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Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 9633

introgucea by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT
CREATING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN THE PROVINCE OF ANTIQUE
TO BE KNOWN AS THE ANTIQUE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Art is an important pillar in nation building. Through its different forms, the arts
provide continuous development of the roles of talented and passionate individuals in
the preservation and promotion of Filipino artistic and cultural traditions. According to
the former Chairman of the National Commission for Culture an and the Arts (NCCA),
Professor Felipe de Leon, Jr., the development of art allows people to express
themselves and to strengthen their cultural energy, a motivation to work and engage
meaningfully in social interactions.

The province of Antique is rich in culture and traditions evident in the existence
and usage of the Kinaray-a language, the long-preserved performing arts of Komedya,
the traditional practices of the indigenous peoples like the Atis and the Iraynon
Bukidnon, among others. The different facets of life in the province of Antique are also

depicted in the colorful weaves of their patadyong, sculptures and pottery, are



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described in their songs, poems and stories, and are showcased in their dances and

performances.

Unbeknownst to many, there are numerous Antiquefios who excelled in the
various fields of the arts. For literary arts, Professor Alicia P. Magos, anthropologist
and professor emerita of the University of the Philippines, greatly contributed in the
development of the Kinaray-a literature through her numerous publications on
suigidanons (epics) and the ma-aram (babaylan) tradition in Antique. She was a
UNESCO Intemational Literary Research Awardee and a Metrobank Outstanding
Teacher in 1999.

For visual arts, two notable artists hailed from Antique: the 1999 National Artist
for visual Arts Jeremias Elizalde Navarro and Edsel Moscoso, also one of the 1975
Outstanding Young Artists of the Art Association of the Philippines. They both came
from San Jose de Buenavista, the capital town of Antique. Three of Navarro's major
mixed media works were: I'm Sorry Jesus, | Can't Attend Christmas This Year (1965),
his Homage to Dodjie Laurel (1969: Ateneo Art Gallery collection), and A Flying
Contraption for Mr. Icarus (1984: Lopez Museum). On the other hand, Moscoso's
paintings depicted his observations of the daily rural life, of fisherfolk, farmers and
women, and were described by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin as
“manscapes”.

Filipinos are born natural artists. The art reflects the heart of our nation and
frames the character of our people. It is high time for the national government to give
due importance to the arts as they serve as an integral part of our youth's development
and cultural awareness. Specifically, in order to cultivate the skills of young Antiquefio
artists and leaders in the preservation of their heritage and identity through arts and

culture education, this bill mandates the creation of the Antique High School for the


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Arts. The School will be administered by the Department of Education (DepEd), in
coordination with the NCCA and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Given the above, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

=N EGARDA


Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

0633

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT
CREATING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN THE PROVINCE OF ANTIQUE
TO BE KNOWN AS THE ANTIQUE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby the declared policy of the

State to promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and
skills in culture and the arts shall be encouraged and honed through education and
specialized training programs. Toward this end, the State shall establish, maintain,
and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education and training
that will cater to the development of artistic talent and cultural aptitude of the Filipino

youth as well as support and promote the growth of young artists nationwide.

‘SEC. 2. Creation of the Antique High School for the Arts. — There is hereby
created a high school for the arts in the Province of Antique to be known as the

“Antique High School for the Arts”, hereinafter referred as the “School”.

The School shall be administered and supervised by the Department of
Education (DepEd), in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the

Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).


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SEC. 3. Mandate. — The School shall implement a general secondary
curriculum prescribed by the Republic Act No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013", with a special focus on the arts that shall aid in recognizing
early the talent and exceptional giftedness of young children, and thereby ensuring
the nurturance of artists of excellence and the preservation and promotion of Filipino

heritage.

SEC. 4. Advisory Board. — The School shall have an Advisory Board,

composed of the following members:
(a) the Regional Director of the DepEd in Region VI as Chairperson;
(b) the School Director as Vice-Chairperson;

(c) a representative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts

(NCCA);
(d) a representative of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP);

(e) the Governor of the Province of Antique;

(f) the Schools Division Superintendent of the Schools Division of Antique;
(g)a representative of the members of the school faculty; and,

(h) four (4) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization, specifically music,
theatre, dance, visual arts, performance arts and the like, to be appointed

by the Chairperson upon the recommendation of the Advisory Board.

The faculty representatives shall serve for a term of two (2) years to be chosen

in accordance with the rules and qualification set by the faculty members of the School.

