As Republic Act No. 11476 or the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Act marks its 6th year, CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva called for a thorough assessment of how the law is being implemented in schools, stressing that the government must utilize the core subject to intensify values formation and counter the negative influences of online world to Filipino youth.
The GMRC Act was signed into law on June 25, 2020.
The appeal comes in the wake of the recent shooting incident in Tacloban City, which has once again raised concerns about violence, discipline, and the moral formation of young people. Reports said that the minor suspects were heavily exposed to social media influences which advocate violence.
As principal author of the law, Rep. Villanueva said the law was enacted precisely to help cultivate character, responsibility, respect, and compassion among Filipino learners amid rapidly changing social realities.
“Six years after the passage of the GMRC and Values Education Act, we must honestly ask ourselves: Are we merely teaching lessons, or are we pursuing real character formation even against the onslaught of values-eroding influences of the social media and online world? Education must not only be about developing the mind; it is also about shaping the heart, strengthening the conscience, and nurturing respect for the dignity of every human life,” he said.
The CIBAC lawmaker emphasized that though schools play a vital role in values formation, they cannot carry the responsibility alone. It is a whole of the society approach which includes the family, the government, the church, the media and other institutions that should do its respective part.
“Values formation begins long before a child enters the classroom. The home remains the first school, and parents remain the first teachers. No curriculum, no matter how well-designed, can fully replace the daily example of love, discipline, responsibility, and respect that children learn from their families,” he said.
Villanueva urged the Department of Education and other concerned agencies to evaluate the implementation of the law and identify areas where values education can be further strengthened, especially in an age increasingly shaped by social media, online influences, and growing mental health challenges among the youth.
“The tragic incident in Tacloban reminds us that laws alone cannot transform society. We must intentionally cultivate a culture that values life, respects others, and promotes accountability. Character formation must be a shared responsibility among families, schools, communities, faith institutions, and government. As we commemorate the anniversary of this landmark law, let us renew our commitment to raising a generation that is not only academically excellent, but also morally grounded, socially responsible, and guided by compassion, integrity, and reverence for God. The future of our nation depends not only on what our children know, but on the kind of people they become,” Rep. Villanueva ended.
