NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 171
of tt't <€•;T.r-.ii p
‘22 JUL-7 P4:15
RHCtlVFDBV;
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Explanatory Note
It is the policy of the State to promote and protect the right of all 
citizens to quality education at all levels and take the appropriate steps to 
make such education accessible to all. It is also the policy of the State to 
promote Industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural 
development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and 
efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in 
both domestic and foreign markets.
The Philippines Is regarded as one of the world's mega-biodiversity 
countries which are rich in both flora and fauna. Agriculture is the backbone 
of our economy. According to the latest data from the World Bank, the 
Philippine agriculture sector employs 23% of the workforce.1 In 2010, the 
Philippines was regarded as the top rice producer In the world.2 At present, 
however, the country is only the 8th top rice producer in the world,3 and is
1«Employment in Agriculture,” retrieved at https://data.worldbank.org/mdicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS .
2 “Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Philippine Rice Cultivation,” retrieved at 
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/amia philippines.pdf.
3 “The World’s Biggest Rice Producers,” retrieved at https://www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds- 
biggest-rice-producers/.


even one of the world's top rice importers. This shows that despite the 
country being one of the most mega-diverse in the world, it still lacks the 
capacity to produce its own rice. The situation threatens the food security of 
the country.
One way to increase the capacity of the country for agriculture and 
related industries Is to promote agricultural education as early as in secondary 
school. Republic Act No. 10618, or the "Rural Farm Schools Act," mandated 
the Department of Education to encourage the establishment of at least one 
public rural farm school in every province in the country. On the other hand, 
this bill seeks to establish a national agricultural high school and agricultural 
secondary schools in every region of the country which shall all be integrated 
into one system. This includes the determination of how the current rural farm 
schools established under RA 10618 can be integrated into the system that 
will be formed under this bill. This proposed legislation will promote the 
establishment of a complete, adequate, and integrated national system of 
education for the agriculture sector.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
TOL" N. TOLENTINO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 171
I; , ii e»- u-a .
of Isjp 
P
*22 JUL-7 P4:15
RKEIVi:3 BV: 
,
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
1 
AN ACT
2 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM
3 
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine
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Agricultural High School (PAHS) System Act of 2022."
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the
State:
(a) 
To protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at 
all levels and take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. 
Further, the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and 
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society; and 
encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self­
learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that 
respond to community needs;
(b) 
Promote industrialization and full employment based on sound 
agricultural development, through Industries that make full and efficient use of 
human and natural resources;


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(c) 
Recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as well
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as cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to participate in the
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planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support
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to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial,
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production, marketing, and other support services; and
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(d) 
Give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and
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their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services. The
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State shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
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technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems
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and national life.
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To this end, the State hereby establishes the Philippine Agricultural High
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School ("PAHS") System that will assume a leadership role in secondary level
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agricultural education.
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Section 3. Objectives. - In implementing the foregoing policy, the State
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shall pursue the following objectives:
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(a) 
Establish a main national agricultural high school and other agricultural
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secondary schools in different parts of the country and integrate them into one
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system of governance and management;
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(b) 
Integrate rural farm schools established under Republic Act No. 10618,
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or the "Rural Farm Schools Act," under the PAHS System;
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(c) 
Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematize operations of
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schools under the PAHS System; and
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(d) 
Rationalize the establishment of agricultural high schools as defined in
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this Act.
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Section 4. Scope. - The PAHS System shall be composed of the agricultural
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high schools which shall be established under this Act, and the rural farm schools
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established under Republic Act No. 10618 which shall be integrated under this Act.
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Section 6. Philippine Agricultural High School System. - There shall be
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established a national agricultural high school to be known as the "Philippine


