Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19" Congress
First Regular Session

1
HOUSE BILL No, 3216

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In line with the vision espoused by the President during his inaugural speech of putting
utmost emphasis on the subject of “science” in our educational system, thus, this bill
seeking for the strengthening of the governance and management of the Philippine
Science High School System by establishing a Philippine Science High School
campus in Ubay, Bohol

The nation is in dire need of scientists to help address the ever-advancing global trend
in technological and virtual advancement. Towards this end, a good background in
science and technological education is imperative in the education system of students
early on

The Municipality of Ubay, Province of Bohol has pool of students which excel in the
field of science and technology. Thus, the need to provide these students the much-
needed support by establishing a Philippine Science High Schoo! (PSHS) campus in
the locality. This will enable the students to be equipped with proper training and
facilities that will eventually lead them to a science-oriented career.

This bill seeks to provide free access to quality education while addressing the future
of our youth particularly in Bohol and in Region VII in general

In view of these, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19" Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3216

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado,

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

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) System Act."

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 alll 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
three (3) 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 10 years upon implementation of this law, the PSHS System Board of
Trustees (BoT) may consider establishment of more than three (3) PSHS campuses
per region.

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


b)

4)

e)

9)

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

Establish campuses that are geographically-accessible to the public;

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

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

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

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)

b)

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

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
z.

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

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


12.

16.

Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in lloilo City,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus

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

Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya,
formerly PSHS-Cagayan Valley Campus

PSHS-Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao del Norte, formerly Philippine
Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus

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

Philippine Science High School - locos Region Campus in Ilocos Sur,
formerly Philippine Science High School - llocos Region Campus

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in Rombion,
formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus

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 the following locations provided that, there shall only be one (1) campus to be
established in a province and shall pass the guidelines/criteria set by the BoT; Ubay,



Bohol, Daraga, Albay, Sta Rosa, Laguna, Cavite, Reina Mercedes, Isabela, Iguig,
Cagayan, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Kalibo, Akian,
Masinloc, Zambales, Aborlan, Palawan and Madalum, Lanao del Sur.

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

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, education for the gifted, 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, succeeding appointments
shall 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;

d) 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;

9) 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);

i) 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;

i) 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
the Board of Trustees and shall have the rank of an Executive Director V, with a Salary
Grade of 30 and with a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for another term but with
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 determine 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
(6) 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 28 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 occupy a Special Science
Teacher VI with the Salary Grade of 26 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 | 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 Il and above shall require CSC
eligibility or professional license recognized by the Philippine Regulatory Commission

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.- 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 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,