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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House gives final nod to bill mandating tertiary level study of Philippine history during WWII

House gives final nod to bill mandating tertiary level study of Philippine history during WWII

Published Mar 4, 2026 09:57 am

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed on third and final reading a measure that seeks to integrate a comprehensive study of Philippine history during World War II (WW II) into the higher education curriculum.
American infantrymen in a ruined building during the Battle of Manila, February 1945 (Wikipedia)
American infantrymen in a ruined building during the Battle of Manila, February 1945 (Wikipedia)


The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed on third and final reading a measure that seeks to integrate a comprehensive study of Philippine history during World War II (WW II) into the higher education curriculum.
Gaining 250 affirmative votes during plenary session Tuesday afternoon, March 3 was House Bill (HB) No. 7808. It was principally authored by House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos.
“The House has been moving key education reforms with discipline, and this bill ensures our history is taught with the depth and seriousness it deserves,” Marcos said on Tuesday night after the measure achieved final passage in the legislative chamber.
HB No.7808 seeks to deepen historical awareness and preserve the stories of sacrifice, resistance and nation-building for younger generations.
The Philippines was a key player in the so-called "Pacific theater" of WW II, which lasted from Sept. 1, 1939 to Sept. 2, 1945. The global conflict involved more than 50 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
HB No. 7808 provides that a comprehensive study of Philippine history during WW II shall be integrated into the mandatory Philippine History subject under the general education curriculum in higher education institutions (HEIs).
The bill indicates that the WW II component must cover at least 50 percent of the mandatory Philippine history subjects offered under the general education curriculum.
This reflects the authors' intent to treat the period as a central chapter of national memory rather than an optional discussion that depends on time, teacher preference, or available materials.
The implementation of this requirement will be led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), in close collaboration with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) under the Department of National Defense (DND), with the goal of linking curriculum work with institutional efforts to preserve veterans’ narratives and historical records.
The bill also encourages HEIs to maintain adequate books, resources and reference materials in their libraries and learning resource centers, while CHEd is tasked to issue the implementing rules and regulations within 180 days from the law’s effectivity.
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