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Agricultural High School (Main Campus)." Agricultural high schools shall likewise be
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established in municipalities, cities, and provinces in the country.
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These agricultural high schoois shall provide on a free scholarship basis high
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school education with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the agricultural
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sciences.
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Section 7. Over-all Coordinating Authority. - The PAHS System shall be
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under the administrative supervision of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the
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Department of Education (DepEd).
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The DA together with the DepEd shall institutionalize high standards of quality
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assurance in the PAHS System. These standards shall involve prescribing guideiines
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and policies on the operation and management of agricultural schools as well as
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basic curricula content to ensure the credibility and academic integrity of such
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agricultural schools.
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Section 8. Board of Regents. - The PAHS (Main Campus) and the
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agricultural high schools established under this Act shall have the general powers set
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out under Republic Act No. 11232, or the "Revised Corporation Code," and the
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exercise of its powers is hereby vested exciusively in the Board of Regents of the
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PAHS System. The Board of Regents shall be composed of the Secretary of
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Agriculture as ex-officio Chairperson, the Secretary of Education as ex-officio Vice
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Chairperson, and the following members: the President of the University of the
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Philippines, the Executive Director of PAHS (Main Campus), and the Director of the
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Science Education Institute (SEI) as ex-officio Members; and one (1) representative
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each from the private sector representing higher education, agriculture, and new
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and emerging technologies as regular Members. The private sector representatives
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shall be appointed by the Chairperson subject to the confirmation of the Board of
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Regents, and shall serve for a term of four (4) years, unless sooner removed from
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office for cause.
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The Board shall exercise the following powers:
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(a) To determine the site of the PAHS (Main Campus) and the agricultural
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high schools to be established municipalities, cities, and provinces in the country;


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(b) 
To receive and appropriate in trust to the ends specified by law such 
legacies, gifts, sums, and donations of real and personal property of all kinds and to 
administer the same in accordance with the directions and instructions of the donor, 
and in default thereof, in such manner as the Board of Regents may in its discretion 
determine, for the benefit of the High School or for aid to any of its students;
(c) 
To approve appointments made and contracts entered into by the 
Executive Director and Campus Directors in connection with the employment of 
professors, instructors, lecturers, and other employees of the school, subject to 
Section 14 of this Act; to fix their compensation, promotion, renewal, retention, 
rewards, incentives, and other conditions of employment; and to remove them for 
cause after due investigation and hearing;
(d) 
To formulate its own ruies of procedure, policies, and guidelines, and 
to prescribe for the administration of the PAHS System such general rules and 
regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with the purposes of this Act;
(e) 
Approve the curricula and course of study submitted by the Executive 
Director;
(f)
(g)
students;
(h)
Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students; 
Approve the grant of scholarship, stipend, and such allowances to
Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various 
PAHS campuses;
(i) 
Formulate policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty, and
staff;
(j) 
Approve the PAHS System budget and appropriate to the ends 
specified by law such sums as may be provided by law for the support of the 
System;
(k) 
Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements 
thereof; donations, contributions, bequest, gifts, and to formulate policies for the 
administration thereof;
(l) 
Develop policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses 
under the PAHS System;


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(m) Set policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment of agricultural
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high schools under the System, for its evaluation and approval thereof; and
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(n) Prepare strategic plans to enhance the capability of the System in
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developing human resources with focus on youth with special talents in agriculture
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science.
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A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of all members holding
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office at the time of meeting of the Board is called. All processes against the Board
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of Regents shall be served on the Executive Director or the Secretary thereof.
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Section 9. Executive Director. - There shall be an Executive Director of
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the PAHS (Main Campus) who shall be appointed by the Chairperson, subject to the
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approval of the Board and shall be conferred the rank equivalent to a bureau
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director with a fixed term of six (6) years, renewable for another term. The
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Executive Director shall coordinate the implementation of policies and guidelines set
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by the Board of Regents. As a member of the Board of Regents, the Executive
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Director shall articulate to the Board the mutual concerns of all the campuses.
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The Executive Director shall perform the following roles and functions:
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(a) 
Coordinate curriculum planning activities for the PAHS System;
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(b) 
Oversee research projects related to agricultural science;
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(c) 
Coordinate publication of research outputs of teachers, administrators,
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and students from the PAHS System;
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(d) 
Coordinate exchange programs with other educational institutions both
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local and foreign;
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(e) 
Develop and coordinate linkages and networking among the campuses
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of the PAHS System with other institutions;
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(f) 
Coordinate the implementation of the program for the identification
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and selection of scholars for the PAHS System;
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(g) 
Provide secretariat services to the Board of Regents; and
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(h) 
Perform such other functions as may be deemed necessary.
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For the efficient and effective implementation of the foregoing functions, the
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Executive Director shall be provided with a staff.


