A consolidated bill that will mandate the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to include the heroism of Filipinos during World War II in the country’s history curriculum to sow patriotism and nationalism has been approved at the House committee level.
The Committee on Higher and Technical Education, headed by Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, approved during its 7th regular meeting the consolidated bill on House Bills (HB) No. 933 by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and HB 4157 by Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Harris Christopher Ongchuan, or “An Act Integrating a Comprehensive Study of Philippine History During World War II into the Higher Education Curriculum.”
Romulo’s version will be the lead bill.
During the hearing, Romulo argued that Filipinos learn about World War II through the heroism of foreigners and not the role of Filipinos in the period between 1941 and 1945.
“Basically, the bill mandates our higher education institutions to integrate into their history subject at least 50 percent of stories, facts about World War II wherein we will have finally stories about the magnificent valor, exceptional character of Filipino soldiers, guerillas, and citizens alike,” the lawmaker, who also sponsored a similar bill in the 18th Congress that passed on the third and final reading in plenary, explained.
He lamented that there were a lot of events during the Second World War that showed the heroism of Filipinos, but only a bit of it is being taught in school.
“Di ba sinasabi nating lahat na gusto natin (We always say we want) nationalism, patriotism. How best to achieve this but through examples, illustrations, stories of Filipinos, Filipino soldiers, guerillas, and citizens who have shown us their gallantry and valor,” Romulo said.
The lawmaker assured that this will not be a new subject, but the bill will only mandate that the history of Filipinos during the World War II shall be included in the existing History subject.
He added that the bill will make sure that Filipinos will not only see foreigners, such as Marvel’s Captain America, as role models of heroism.
“Panahon siguro na suportahin nating lahat na ang nakikitang bayani ay iyong mga ginawa ng mga fellow Filipinos natin (It is about time that we support and we see the heroism of our fellow Filipinos). That will serve a good inspiration to the people,” he said.
CHED chair Dr. Prospero De Vera III agreed with the importance of “ensuring that historical narratives on the Second World War must be emphasized” in the curriculum.
He raised concerns, however, of the commission that there is a certain percentage of the syllabus that would be imposed on the instructors.
“As far as the commission . . . it infringes academic freedom. I think the best people to determine how the syllabus should be put together and how it should be decide(d) are the experts in history, Mr. Chair,” De Vera said.
Go added that the threshold of what percentage should be taught in higher institutions should be “reasonable.”