Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 7335

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, locos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The citizens’ access to quality education at all levels is guaranteed under the 1987
Philippine Constitution (Section 1, Article XIV). The fundamental charter,
furthermore, gives priority to science and technology education, training and services
(Sec. 10, Art. XIV).

The limitation therefore imposed by Republic Act No. 8496, as amended by
Republic Act No. 9036 (particularly Sections 2 and 5 thereof), on the establishment of
Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus to only one per administrative region
of the country, seemingly goes against the grain of the constitutional policy.

This bill seeks to expand the PSHS System by authorizing the establishment of
additional campuses as long as their establishment is compliant with the guidelines or
criteria laid down by the PSHS Board of Trustees. It is believed that provinces
deserve to have a PSHS campus of their own so that their youth would have access to
free and quality public science education.

In the Eighteenth (18") Congress, the Honorable Congressmen Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado (thru House Bill No. 5964) and Jonathan Keith Flores (thru H. B. No.
5567) attempted to democratize access to the PSHS System by allowing the
establishment of more campuses. It is in pursuit of that similar laudable goal that this
measure is being filed,

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

Qnrrermrv nr —

FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

* House Bill No._7335

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, locos Norte

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Philippine
Science High School (PSHS) Systemdct.”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State shall give priority to Research and
Development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to Science and
Technology education, training and services. It shall support appropriate, and self-
reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s
productive systems and national life. To achieve these, the State hereby establishes a
PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in secondary Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

The State shall support the admission process of the PSHS System by establishing test
centers all over the regions, to enhance equitable admissions and access for deserving
pupils.

The State shall also ensure that every region is given equal opportunity to benefit from
the establishment of the PSHS System. Towards this end, not more than two (2) PSHS
campuses inclusive of the existing PSHS Campuses shall be established in each of the
administrative regions of the country outside NCR where PSHS Main Campus is
located. Provided that, all establishment of PSHS Campuses shall be in accordance
with the guidelines/criteria set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees. After fifteen
(15) years upon implementation of this law, the PSHS System Board of Trustees
(BoT) may consider establishment of more than two (2) PSHS campuses per region.


SEC. 3. Objectives. — In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall pursue the
following objectives:

a) Establish a science high school that offers on a free scholarship basis a
secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to each student
for a Science and Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

b

Establish campuses that are geographically-accessible to the public;

°)

Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of schools
under the PSHS system;

dq)

Rationalize the establishment of science high schools as defined in this Act;

°)

Integrate the existing and future campuses into one system of governance and
management;

f) Ensure that students with high aptitude in science and mathematics are given
equal scholarship opportunities to enroll in the Philippine Science High School
System;

g) Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate
courses to conduct researches and to become leaders in the field of science,

technology, engineering and mathematics;

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. —

a) Philippine Science High School System (PSHS) — are secondary schools offering
scholarships to deserving students who shall be admitted and trained under a
curriculum specially designed to prepare them for careers in Science and
Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

b) Philippine Science High School (PSHS System) - comprise the Office of the
Executive Director, and the PSHS campuses under its supervision.

©) Term - refers to the "term of office" with a duration of five (5) years in each term.
SEC. 5. Scope. ~ The Philippine Science High School System shall be composed of
the existing PSHS campuses herein mentioned and future campuses which shall be
established under this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be known as
follows:

1. Philippine Science High School - Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City


2. Philippine Science High School - Davao Region Campus in Davao City, formerly
PSHS — Southern Mindanao Campus

3. Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in Hoilo City, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus

4. Philippine Science High School- Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus

5. Philippine Science High School ~ CagayanValley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya,
formerly PSHS-Cagayan Valley Campus

6. PSHS-Northem Mindanao Campus in Lanao del Norte, formerly Philippine
Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus

7. Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines Sur,
formerly Philippine Science High School -Bicol Region Campus

8. Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus in Ilocos Sur, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus

9. Philippine Science High School — Central Visayas Campus in Cebu, formerly,
Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus

10. Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Clark Freeport Zone,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus

1

Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus in
Baguio City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative
Region Campus

5

. Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in Koronadal
City, formerly Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region
Campus

1

Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus in Butuan City,
formerly Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus

1

5

. Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus in Batangas
City, formerly Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus

15.Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in Romblon,
formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus


16.Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus in
Dipolog City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region Campus”

In the establishment of future PSHS campuses, the Board of Trustees shall set up in
Laoag City, locos Norte, Ilocos Region Campus provided that, there shall only be one
(1) campus to be established in a province and shall pass the guidelines/criteria set by
the Board of Trustees;

New campuses established under this act shall be integrated in their respective regions
as provided under this Act.

SEC. 6. Restriction on the Conversion of High Schools into a Philippine Science High
School System. — In addition to the guidelines/criteria that may be established by the
PSHS Board of Trustees in the establishment and operation of Philippine Science
High School Systems, the conversion and inclusion of existing high schools into the
PSHS system shall not be allowed in order to maintain the quality and uniform
standard inherent of a bona fide PSHS.

SEC. 7. Overall Coordinating Authority. - The PSHS System shall be under the
administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).The
Board of Trustees shall be the Governing Board of all the PSHS campus wherever
situated,

SEC.8. PSHS Board of Trustees. — There shall be a Board of Trustees composed of
the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex officio Chairperson,
the Secretary of Department of Education as ex officio Vice Chairperson and the
following members: the President of the University of the Philippines, The Executive
Director of PSHS, the Director of Science Education Institute (SEI), the President
from the PSHS National Alumni Association, and the Chairpersons of the Committees
on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives as ex
officio members, and one (1) representative each from the private sector representing
higher education, child development professionals or practitioners, industry,
agriculture and new emerging technologies. The private sector representatives shall be
appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of a duly constituted search
committee. As much as practicable, the private sector representatives shall come from
various geographic regions, For the first set of appointments, three (3) of them shall
serve for four (4) years, while the other two (2) for two (2) years, thereafter,
sueceeding appointments shall have a fixed term of four (4) years.

