SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1583
I i r*: . ■
: etts t  .■■rtrvv
*17 
S E P n 
P3- 42
KLU.U
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Public schools in the Philippines are plagued by numerous problems that prevent 
students from receiving the best quality education.
In rural areas, some children are forced to erase an entire notebook's contents so 
that it may be re-used by a sibling in the next school year.
Meanwhile, our students in urban centers are crammed into overcrowded 
classrooms in school buildings that often have substandard and inadequate basic facilities 
such as bathrooms and clinics.
We find hope in municipalities scattered around the country that have triumphed 
over these challenges of student poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources.
In 
a 
remotely-located 
elementary school in 
Northern 
Samar, 
for 
instance, 
extraordinary community engagement and high stakeholder participation in school activities 
led to its top performance in national tests, proving that it truly takes a village to raise a 
child.
Recognizing the critical and transformative role community engagement plays 
in school performance, this bill seeks to amend Title IV, Sections 89 to 101 of Republic Act 
No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991", to strengthen the 
mandate of every local school board at the municipal, city, and provincial level.
Under 
this 
legislation, 
the local school board, 
composed 
of 
various school stakeholders within and outside of government, would be responsible for 
conducting grassroots consultations with the community to identify school needs, 
monitor school performance, and act as an advisory council for school administrators.
More importantly, the Local School Board (LSB) would be responsible for the proper 
and appropriate disbursement of the Special Education Fund (SEF), so that its value is 
maximized for each community.


Strengthening 
the local school board in school management 
serves 
to 
increase 
accountability 
amongst school 
administrators, 
as 
well 
as 
teaching 
and 
non­
teaching school personnel. Additionally, schools will benefit from the expertise and input 
from the community whose needs will be best heard through regular dialogue.
Educating the Filipino youth is our shared responsibility. This bill will ensure that 
students experience the best educational experience possible, through the efforts of a 
community all working to support them.
In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought.
Senatojptpaolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENA
S.B. No. ?583
0.
• tun-?
'17 
SEP 11 
P ? :4 2
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the 'local School Board Act".
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SEC. 2. Declaration o f Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State that the
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territorial and political subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local
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autonomy. Toward this end, the State shall provide for a more responsive and accountable
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local government structure whereby local government units shall be given more powers,
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authority, responsibilities, and resources.
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The realization of local autonomy shall be facilitated through improved coordination
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of national government policies and programs, and extension of adequate technical and
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material assistance to less developed but deserving local government units.
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The State shall encourage local initiatives for improving the quality of basic
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education. 
The State shall ensure that the values, needs and aspirations of a school
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community are reflected in the program of education for the children, out-of-school youth
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and adult learners. Toward this end, there shall be established in every local government
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unit an accountable, efficient, and dynamic organizational structure and operating
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mechanism that will meet the priority needs and service requirements of its communities.
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SEC. 3. Creation and Composition. — There shall be established in every province,
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city, or municipality a Provincial, City or Municipal School Board, respectively. The
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Department of Education (DepEd) shall oversee the operations of the Local School Boards
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(LSBs).
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a) The Provincial School Board shall be composed of the Governor and the Division
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Superintendent of schools as co-Chairpersons; the Chairperson of the Education
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Committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial Treasurer, the
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representative of DepEd, the representative of the Pederasyon ng mga
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Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the duly elected