The four (4) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of three (3) years to be


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selected by the Board from a list of at least seven (7) qualified nominees from Region

VI. The private sector representatives may be reappointed.

A Search Committee to be constituted by the School Director with the approval
of the Chairperson of the Advisory Board shall be created to select the nominees

based on the normal standards and qualifications for the position.

‘SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Advisory Board. — To accomplish the
mandate of the School, the Advisory Board shall advise the School Director on the

following:

(a) Formulation of policies, rules and regulation as may be necessary for the
administration and operation of the School;

(b) Preparation of school budget and appropriation of all sums received as may
be specified by law for the support of the School;

(c) Receiving in trust of legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal
property of all kinds, and administration of the same for the benefit of the
School, subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if
any;

(d) Fixing of the site and location of the School, acquire property on its behalf,
and cause the construction or repair of its buildings, equipment and other
facilities when necessary;

(e) Approval of the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline
drawn by the Offices of the Deputy Directors for Administration and
Academic Affairs, hereby created under Section 7 of this Act;

(f) Establishment of criteria for the selection, admission and graduation of
students which shall include a competitive examination, and approval of the

issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates for graduation;


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(g) Development of strategies to increase the enrollment rate and preparation

of purposive campaigns to enhance the competence of the School and its
students;

(h) Approval of the grant of stipend and such other allowances for qualified and
deserving students;

(i) Formulation of qualification standards for the hiring, promotion, retention, or
renewal of appointment, and the grounds for removal of faculty members,
lecturers, other officials and employees of the School;

(i) Granting the members of the faculty and staff leaves of absence subject to
applicable rules and regulations, and provisions of fellowship grants when
available;

(k) Development of consortia and other economic linkages with local
government units (LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private,
local and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the
School;

(1) Adoption of modern communications technology and other innovative
modes of knowledge and information exchange;

(m)Importation of duty-free books and/or publications, upon certification by the
DepEd that such imported books and/or publications are for economic,
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural
purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs
Code, as amended; and,

(n) Delegation of any of the powers and duties of the School Director to other
officials of the School as may be deemed appropriate, so as to expedite the
administration of the affairs of the School.

SEC. 6. Meetings. — The Advisory Board shall convene at least once every


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quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board, upon issuance of a written notice
three (3) days prior to a schedule, may call a maximum of two (2) meetings in a quarter

whenever necessary.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office
at the time of the meeting; Provided, That the Chairperson of the Board and the School

Director shall be among those present in the meeting.

In the absence of the Chairperson of the Board, a duly authorized
representative may attend with all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member:
Provided, That during such meeting, the School Director, as Vice-Chairperson, shall

be the presiding officer.

The members of the Advisory Board shall not receive any salary but shall be
entitled to reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their
attendance to the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business
authorized by the DepEd Regional Director, in case of the other Board members, and
by the appropriate DepEd official, in case of the Chairperson of the Board, subject to

existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 7. School Director. — There shall be a School Director who shall serve as
the chief academic officer, head of the school faculty and the chief executive officer of
the School. The functions, powers and duties, in addition to those specifically
described in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the principal of
any high school in the Philippine education system, and those which are related or

necessary to the School Director's functions.

The School Director shall coordinate the implementation of policies and
guidelines with the Advisory Board, and shall articulate to the Board all concerns of

the School. The School Director shall be appointed by the DepEd Regional Director,


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subject to the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the implementing rules and

regulations, upon recommendation of a duly constituted Search Committee.

A Search Committee shall be constituted by the DepEd Regional Director in
consultation with the representatives of NCCA, the CCP, and the Provincial Governor
of Antique to select the School Director. It shall be formed immediately upon the
approval of the implementing rules and regulations mandated in Section 20 of this Act,
and shall reconvene again within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of

the School Director.

In case of vacancy in the Office of the School Director by reason of death,
compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity to perform
functions of the office, the DepEd Regional Director shall designate an officer-in-
charge of the School within one (1) month from the date of vacancy, pending the

selection and appointment of a new School Director.

The duly appointed successor shall have a fresh term of five (5) years and shall

be eligible for reappointment.

The salary of the School Director shall be in accordance with the Revised
‘Compensation and Position Classification System, and shall be comparable to that

being received by any principal of a public high school.

The School Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director for Student and
Academic Affairs and a Deputy Director for Administration, who shall both be
appointed by the DepEd Regional Director from a list of nominees to be submitted by
the School Director. The salaries of the Deputy Directors shall likewise be in
accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System, and
shall also be comparable to that being received by officers of the same level of similar

educational institutions.


