Tan, John Carlo C.

Rizal

U2A 9/11/2019

The R.A. 1425 also known as the Rizal Law is not being strictly implemented and the
results can easily be seen but not abiding the law just proves that another law in the country
“has no teeth”. There can be a lot of reasons why the act is not being followed; one who already
studied Rizal’s works might not even be aware that such act exists.

Letting the results speak for the law’s implementation, it can be seen that the Rizal Law is
nowhere near to being taken seriously, SCUs do not even have the “adequate” copies of his
works as stated in the 3rd section of the act how could we even expect them to have the books
translated to different dialects of the country. Of course not abiding by the law has its own
punishment but why can we not see the SCUs who are not complying get punished? It seems like
there is no specific punishment for not following this law but the way how generations of Filipino
youth suggests otherwise. The law was made for a reason and it makes sense why it was because
we badly need it these days; with youth knowing who Rizal is but not knowing nor appreciating
his works does not only affect their grades in school but most importantly their patriotism
towards the country is nowhere to be found. The youth only studies Rizal’s works because it is
mandated not because they want to is a hindrance towards their learning the law’s sole purpose,
to rededicate the youth’s lives and make them appreciate not only Rizal but all the people who
sacrificed themselves for this country.

In the early years after the law was published Catholic schools threatened to close
because some of Rizal’s works contradicts their belief but the government just let it through
knowing that they were too profitable to close; they did not close and the law passed through. If
losing profit is what makes them take things seriously then hefty fines not of a specific amount
but a percentage of the SCUs who are not complying to the law will surely change their minds.