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Section 10. Campus Director. - The agricultural high schools established
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under this Act different from the PAHS Main Campus shall each be headed by a
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Campus Director who shall be appointed by the Board, upon recommendation of the
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Executive Director on the basis of a search process. He/she shall have a fixed term
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of six (6) years, renewable for another term at the option of the Board. The Campus
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Director shall not be removed from office except for cause,
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The Campus Director shall be the administrative and academic head of
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his/her campus and shall be responsible for its smooth operations. The Campus
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Director may constitute a consultative body which may act as a citizen's arm to
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Interpret the educational needs of the service area of the campus.
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Section 11. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive
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Committee composed of the Executive Director, the Campus Directors in all the
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agricultural high schools included in the PAHS System, the heads of departments,
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and such other ranking faculty members or officials of the PAHS System as may be
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determined by the Executive Director, as members. The Committee shall be collegial
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in character. It shall have the power to screen and select the students to be
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admitted to the high schools; to select students who shall be recipients of
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scholarship, stipends, and other allowances in accordance with duly promulgated
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criteria and rules; and to develop the curricula, course of study, and rules of
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discipline, all subject to the approval of the Board. The Committee shall have the
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exclusive power to recommend students eligible for graduation.
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The Committee shall implement and execute the policies laid down by the
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Board of Regents and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as the
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Board may prescribe.
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Section 12. Registrar. - The PAHS (Main Campus) shall have a Registrar
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who shall also act as Secretary of the Board of Regents. The Registrar shall be
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appointed by the Executive Director with the approval of the Board of Regents.
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He/She shall keep such records as may be prescribed by the Board.
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All other Registrars of the agricultural high schools in the PAHS System shall
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be appointed by their respective Campus Directors with the approval of the Board of
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Regents.


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Section 13. Treasurer, - The PAHS (Main Campus) shall have a treasurer
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who shall be appointed by the Executive Director with the approval of the Board of
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Regents. All accounts and expenses shall be audited by the Commission on Audit
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(COA).
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Section 14. Professors, Instructors, and other Faculty Members, -
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Professors, instructors, and other faculty members of the PAHS System shall be
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exempt as such from any civil service examination or regulations as a requisite to
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appointment. They shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be
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established by the Board of Regents which shall include, if necessary and
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practicable, competitive screening examination.
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Section 15. Donations, Legacies, Gifts, and Other Contributions. - All
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donations, legacies, gifts, and other contributions for the benefit of the PAHS System
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or its support and maintenance or for aid to any of its students shall be tax-exempt
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and shall be an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donors. For the
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purpose of the income tax, the PAHS System shall be exempt from the payment of
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all taxes, fees, assessments, and other charges of the Government, its branches,
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and subdivisions.
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Section 16. Philippine Agricultural High School (PAHS) System Fund,
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- All income and donations to the PAHS (Main Campus) or the agricultural high
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schools created under this Act shall constitute a special fund to be known as the
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Philippine Agricultural High School (PAHS) System Fund. This fund shall be expended
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by the Board of Regents exclusively for the purposes of this Act.
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Section 17. Funding. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, including the
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operation of the PAHS (Main Campus) and agricultural high schools established
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under this Act, including the operations of the schools, the acquisition, improvement,
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and development of the land on which the schools shall be built, the construction,
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maintenance, and repair of buildings and improvements, and the acquisition of
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furniture, fixtures, and equipment, an initial appropriation of Five Hundred Million
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Pesos (PhpSOO,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, such amounts as
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may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in


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the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Department of Agriculture as a
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separate and distinct item.
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Section 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60)
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days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board of Regents shall promulgate the
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implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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Section 19. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
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not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Section 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
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regulations, or portions thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
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amended, or modified accordingly.
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Section 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,