SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
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JUL24 
P5 2 5
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S E N A T E
Senate Bill N o.i 5 0 R RECtWiU
Introduced By SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA
AN ACT
MANDATING 
THE 
CONSERVATION 
OF 
GABALDON 
SCHOOL 
BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Explanatory Note
The conservation of heritage buildings is imperative in preserving the cultural 
memory of the Philippines and maintaining a link to our past. Notable examples 
are the Gabaldon school buildings: heritage school houses built in the 
Philippines from 1907 to 1946 that follow a standard design and plan by 
Architect William E. Parsons. The Gabaldon heritage school buildings were 
named after the late assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon who authored Republic Act 
1801 which appropriated one million pesos for the construction of school 
buildings in every municipality in the country.
There are reportedly 1,446 Gabaldon heritage school buildings all over the 
Philippines. These structures symbolize the first foundation of the Philippine 
public school system during the American period, in which each Filipino child, 
even from the most remote areas of the country, had access to formal education.
It is about time that the national government give due importance to Gabaldon 
heritage school buildings as they serve as an important reminder of our country's 
unique identity, history and rich culture.
For these reasons, innnediate passage of the bill is sought.
LOREhf LEGARDA


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
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i ary
■17 
JUL24 P5 25
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 150f)
Introduced By SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA
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AN ACT
MANDATING 
THE 
CONSERVATION 
OF 
GABALDON 
SCHOOL 
BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be in enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Plnlippines in 
Congress assetnbled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Gabaldon School 
Buildings Conservation Act".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of 
the State to conserve and promote the country's historical and cultural heritage 
and resources. 
Towards this end, it shall strengthen its efforts in the 
conservation and restoration of built heritage, such as Gabaldon school 
buildings, to preserve their architectural, historical, and social significance.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a. Conservation refers to all processes and measures of maintaining the 
cultural significance of Gabaldon school buildings including preservation, 
restoration, reconstruction, protection, adaptation or any combination thereof; 
and
b. 
Gabaldon school buildings refer to school buildings designed by 
American Architect William Parsons and funded through Act No. 1801, authored 
by As.semblyman Isauro Gabaldon.


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SECTION 4. Cousenmtion of Gabaldon School Buildings. - The 
Department of Education (DepED), in consultation with the National 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission 
of the Philippines (NHCP), and the National Museum (NM), shall implement a 
program for the identification and conservation of all Gabaldon school buildings 
nationwide.
For this purpose, an inventory of all Gabaldon school buildings, whether 
fully functional or condemned, in all public elementary and secondary schools 
shall be jointly undertaken by the DepED and the NCCA to determine the 
physical status of each structure. School heads shall submit to their respective 
Schools Division Superintendents, for appropriate action, a report indicating the 
existence of or any structural damage to any Gabaldon school buildings in 
schools under their respective supervisions.
Local government units that have Gabaldon school buildings under their 
jurisdiction shall likewise adopt measures for the protection and conservation of 
these structures and shall provide the DepED with the necessary assistance in the 
implementation of any conservation project.
Any modification, alteration, destruction, demolition, or relocation of 
Gabaldon school buildings shall be strictly prohibited. 
In cases where 
conservation measures are necessary, the DepED, in coordination with the 
NCCA, NHCP, and the NM, shall provide proper technical assistance to school 
heads to ensure that the original architectural design of the school building is 
maintained; Provided, however, That, subject to the issuance of a permit from the 
NCCA, any modification or alteration of the original architectural design of 
Gabaldon school buildings may be allowed in public elementary and secondary 
schools where the exigency of constructing new school buildings is a priority in 
anticipation of the increase in student population by virtue of the 
implementation of Republic Act No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic Education 
Act of 2013": Provided, further. That the facade and other distinct features of the 
original Gabaldon school buildings shall, as much as possible, be preserved.


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SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any person who shall abet or cause the 
unauthorized modification, alteration, destruction, demolition, or relocation of 
the Gabaldon school building shall be subject to a fine of not less than two 
hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment for a term of not less 
than ten (10) years, or both, upon the discretion of the Court, and shall likewise 
pay for the conservation of the structure: 
Provided, That if the violation is
committed by a juridical person, its license to operate shall be revoked, and its 
president, manager, representative, director, agent, or employee shall also be 
liable for the penalties prescribed herein: Provided, further, Tliat if the offender is 
an alien, the offender shall be placed under the custody of the Bureau of 
Immigration (BI) for appropriate proceedings and shall be summarily deported 
after serving the applicable sentence.
School heads who fail to submit a report to their respective Schools 
Division Superintendents on the existence of or any structural damage to any 
Gabaldon school buildings in schools under their respective supervisions, shall 
be held administratively liable for simple neglect of duty and shall be suspended 
without pay for a period of six (6) months.
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Education shall 
immediately include in the Department's program the implementation of this 
Act, the initial funding of which shall be charged to the current year's 
appropriation of the DepED. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) 
days from the approval of this Act, the DepED, in consultation with the NCCA, 
NHCP, and the NM shall formulate the rules and regulations implementing the 
provisions of this Act.
SECTION 8. Separabilitif Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
force and effect.


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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and rules and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,