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president of the Provincial Federation of Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), the 
duly elected representative of the teachers' organization in the province, the 
duly elected representative of the non-academic personnel of public schools in 
the province, the duly elected representative of alumni associations of public 
schools in the province, and the duly elected representative of the local business 
chamber in the province, as members;
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b) The City School Board shall be composed of the City Mayor and the City 
Superintendent of schools as co-Chairpersons; the Chairperson of the Education 
Committee 
of 
the 
Sangguniang 
Panlungsod, 
the 
City 
Treasurer, 
the 
representative of DepEd, the President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the 
representative of the Pederasyon ng mga SK in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the 
duly elected President of the City Federation of PTA, the duly elected 
representative of the teachers' organizations in the city, and the duly elected 
representative of the non-academic personnel of public schools in the city, the 
duly elected representative of alumni associations of public schools in the city, 
and the duly elected representative of the local business chamber in the city, as 
members; and
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The Municipal School Board shall be composed of the Municipal Mayor and the 
District Supervisor of schools as co-Chairpersons; the Chairperson of the 
Education Committee of the Sangguniang Bayan, the Municipal Treasurer, the 
representative of DepEd, the President ng Liga ng mga Barangay, the 
representative of the Pederasyon ng mga SK in the Sangguniang Bayan, the duly 
elected President of the Municipal Federation of PTA, the duly elected 
representative of the teachers' organizations in the municipality, and the duly 
elected representative of the non-academic personnel of public schools in the 
municipality, the duly elected representative of alumni associations of public 
schools in the municipality, and the duly elected representative of the local 
business chamber in the municipality, as members;
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In the event that a province or city has two (2) or more School Superintendents, and
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in the event that a municipality has two (2) or more District Supervisors, the co-Chairperson
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of the local school board shall be determined as follows:
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a) The DepEd shall designate the co-Chairperson for the provincial and city school
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boards; and
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b) The division superintendent of schools shall designate the district supervisor who
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shall serve as co-Chairperson of the municipal school board.
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The performance of the duties and responsibilities of the abovementioned officials in
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their respective local school boards shall not be delegated.
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SEC. 4. Functions o f Local School Boards. — The Provincial, City, or Municipal School
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Board shall:
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a) Monitor the performance of the local public school system and its component 
schools, using measures and indicators established by the DepEd. Toward this


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end, it will render an annual State of Public Education Report (SPER) that will be 
communicated to all parents, barangay officials, and other stakeholders of the 
public school system;
b) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the DepEd and the identified 
performance gaps in the SPER, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for 
the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or 
municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting 
such needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board 
budget corresponding to its share in the proceeds of the special levy on real 
property constituting the Special Education Fund (SEF) and such other sources of 
revenue stipulated in Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code, and other laws or ordinances may provide;
c) Authorize the Provincial, City or Municipal Treasurer, as the case may be, to 
disburse funds from the SEF pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance 
with existing rules and regulations;
d) Serve as an advisory committee to the Sanggunian concerned on educational 
matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local 
appropriations for educational purposes;
e) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial 
jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the Sanggunian 
concerned;
f) 
Develop local education policies and programs, in coordination with district, 
division and/or regional DepEd officials that will respond to unique challenges 
facing the locality, which shall be implemented within the district or division. 
This will include, but will not be limited to, initiatives aimed at ensuring full 
participation, 
cohort 
survival 
and 
completion 
rates, 
improvement 
of 
achievement levels, civic education, and post graduation outcomes; and
g) Hold regular grassroots consultations for the purpose of multi-stakeholder 
participation in the planning, budgeting, and delivery of public education 
services.
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SEC. 5. Appointment o f Local Public School Officials. — The DepEd shall consult the
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LSBs on the appointment of Division Superintendents, District Supervisors, School Principals,
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and other school officials. It shall arrange a meeting with the concerned LSBs where all
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applicants shall be required to discuss their plans and programs once appointed to the
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position. The LSBs' evaluation of the applicants, guided by same criteria used by the DepEd,
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shall be considered in the final ranking, and will account for at least 25% of the total rating.
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SEC. 6. Meetings and Quorum. — The LSB shall meet at least once a month or as
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often as may be necessary. Any of the co-Chairpersons may call a meeting. A simple
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majority of all its members shall constitute a quorum. However, when both co-Chairpersons


