AN ACT DECLARING THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY", MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO LEAD IN ITS OBSERVANCE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12178, April 15, 2025 ]

AN ACT DECLARING THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY", MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO LEAD IN ITS OBSERVANCE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Education Support Personnel Day Act ".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to undertake initiatives that will recognize the vital role of Education Support Personnel in the realization of the right to education, in fostering positive and safe learning environments, and in ensuring that public and private educational institutions function effectively in providing quality education for all learners and students.

Section 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term "Education Support Personnel" refers to the persons employed in teaching-related or non-teaching positions of any public or private school college, university, or other educational institution, including but not limited to teaching assistants, registrars, librarians, doctors, nurses,schools division counselors, school counselor, school counselor associates, guidance counselors, psychologists, clerks, and the rest of the professional, administrative, technical, and general staff who provide support to learners, students, and teaching personnel.

Section 4. National Education Support Personnel Day. - In recognition of the observance of the World Education Support Personnel Day, the sixteenth (16th) day of May of every year is hereby declared a special working holiday to be known as the "National Education Support Personnel Day".

Section 5. Inter-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Effort; Implementation. - The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education shall serve as the lead agencies in the preparation and implementation of the annual program of activities for the observance of the National Education Support Personnel Day.

To ensure the meaningful observance and celebration of this day, the heads of national government agencies and government-owned and/or -controlled corporations involved in education, local government units, and private sector employers involved in education are encouraged to allow their respective personnel to participate in any related activity to be held within the premises of their respective offices or establishments.

Section 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2872 and House Bill No. 4896, was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2025 and February 5, 2025, respectively.

Approved: APR 15 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines