Senator Franklin Drilon on Saturday sought to revise the opening of the academic calendar from June to September to avoid the rainy season as this results to inconvenience to students, parents and school officials.
Drilon filed Senate Bill No. 2407 to propose the transfer of the commencement of the school year from three months later “for practical reasons” since the months of June, July and August are peak months for devastating typhoons in the country.
“It has become impractical and unwise to commence the school year during the typhoon season as students, parents and school authorities have to deal with floods, landslides, diseases, lack of transportation and damaged school buildings,” said Drilon in filing the bill.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 24, Chapter 9, Title VI, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1997.
Drilon went on to say that traffic congestion becomes worse with the onset of the rainy season due to massive flooding and bad road conditions, particularly in urban areas.
“In flood-prone areas, school buildings are used as evacuation centers. These facilities can be better put to use if they are not being utilized as classrooms and are ready and properly equipped for such emergency measures during the height of the rainy season,” he added.
With the approval of the measure, Drilon said that the country will avoid inconvenience and needless damage to life and property.
“In fact, the country can expect to realize untold savings in life and limb, manhours, health and fuel costs, among others, with such proposal,” he said.
He concluded that revising the school calendar would greatly benefit not only students, parents and school authorities but also the government and the economy.
