Lawmakers push DepEd to suspend CSE implementation

Lawmakers in the Philippines are questioning the Department of Education's (DepEd) implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), which has been in place since 2018.

House panel chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo cited a technical document from DepEd’s official website that includes teaching intimacy and reproduction to Kindergarten and Grade 3 students, contradicting DepEd's claim that CSE adheres only to the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

During a Senate hearing on the implementation of DO 31, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian highlighted concerns about the policy’s provision stating it 'shall apply to all learners,' while identifying adolescents as those aged 10 and above.

DepEd Undersecretary Filemon Ray Javier clarified that students below 10 years old receive only 'foundational knowledge' and not formal sex education, leading DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara to express openness to temporarily suspending CSE implementation for review.

Gatchalian maintained that confusion persists in implementing CSE and called for its suspension until the policy is clarified, emphasizing the need to stay faithful to the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.