By Ellson Quismorio
A House leader underscored the need to include the subject of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the curriculum of students from elementary to college, pointing to the ongoing calamity caused by Taal Volcano.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“With the eruption of Taal Volcano, there is need to integrate this subject into the curriculum to prepare our young people to face calamities like this," Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said in a statement Thursday.
"This subject will train our students on what to do in case of emergencies and avoid confusion and wrong actions. This is for the safety of everyone,” said the House committee on constitutional amendments chairman.
The lawmaker from Mindanao filed House Bill (HB) No. 3749 last August, proposing the inclusion of new subjects in schools, including climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
In the bill’s explanatory note, the veteran congressman said the additional subjects would provide the youth with a “stable educational foundation” and prepare them better for the “demands of the future.”
Rodriguez noted that the country has to face disasters each year, mostly brought about by storms.
His measure has since been pending with the committees on basic education and higher and technical education.
Rodriguez urged the two House panels to conduct a joint hearing next week so the bill could be speedily approved. "It is in the interest of our youth and our people in general that the subject on climate change be part of the curriculum, if possible starting next school year.”
The House of Representatives will resume sessions on Jan. 20 following a month-long holiday break.