The 2002 Basic Education Curriculum is a restructuring and not a sweeping change of the elementary and secondary curricula (NESC and NSEC). This document presents the goals of the curriculum, the rationale for its restructuring and its philosophy, basic features and conceptual framework.
Legal Bases for Philippines Basic Education
The goal, objectives, structures and content of the 2002 Curriculum are in compliance with the 1987 Constitution of the republic of the Philippines, the 2001 Governance of Basic Education Act, and the 1982 Education Act.

      Article XIV, section I, The state shall protect and promote the right of al the citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

     Article XIV, Section 2 (1). The state shall establish, maintain and support complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and societies.

      Article XIV, Section 2 (4). The state shall encourage the non-formal, in formal and indigenous learning system, as well as self-learning, independent and out-of –school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.

       Article XIV, Section 3 (2) States that the school.
      Shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge and promote vocational efficiency.

       The Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 provides the general goal of basic education to development the Filipino learners by providing them basic competencies in literacy and numeric, critical thinking and learning skills and desirable values to become caring, self reliant, productive, socially aware, patriotic and responsible citizens.