Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso vowed to bring back the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) program in all schools in the city.
In a meeting with Department of Education (DepEd) and Manila Division of City Schools (MDCS) officials on Tuesday, Domagoso said they aim to bring back "respect and compassion for each other" with the revival of the GMRC program.
"Kapag nabalik 'yung respect to point of views, importante iyon (It is important to bring back respect to point of views). While we argue, while we disagree, but there is certain level of respect among each other, sa tingin ko tatamaan lahat yun, na kapag alam niyang may mali, alam niyang hindi niya dapat gawin iyon (I think that would affect everyone, that when they know there is something wrong, they know they should not do it)," he said in a statement.
"Ang malasakit kasi, it's a big word. Marami nang nakapaloob doon—respeto, pagpapahalaga, disiplina. When you care, you'll understand naturally ultimo yung maliliit na bagay (Compassion is a big word. It encompasses so many things—respect, value, discipline. When you care, you'll understand naturally even the smallest things)," he added.
The Manila mayor said they will implement information dissemination efforts such as seminars for the GMRC program for students and teachers.
Domagoso also said that the city government will "gladly support" in strengthening the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program for senior high schools by building more Science and Math laboratories.
"Ang paghulma sa bata as indibidwal sa kanyang pamayanan ay nakasalalay talaga sa paaralan kasi mas malaking portion ng oras sa loob ng isang araw, andoon siya sa educational institution, nasa care ng mga teacher (Molding children as individuals in their communities really depends on schools because a bigger portion of their time in a day is spent in educational institutions, under the care of teachers)," he said.
The meeting was held as the national government is also discussing the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as GMRC and Values Education Act for the country.
Under the law, the GMRC program shall be taught as a separate subject for students from Grade 1 to Grade 12, with the same time allotment of other subjects.