Politics · Philippines Bureau
DepEd questioned over need to reiterate Pride Month voluntary participation
Lawmakers have challenged the Department of Education's decision to reissue guidance clarifying that student participation in Pride Month activities remains optional. The reiteration has sparked questions about why such clarification was deemed necessary when voluntary participation has been long-standing policy.
LSN Philippines ·
The Department of Education faced scrutiny during House budget deliberations over its recent memorandum reiterating that student involvement in Pride Month celebrations is voluntary, not compulsory. Akbayan party-list Representative Percival Cendaña raised the issue during plenary discussions on DepEd's 2027 budget proposal, questioning the rationale behind restating what has historically been established protocol. The lawmaker sought clarification on whether the reiteration signaled a policy shift or reflected concerns about implementation at the ground level. DepEd officials did not immediately provide detailed responses to the specific inquiries raised during the budget hearing. The exchange underscores ongoing discussions in Congress about how the education department communicates its policies to schools and communities regarding sensitive cultural observances.