Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO©
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INTRODucED By REPRESENTATlvE ADRIAN mcllAEL A. ARATONG
ElnLAliATORT HOPE
This  bill  seeks  to  separate  the  Balas  National  High  School-Lapatan
Extension   in   Barangay   Lapatan,   Municipality   of   Labason,   Province   of
Zamboanga del Norte, converting it into an independent national high school to
be known as the Lapatan National High School.
The Municipality of Labason stands out as one of the most economically
challenged among the 67 municipalities in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte,
with a poverty rate of 45.2°/o as revealed in the 2018 Small Area Estimates by
the  Philippine  Statistics  Authority.  Amidst  such  circumstances,  education
emerges as a beacon of hope, illuminating pathways for individuals to transcend
the shackles of poverty and lead their communities towards prosperity.
Within  Labason,  Barangay  Lapatan  faces  its  own  set  of challenges.  A
considerable number of elementary graduates are unable to pursue secondary
education due to geographical constraints. Presently, there is a glaring absence
of both public and private high schools within the Barangay, with the Lapatan
extension  of  Balas  National  High  School  being  the  sole  option,  albeit  with
insufficient   facilities   and   resources.   This   stark   reality  unjustly   deprives
residents  of their fundamental right to accessible  education,  hindering their
academic advancement and socio-economic opportunities.
The  separation  and  conversion  of  the  Balas  National  High  School  -
Lapatan  Extension  into  an  independent  national  high  school  will  provide  a
much-needed  boost  for  the  communities  where  most  of its  inhabitants  are
underserved. This is also in line with the State's mandate to establish, maintain,
and  support an educational  system relevant to  the  needs  of the  people  and
society under Article XIV, Sec. 2(1) of the Constitution.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
anrf@
HAEL A. AMATONG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOusE BILL Hdrfu
INTRODucED BT RERESENTATlvE ADRIAN rmcllAEL A. AmTONG
AH ACT
SEPARATING THE BALAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-LAPATAN
EXTENSION IN BARANGAY LAPATAN, MUNICIPALITY OP IABASON,
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTH FROM THE BAIAS NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE BAliAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted ky the  Senate cnd, the House Of Representolives Of the Phmppines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. The Balas National High School-Lapatan Extension in Barangay
Lapatan, Municipality of Iidbason, Province of Zamboanga del Norte is hereby
separated   from   the   Balas   National   High   School   and   converted   into   an
independent national high school to be known as I,apatan National High School.
SEC. 2. All personnel, assets, liabilities and records of the Balas National High
School-Lapatan  Extension  are  hereby  transferred  to  and  absorbed  by  the
Lapatan National High School.
SEC.   3.   The   Secretary   of  Education   shall   immediately   include   in   the
Department's  program  the  operationalization  of  the  Lapatan  National  High
School, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's
appropriation of the Balas National High School- Lapatan Extension. Thereafter,
the amount necessary for the continued operation of the school shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC.  4.  Within sixty (60)  days after the approval of this Act, the Secretary of
Education   shall  promulgate   the   rules  and   regulations  implementing  the
provisions of this Act.
SEC.  5. This Act shall take effect fifteen  (15)  days after its publication in the
OJlcjciz caizef€e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,