MANILA, Philippines - Sex education classes should be taught in English, a lawmaker urged on Wednesday.

This schoolyear, the Department of Education (DepEd) is set to conduct pilot tests of the controversial sex education program in 80 elementary and 79 secondary public schools nationwide.

According to Cebu representative Eduardo Gullas, teaching sex education in English could help improve the English skills of students.

"This way, the DepEd also gets to use the new program to advance the English skills of our children at an early age," Gullas said in a press release.

Aside from English, the program can be taught in Tagalog or in other regional languages and dialects.

"Of course we would prefer that it be taught entirely in English, as a language is best learned and mastered through constant exposure and use in school and elsewhere," Gullas added.

Gullas has authored an act that pushes for the strengthening of English in teaching and making it the "language of interaction" in schools.

The bill was passed in the Lower House but was not signed in the Senate. The act includes the following requirements:

* English, Filipino or the regional/native language may be used as the teaching language in all subjects from preschool to Grade 3.
* English shall be the teaching language in all academic subjects from Grades 4 to 6, and in all levels of high school.
* English and Filipino shall be taught as separate subjects in all levels of elementary and high school.
* The current language policy prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education shall be maintained in college.

Gullas said he will reintroduce the bill on July 1.

According to a survey by the Social Weather Stations, most Filipinos are convinced that English mastery leads to greater employment opportunities. However, many still lack competency in the language.

Gullas stressed the need to provide students with the language skills necessary for them to compete aggressively in all gainful job markets here and abroad.