Senate approves bills setting days for campus freedom, student leaders

The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading two bills seeking to declare every July 25 as National Campus Press Freedom Day and every November 16 as National Student Leader’s Day.

In a statement, Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Art and Culture, said the declaration of July 25 every year as National Campus Press Freedom Day under Senate Bill No. 747 would highlight “the importance of training young campus journalists as future guardians of Philippine democracy.”

“Through campus journalism, students [can] practice their right to freedom of expression, opinion and information,” he said.

Likewise, the senator said that the declaration of November 16 every year as National Student Leader’s Day under Senate Bill No. 756 would help recognize the efforts of student leaders “and promote the vital role of the youth in nation building.”

“We, in any way we can, should support the youth and hone them to be creative innovators and potential lawmakers and leaders of this country,” he noted.

According to Escudero, the bills would “affirm the duty of the State to inculcate in the youth, patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.” /ee