The Department of Education (DepEd) said that former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will be remembered for advocating reforms in basic education, including the K to 12 curriculum, through the passage of Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.
“Under his watch, the DepEd also implemented several laws such as the Kindergarten Education Act [RA 10157], the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 [RA 10627], and the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013 [RA 10588],” DepEd said in a news statement in extending condolences and prayers to the Aquino following Noynoy’s death on Thursday morning.
“We are one with the Filipino nation in remembering his leader of this country,” the DepEd said.
Meanwhile, HealthJustice Philippines, a nonprofit organization, said that Aquino will be remembered by the health measures he signed into law—Republic Act 10351 (An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco) or the “Sin Tax” Reform law, which helped finance the Universal Health Care (UHC) program of the government and Republic Act 10643 (An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products) that required tobacco manufacturer’s to include a photo of the diseases caused by smoking in each pack of cigarettes.
“The Sin Tax Law, signed by President Aquino on December 20, 2012, first and foremost, helped lower the smoking prevalence in our country from 28 percent of the adult population in 2009 to 23 percent by 2015 which translates to thousands of lives saved from the harmful and addictive effects of tobacco products,” HealthJustice said.
“Both the Sin Tax Reform Law and the Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products Law are landmark legislations under the Aquino Administration. This, for us, is one of former President Aquino’s legacies. Both laws affirmed and strengthened our people’s right to a healthy society,” the HealthJustice added.
Image courtesy of Jimbo Albano