Days for recognition of student leaders, campus press freedom get Senate nod

Two bills aiming to declare every July 25 as National Campus Press Freedom Day and every November 16 as National Student Leader's Day were approved by the Senate on third and final reading.

Senate Bill No. (SBN) 747 and Senate Bill No. (SBN) 756 were sponsored by Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Art and Culture.

Escudero said that the declaration of July 25 every year as National Campus Press Freedom Day under SBN 747 would highlight "the importance of training young campus journalists as future guardians of Philippine democracy."

"Through campus journalism, students are able to practice their right to freedom of expression, opinion and information," he said.

"As responsible campus journalists, they have the opportunity of having a deeper understanding of the societal issues in our country and communicating these issues to their readers," he added. Likewise, Escudero said that the declaration of November 16 every year as National Student Leader's Day under SBN 756 would help recognize the efforts of student leaders "and promote the vital role of the youth in nation building."

"We, in any way we can, should support the youth and hone them to be creative innovators and potential lawmakers and leaders of this country," he said.

Such a move, he added, would "affirm the duty of the State to inculcate in the youth, patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs."

Escudero said that under SBN 747, educational institutions would be mandated to support the conduct of National Campus Freedom Day.

Similarly, he said that under SBN 756, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the National Youth Commission shall promote the commemoration of National Student Leader's Day in all public and private schools in the country. (JDC)