Implementation of R.A. 1425 in LGUs mainly focusing on the Sangguniang Barangays

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The Rizal Law, signed June 12 of 1956, encompasses a mandate to all educational institutions, public or private, to provide courses that discusses the life of Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. The law includes the discussion, publication and distribution of some of his literary works particularly the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This, however, had been subjected to various reactions, controversies and disputes upon its introduction. The Catholic Church did not take the mandate lightly, arguing that enactment of such would threaten their freedom of conscience and religion. Republic Act No. 1425 was mainly proposed not for the means of adding workloads for students but to remind the youth the ideals of freedom and nationalism. Authored by Senator Claro M. Recto and approved by the Congress, the law aspires to not only educate the students about nationalism and the life of the greatest national hero but also to honor the sacrifices of our other heroes who fought for the freedom that has been long deprived to them by the Spaniards.
The law however specificied that the life of Rizal be discussed for he was an epitome of a good son and a good brother, most importantly, he was an epitome of valiance and excellence. He was born in Calamba, Laguna on the 19th of June, 1861. He was the seventh among the children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo Realonda. He was a genius, a polymath, the say. He was versatile, he was excellent in many fields of studies. But he was popularly known by many as a physician and a writer. He was eloquent in expressing his distress against the opressors through his literary works. His works varied from novels to essays and speeches some of which were Alin Mang Lahi, Toast to Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo and Sa Mga Kababaihang Taga Malolos.
His works are taught to students these days which are actually published aspiring to reach out to the youth and to ignite whatever passion or patriotism left in their hearts. Such works immoratlized him and made him know as the wise Pilosopo Tasio. With valiance he confronted the abuses of the Spaniards through these works. This display of bravery empowered the weakened spirits of our countrymen. Giving them strength to fight for what was rightfully theirs. He gave the people hope through his words alongside his comrades through the La Soledaridad. Rizal ceaselessly aspired for the ideal. He fought to liberate his fellow Filipinos under the tyranny where he had put more time and effort than he had to himself. Rizal was among the first to affirm the Filipino. He studied Philippine history to prove Filipinos had a culture of their own, prior to colonization, that the Filipinos were not inferior to the other races.
Another objective of the law is also to encourage the youth to be more like the national hero and be good citizens of this country. Also, it has been through this act that national identity is a crucial legacy that our heroes have achieved through sacrificing their own lives. This law would help awaken the passion that the Filipinos feel for their country and further fight for the good of the country. Another is that through the implementation of this law, our fellowmen would be able to see how much we are blinded by foreigners and colonizers, and how much colonial mentality has taken over the lives of the people. Still, another is that through studying the works of Rizal, Filipinos would have a sense of accomplishment and they would feel very proud of their country and their heritage, which would lead to nationalism and unification of the country. The things that the national hero so aspired the most.
However, as per the findings, there is evident inconsistency in the implementation and application of the law both in schools and in the whole community. This may be because of people’s disinterest in such laws. Nowadays, we are influenced by how the trends have been evolving. This law may have been implemented some time in the 20th century but at present people are more interested with blending in with the new vogue, namely, patronizing foreign cultures. Thus, disregarding what’s actually ours instead of enriching them through appreciation and living up into the ideals of our national hero and actually honoring his words that the youth are the hope of this country.
There was lack of continuity from what was learned about RA 1425 in school and what was applied in the community. Rizal’s life and works is part of all tertiary curriculum to instill Philippine history and culture into the new generation. As shown in section 1, the Rizal Law, mandates the study of Rizal’s life and works. This Republic Act was enacted with the objective of increasing the Filipinos sense of nationalism during a time when the Filipino identity was dwindling. What we learned in school – the history, values, etc. – should not remain there, rather, must be applied in the community.
They also delved into assessing how the Barangay Councils’ respond to the law as well as the involvement of the Sangguniang Kabataan through evaluating the programs of their alignment with the objectives of R.A. 1425. The findings showed that none of the barangays have copies of the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as mandated under Section 3. Further, out of the 14 barangays that were subjected, only 1 had a library. The remainder reasoned out that they were not aware that a barangay hall should have a library and/or such programs involving literacy should be the resposibility of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials. However, the only one with the library confessed that they are uncertain of the availability of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s novels.
Hence, there was no implementation of Section 3 in the different barangays in Tacloban City. If you go around the different Purok Organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country, you will not find any writings of Jose Rizal in English, Tagalog, or in principal Philippine dialects. Jose Rizal’s works can only be found in school libraries, bookstores, etc. This section is very important in making available Rizal’s life and works not only to those who can afford going to school, but as well as to those who cannot.
“SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.”
Therefore, the Republic Act. 1425 has become irrelevant and impracticable now because of its obsolecense. Thus, creating the need for its re-orientation at the barangay level. The people should be made knowledgeable of its objectives through enforcing programs relevant to the law. In this case, they can develop activities and programs that can bridge the gap between its applicability in schools and communities. Because despite its effectivity clause provided in Section 5., it’s clear how such a law is disregarded when Local Government Units should be duly enforcing the law. They are responsible for the enactment of laws along with the Sangguniang Kabataan officials. Without their stand and efforts on the matter, even the mere introduction or discussion of the aforementioned law will be futile.
“SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.”
Aside from the relevance and applicability of Republic Act No. 1425 in certain communities in Tacloban City, this was also conducted to assess and address issues relating to residents’ participation in the community through programs implemented reflecting the ideals by the law. The data which were accumulated using survey questionnaire and interviews have shown that majority of the barangays implement sports development, feeding program and drug awareness campaigns and somehow varies with other barangays because of some activities’ peculiarity like Pentakasi (Cleanliness) and Katropa (Responsabling mga Tatay). The latter however are the programs alongside Responsible Parenthood and Livelihood that are almost not among the priority programs of the barangays subjected this research. The data shows that most the barangays prioritize programs that more concerns the youth and some of which does not even align with the law. Most of the programs implemented by the different barangays cater to civic conscience objective of the law and the least implemented programs relate to the development of moral character.
This propose that it is imperative to intensify the development of moral character by designing more programs that would address the need of this objective. This objective may be addressed through introducing or reiterating values to the children in Tacloban City. This may be aligned with the another step which is currently being proposed to be discussed in Congress which is the reestablishing of the subject Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC). This once helped raising morally upright citizens and it would certainly help now.