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SEC. 8. Deputy Director for Student and Academic Affairs. — There shall be 4
Deputy Director for Student and Academic Affairs and shall have the power to review
and recommend the curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the School, subject
to the approval of the School Director. The Director for Student and Academic Affairs
shall likewise have disciplinary power over students of the School, and shall formulate
academic policies and rules and regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of

the School Director.

The Director for Student and Academic Affairs shall work in consultation with
the school department heads and other ranking faculty members in developing the

curricular offerings and rules of discipline.

SEC. 9. Deputy Director for Administration. — There shall be Deputy Director
for Administration who shall assist the School Director and the Advisory Board on
policies governing the administration, financial management and development

planning of the School.

SEC. 10. Admissions Council. — There shall be an Admissions Council
consisting of the School Director, the Deputy Directors for Student and Academic
Affairs and for Administration, the heads of each faculty department, and such other
ranking faculty member or official of the School as may be determined by the School
Director. The Council shall have the power to screen and select the students to be
admitted to the School, and to select the students who shall be recipients of stipends

and other allowances, in accordance with existing policies and guidelines.

The Admissions Council shall propose to the Advisory Board financial
assistance schemes and other affirmative programs to assist underprivileged students

who qualify for admissions to the school.

No students shall be denied admission to the School by reason of gender,


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religion, cultural or community affiliation, or ethnic origin.

‘SEC. 11. Position Structure and Staffing Patterns. — The position structure and
staffing pattern of the School shall be prescribed by the DepEd upon the
recommendation of the School Director, subject to the approval of the Department of

Budget and Management, based on existing rules and regulations.

SEC. 12. Civil Service Coverage. — Except for visiting professors and other arts
instructors engaged by the School, all faculty members and personnel of the School

shall be covered by all civil service rules and regulations.

SEC. 13. Faculty. — No political belief, gender preference, cultural of community
affiliation, ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry
in the appointment of faculty members of the School: Provided, That the appointment
of faculty shall be subject to the guidelines and qualification standards set by the
School Director upon the recommendation of the Advisory Board: Provided further,
That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or

religious sector.

SEC. 14. School Fund. — All government appropriations for and other income
generated by the School, as well as all legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments,
contributions and other similar transfers of real and personal properties of all kinds
received by the School, shall constitute the School Fund. The School Funds shall be
expended or used by or with authority from the School Director upon the

recommendation of the Advisory Board.

If, for reasons beyond its control, the School shall not be able to pursue any
project for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved
program of expenditures, the School Director, upon the recommendation of the

Advisory Board, may authorize use of said funds for any other reasonable purpose


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which, in his/her discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the

objectives and goals of the School.

SEC. 15. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and the Like. — Upon
the recommendation of the Advisory Board, the School Director may solicit, negotiate
with, and receive in trust form any public or private domestic or foreign sources
legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions or other transfers of
ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for
the benefit of the School: Provided, That, the School Director shall, upon
recommendation by the Advisory Board and in accordance with pertinent accounting
and auditing laws, rules and regulations, prescribe the measures necessary for the
proper use, maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments,

contributions or transfers and the compliance of terms and conditions therewith, if any.

SEC. 16. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Education shall immediately
include in the Department's programs the operationalization of the Antique High
School for the Arts, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act.
The LGUs concerned may likewise provide financial assistance to the School.

SEC. 17. Development Plan, Organizational Structure. — Within the period of
‘one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, and the approval of its

implementing rules and regulations, the School shall accomplish the following:

(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding
program budget to the DepEd, for subsequent recommendation to the DBM;
and,

(b) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure,

including the appointment of the school officials, subject to the qualifications


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set forth in this Act.

SEC. 18. Filing of Report. — On or before the fifteenth (15) day of the second
month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the School Director shall
file with the Office of the President of the Philippines, through the Secretary of
DepEd, and with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress,

conditions, and needs of the School.

SEC. 19. Suppletory Application. — The provisions of Republic Act No. 9155,
otherwise known as the “Governance of the Basic Education Act of 2001” shall be
made an integral part of this Act, and shall serve as part of the governing charter of

the School.

SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred twenty
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the NCCA
and CCP, shall issue the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this

Act.

SEC. 21. Separability Clause — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not

affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 22. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 23. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon the

approval and publication thereof.

Approved