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are present in a meeting, the local chief executive concerned, as a matter of protocol, shall
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be given preference to preside over the meeting.
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SEC. 7. Budget — The Division Superintendent, City Superintendent or District
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Supervisor, as the case may be, shall prepare the budget of the concerned LSB. Programs,
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projects, and activities of the LSB in the ensuing fiscal year shall support the budget. The
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affirmative vote of the majority of all its members shall be necessary to approve the budget.
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The preparation and approval of LSB Budget shall follow the budget calendar of local
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government units (LGUs). By midyear, the LSB shall meet to identify the gaps that need to
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be addressed and prioritized in the incoming budget year, based on the SPER and existing
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education policies of the DepEd. During the same meeting, the Local Treasurer and
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Accountant shall present and submit to the LSB a certified statement covering the actual
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income and expenditures of the SEF in the preceding fiscal year, the actual income and
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expenditures in the first two quarters of the current year, and the estimated income for the
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last two quarters of the current year and estimate of the SEF income for the incoming
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budget year. The LSB shall then issue a budget call reiterating its priorities and targets for
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the budget year.
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Based on the budget call, school heads, education supervisors and their LGU
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counterparts shall submit requests for funding for the incoming budget year to the School
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District Superintendent (SDS)/ Provincial Schools Division Superintendent (PSDS) by a
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prescribed date. After review, the PSDS/SDS shall submit to the LSB a consolidated budget
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proposal for incoming budget year showing proposed appropriations by programs, activities
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and projects in not more than a month.
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The LSB as a whole shall review the budget proposal prepared by the SDS/PSDS, and
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shall conduct budget hearings if necessary. To promote community participation in the
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process of budget review, it shall schedule sectoral presentation of the proposed budget for
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parents, teachers and non-teaching personnel, barangay officials and other stakeholders.
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The SDS/PSDS shall prepare the revised budget proposal, taking into consideration
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agreements made during the review process. After due deliberation, the LSB shall pass and
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approve a resolution adopting the final budget proposal for the incoming budget year on or
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before December 31. In case the LSB fails to pass the budget on time, the previous year's
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budget shall be deemed reenacted until such time that the majority vote required for
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approval is reached.
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Implementation of the LSB budget shall follow the same procedure as the regular
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budget of the LGU and shall be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules
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and regulations. The annual school board budget shall give priority to the following;
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a) Payment of salaries, wages and other authorized allowances of teachers hired in 
connection with the conduct of extension classes in schools that are shown to be 
deficient as per teacher deployment analysis;
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b) Construction, repair and maintenance of school buildings and other facilities of
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public elementary and secondary schools which are deemed to have classroom


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shortage as per the classroom deployment analysis and which have not been
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identified as recipients of similar funding allocation in the national budget; and
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c) Local programs, projects and activities aimed at ensuring full participation, cohort
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survival and completion rates in public schools; improvement in the achievement
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levels as measured by DepEd assessment instrument; and
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d) improvement of post-graduation outcomes.
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When the priorities mentioned above have been adequately provided funding allocation,
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the balance of the LSB budget may be used to support the following undertakings:
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a) Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, projects and activities, including but not
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limited to out-of-school youth, indigenous peoples and adult learners;
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b) Acquisition/procurement of library books, instructional materials and periodicals,
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workbooks for learners and teachers' manual on classroom instruction;
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c) Acquisition of equipment that will improve academic performance of schools, repair
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and maintenance of laboratory, technical and 
similar equipment and apparatus
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including information technology resources, needed by public elementary and
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secondary schools;
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d) Training of teachers;
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e) Payment of allowances to DepEd-paid teaching and non-teaching personnel but
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limited only to those allowances granted prior to May 31,1989;
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f) 
Educational research and local testing;
g) Establishment of pre-school classes in public schools;
h) Payment of salaries/wages of utility workers and security guards and other non­
teaching personnel which are deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the 
public elementary and secondary schools;
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i) 
Acquisition, titling, and improvement of school sites;
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j) 
Expenses for school sports activities at the division, district, municipal, and barangay
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levels which are supportive of school's physical education programs, including
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athletic supplies and materials, athletic equipment, transportation expenses of
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athletes and school officials participating in the athletic meets, and construction
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and/or improvement of school athletic facilities;
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k) Maintenance and other operating expenditures of the LSB itself for the conduct of
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board meetings, education summits, secretariat support and other related activities;


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Servicing of debt incurred for the construction of classrooms; and
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m) Voucher programs that will enable private schools to accommodate excess enrollees
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in the public school system.
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SEC. 8. Compensation and Remuneration. — The co-Chairpersons and members of
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the provincial, city or municipal school board shall perform their duties as such without
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compensation or remuneration. Members thereof who are not government officials or
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employees shall be entitled to necessary traveling expenses and allowances chargeable
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against funds of the concerned LSB, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and
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regulations.
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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
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and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and other relevant government
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agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
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implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The funds needed to implement this Act shall be
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included in the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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SEC. 
11. Separability Clause. 
— Should 
any provision 
herein 
be declared
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — Title IV, Sections 89 to 101 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991", all other laws, decrees, orders,
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rules, and regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,