 7797 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days.”
No lawmaker voted against the bill or abstained from voting.
Once the bills become a law, the President is authorized to set a different date for the start of the school year for the entire Philippines, or any part thereof, which is under a state of emergency, calamity, or similar occurrence, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education.
This law shall also apply to all basic education schools, including foreign or international schools.
