Metro Manila, Philippines – A lawmaker has proposed the withdrawal of an Education Department order that carried out the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for its supposedly questionable method.
The Department of Education (DepEd) said during the House basic education and culture committee hearing on Monday, Jan. 27, that Department Order (DO) 31 on the CSE has been in place since 2018.
A number of lawmakers questioned this without an enabling law and whether or not it is based on Philippine culture and traditions instead of international standards.
Manila Rep. Benny Abante suggested rescinding the DO, saying it is unconstitutional.
“We uphold our Constitution, we promote morality, we preserve moral values, and we protect our youth. That is in the Constitution, and Order 31 is highly unconstitutional,” Abante said. “Tuturuan mo ng sexual reproductive organ? Moral values ba ito?”
[Translation: You’re going to teach them sexual reproductive organs? Are these part of moral values?]
Panel chairperson Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo also criticized the DepEd order.
“Sa (In the) K-3 po, based even on our national assessment tests, ang problema pa nga natin (our problem) is reading comprehension and then here they go, wanting already to teach a sensitive subject matter, which in truth and in fact – I think we can all agree – is just too early,” he said.
Support for Order 31
Some lawmakers, meanwhile, supported the CSE in schools and that the lessons should be age-appropriate.
“(It’s) 2025 na (already) and we have to accept the fact that part of our being humans is being sexual,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said. “Kaya mas tingin ko, as a youth representative, mas mainam na sa murang edad ay meron tayong naituturo nang naaayon din sa kanilang edad.”
[Translation: As a youth representative, it is better that we are teaching children at a young age with appropriate topics.]
“Ngayon kasi, 2025, baka advanced na ‘yung bata na mag-isip… ‘Yung kanilang CSE nga 2018, medyo six years na before, medyo delayed na nga ‘yung kanilang CSE,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said.
[Translation: It is already 2025, some kids may have an advanced mindset. The DepEd’s CSE has been implemented since 2018, about six years ago. Their CSE may not be updated.]
The CSE aims to educate the youth to avoid teen pregnancies.
Based on government data, teenage pregnancies declined from around 180,000 in 2019 to 142,000 in 2023.
The House plenary approved House Bill 8910 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act in 2023. But some lawmakers want it reverted to the committee for further review.
The Senate counterpart bill, meanwhile, is facing hurdles after advocacy group Project Dalisay released a video, citing concerns on the measure that went viral online.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a substitute bill to clarify misconceptions and disinformation on the measure.