The Board shall exercise the following powers:

a) Ensure that the provisions of the Laws pertaining to the creation and operation of
the PSHS System are enforced/implemented;


b) Approve policies and guidelines necessary in the establishment and operation of
science high schools under the PSHS System in order to maintain the quality and
uniform standard in all PSHS Campuses;

°)

Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director;

4) Approve policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under the PSHS
System;

) Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students;

f) Approve the grant and termination of PSHS scholarships including stipend and
such allowances for students;

2) Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS campuses;

h) Recommend to the DOST Secretary the appointment of Executive Director,
Deputy Executive Director(s) and Campus Director(s);

Approve appointment, promotion, retention, renewal, rewards and incentives for
faculty, fix their compensation and other conditions of employment, and remove
them for cause after proper investigation and hearing;

Appoint professorial lecturers up to 70 years of age;

k) Draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff,
and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to create positions and fix and adjust
salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees and to determine
the minimum hours of service of faculty and such other terms and conditions of
employment as it may deem proper;

1) Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements thereof; donations,
contributions, bequests, gifts, and to formulate policies for the administration
thereof in accordance with applicable internal revenue laws;

m) Approve the use of income generated by the PSHS System in the pursuit of its
functions and donations received in trust by individual campuses, according to the
purpose of the donor and intention of the donation. In cases where
income/donation received is not intended for a particular campus, the Board shall
likewise appropriate the same for the benefit of the System or any part thereof;

n) Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty and staff;

0) Approve partnership of PSHS System with international institutions;


p) Approve policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment and operation of
science high schools under the System, for its assessment, evaluation and approval
including the naming or renaming of existing or future PSHS Campuses;

SEC. 9, Executive Director (ED). ~ There shall be an Executive Director for PSHS.
System who shall be appointed by the DOST Secretary upon the recommendation of
theBoardofTrusteesandshallhavetherankofanExecutiveDirectorV, withaSalaryGradeo
£30andwithafixedtermoffive(5)years,renewableforanothertermbutwith a maximum of
three (3) terms at the option of the PSHS System Board of Trustees.

The ED shall exercise academic and administrative supervision within the Philippine
Science High School System and shall be the Chief Executive Officer and primary
implementor of policies and guidelines set by the Board of Trustees. As a member of
the Board of Trustees, they shall articulate to the Board the concerns of the PSHS
System.

The ED shall act as the head of the procuring entity in the Office of the Executive
Director.

In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the ED office shall be provided with
additional plantilla positions to be determined by the Executive Director and approved
by the BoT.

SEC.10. Deputy Executive Director. ~ There shall be three (3) Deputy Executive
Directors with the rank of Deputy Executive Director IV and with Salary Grade (28)
who shall be appointed by the DOST Secretary upon the recommendation of the Board
of Trustees on the basis of a search process. They shall serve for a fixed term of five
(5) years, renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms at the
discretion of the Board. The DED shall perform duties assigned by the Executive
Director.

SEC. 11. Campus Director. — There shall be a Campus Director for each PSHS
campus in the region who shall be appointed by the PSHS System BOT with the rank
of Director IV with a Salary Grade 27 on the basis of a search process. He/She shall
serve for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for another term but with a
maximum of three (3) terms.

The Campus Director shall be given the option to apply as a Special Science Teacher
VI with the Salary Grade of 24 upon the end of his/her term. The CD shall implement
the academic programs, plans and activities of the PSHS Campus. The CD shall act as
the Head of the Procuring Entity in the campus.

SEC. 12. Executive Committee, - There shall be an Executive Committee in the PSHS
System composed of the Executive Director as ex officio chairperson and the Campus
Directors as members.


SEC.13. Extension of Tenure. ~ PSHS faculty members shall be considered as
scientists under the provisions of RA 8439 as amended by RA. No.11312 otherwise
known as “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and
Technology Personnel in the Government”.

SEC.14. Exemption from Tax. ~ Gifts and donations of real and personal properties of
all kinds shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as
allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with
applicable internal revenue laws.

SEC. 15. Teacher's Qualification. — Appointment to Special Science Teacher I shall
be exempt from CSC Eligibility and can stay in the said rank for a maximum of three
(3) years. Appointments to Special Science Teacher II and above shall require CSC
eligibilityorprofessionallicenserecognizedbythePhilippineRegulatoryCommission.

Said professors, instructors and faculty members, as well as the school’s
administrative staff, shall be exempt from the provisions of laws, rules and regulations
on wage and position classification.

SEC. 16. Patriot Formation Program. - To foster nationalism and patriotism,
accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development, PSHS
personnel and scholars shall undergo patriot formation program to instill the core
values of professional excellence, social responsibility and servant leadership to
recognize their vital role in nation building and contribute to inclusive development.

SEC.17. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act and to start or open a new campus, shall be provided for in
the General Appropriations Act with a minimum allocation of 200 Million pesos per
additional campus, to be adjusted for inflation, for one academic building and one
dormitory building. Thereafter, sufficient appropriation as may be needed for the
continuous operation of the Philippine Science High School System shall be included
in the Annual General Appropriations Act for the continuous offering of secondary
STEM education on scholarship basis.

SEC.18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The BOT shall formulate, within
ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act, and issue the necessary Implementing
Rules and Regulations to carry out the implementation of this Act.

SEC.19. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act Nos. 3661, 8436 and 9036 are hereby
repealed. All laws, proclamations, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which


are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC.21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,