Policy on the Offering of Filipino and Panitikan Subjects in All Higher Education Programs as Part of the New General Education Curriculum

April 11, 2018

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 4, S. 2018

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994 and by virtue of Commission En Banc Resolution No. 154-2018 dated 10 April 2018, the following policy is hereby promulgated by the Commission on the offering of Filipino and Panitikan subjects in all higher education programs as part of the New General Education Curriculum which shall be implemented effective Academic Year 2018-2019.

Background

This policy is being issued in compliance with Supreme Court En Banc Resolution dated April 21, 2015, in the case entitled "Dr. Bienvenido Lumbrera, et al. vs. President Benigno Aquino, et al., G.R. No. 217451, the dispositive portion of which states:

"NOW, THEREFORE, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court, You, respondents, your agents, representatives, or persons acting in your place or stead, are hereby ENJOINED from implementing and enforcing the provision of Commission on Higher Education Memorandum No. 20, series of 2013, insofar as it excluded from the curriculum for college Filipino and Panitikan as core courses."

The Supreme Court Resolution did not, however, enjoin the Commission from implementing and enforcing CMO No. 20, series of 2013, hence provisions of the said Memorandum, except the exclusion of Filipino and Panitikan as core courses, will still be implemented. ATICcS

The Policy

A. All HEIs are enjoined to implement as part of all baccalaureate degree programs, per CHED Memorandum Order No. 59, series of 1996 and CMO No. 04, series of 1997, the following minimum requirements, insofar as Filipino and Panitikan courses are concerned:

As to those fields of study, which are related to Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication:

Filipino	-	9 units
Literature	-	6 units

As to students majoring in fields other than Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may follow these minimum requirements:

Filipino

-

6 units

Literature as e.g., in Humanities subjects

In both instances, at the discretion of the HEI, Literature subjects may be taught in Filipino, English of any other language as long as there are enough instructional materials for the same and both students and instructors/professors are competent in the language.

In order for HEIs to include Filipino and Panitikan as core courses in their curriculum, the inclusion of 9 units of GE electives starting Academic Year 2018-2019 as prescribed in CMO No. 20, series of 2013 is hereby deferred.

B. The eight core courses (24 units) identified in CMO No. 20, series of 2013, along with the mandated course on Rizal's life and works based on RA No. 1425 (3 units), will be taught starting AY 2018-2019:

1. Understanding the Self/Pag-unawa sa Sarili

2. Readings in Philippine History/Mga Babasahin Hingil sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

3. The Contemporary World/Kasalukuyang Daigdig

4. Mathematic in the Modern World/Matematika sa Makabagong Daigdig

5. Purposive Communication/Malayuning Komunikasyon

6. Art Appreciation/Pagpapahalaga sa Sining

7. Science, Technology and Society/Agham, Teknolohiya at Lipunan

8. Ethics/Etika

9. The Life and Works of Rizal/Ang Buhay at mga Akda ni Rizal

C. HEIs in the exercise of their academic programs in its curricular offerings shall have the flexibility to determine the appropriate terms (semester/trimester/quarter) where the above-mentioned Filipino courses shall be offered.

D. The Commission encourages HEIs to maintain their Filipino Departments in order for them to continue offering their Filipino and Panitikan courses.

For strict compliance of all HEIs and concerned officials until further order from the Commission. TIADCc

Issued this April 11, 2018, Quezon City, Philippines.

For the Commission:

(SGD.) J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA

Officer-in-Charge