THE HOUSE Committee on Basic Education has approved the consolidated measures and resolution expressing the sense of the House that the academic calendar be adjusted to the old academic calendar, which starts in June and ends in March.

The panel chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo consolidated House Bills 8508 and 8550, as well as House Resolution 940.

Romulo said even before the consolidated measures, the committee had discussed the possibility of reverting to the old-school calendar.

“Kahit wala pang hearing ay hini-hear na namin ang isyu dahil marami ang naapektuhan at may mga panig para sa pagbabalik sa summer break. Matagal na naming dinidinig ito,” Romulo said.

The lawmaker explained that the issue will have an impact on 28 million students, parents, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.

However, Romulo admitted whatever school calendar the government intends to implement, climate change remains a challenge.

“In fact, nagsalita ang PAGASA nagsabi kahit ano ang piliin ng DepEd may kaakibat na challenges dahil may climate change na rin. Hindi natin alam gaano karami ang bagyo, kasama na rin rin sa climate change, ang init,” he said.