Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo,__2726

Introduced by HON. RONALD M. COSALAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

hhe Lepanto National High School — Palatong Extension, situated in Barangay Tabio,
Municipality of Mankayan, Province of Benguet, was set up in 1992. It is 105 kilometers away
from the capitol in La Trinidad, Benguet and would take a three and a half (31% ) hours ride by
public utility vans, bus or any other vehicle through Halsema Highway to reach it.

It is five kilometers away from Mankayan National and Balili National High Schools
which are the nearest high schools to Palatong Extension,

With only 145 students in 1992, enrollment steadily increased with students coming from
elementary feeder schools in Palatong, Sapid, Mankayan, Balili and Bulalacao, These students
are dependents of farmers and miners coming mostly from Barangay Tabio, Sapid and spill over
from the Poblacion who could not be accommodated at Mankayan National High School and
Lepanto Main. In 2007, there were 310 students enrolled. ‘The school had been providing basic
education in Palatong for 19 years, and has produced hundreds of graduates who later on
proceeded to college and became professionals and other usefull members of the community.

Hence, it is proposed that this extension school be converted into a separate and
independent national high school to be named Palatong National High School. It aims to provide
access to relevant and quality secondary education in the locality and its neighboring barangays in
the hopes of making productive and responsible members of the community.

With the conversion of this extension school, school-aged children from Tabio and Sapid
would have a better chance of finishing formal high school education. It would give more
substance to the state policy of providing free quality secondary education to all as mandated by
the Philippine Constitution.

It is for these reasons that support for and prompt passage of this proposed bill i
earnestly sought.

RONALD M. COS,
one District, Benguet Province (CAR)

sentative



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 2726

Introduced by HON. RONALD M. COSALAN

AN ACT SEPARATING THE LEPANTO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-PALATONG
ANNEX, IN THE BARANGAY OF PALATONG, TABIO, MUNICIPALITY OF
MANKAYAN, PROVINCE OF BENGUET FROM THE LEPANTO NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL MAIN, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS PALATONG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Separation and Conversion into a National High School, The
Lepanto National High School-Palatong Extension in Barangay Palatong, Tabio,
Municipality of Mankayan, Province of Benguet, is hereby separated from the
Lepanto National High School Main and converted into an independent national high
school to be known as Palatong National High School,

SECTION 2. Transfer of Assets and Liabilities. All personnel, assets,
liabilities and records of Lepanto National High School-Palatong Extension are
hereby transferred to and absorbed by Palatong National High School.

SECTION 3. Appropriations, The Secretary of Education shall immediately
include in the Department’s program the operationalization of the Palatong National
High School, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's
appropriation of the Lepanto National High School Main, ‘Thereafter, the amount
necessary for the continued operation of the school shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4, Implementation. The Secretary of Education shall issue such
rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,