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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to strengthen the governance and management of the 
Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System, by expanding its scope and operations to 
different provinces in the Philippines including the Province of Aklan.  
The history of the PSHS traces back from its establishment in 1964 by which the 
American-Philippine Science Foundation and the Science Foundation of the Philippines had 
endorsed the passage of Republic Act 3661 (PSHS Charter) to President Diosdado Macapagal. 
The said institution was envisioned to nurture Filipino students to receive specialized education 
in the sciences. It has hurdled many challenges across decades, yet it continued to produce young 
Filipino scientists and researchers.  
Pisay has played a critical role in the development of our human capital most especially 
the youth. It has become one of the leading science high schools in the Asia Pacific Region. Since 
its founding, PSHS expanded its operations in Visayas and Mindanao when until in 1997, 
Republic Act 8496 was signed by President Fidel V. Ramos to unify all the existing campuses 
into a single system. Its expansion across regions in the Philippine archipelago resulted to the 
founding of 15 more campuses.  
Now with the ever-growing demands of the present, characterized to be volatile, 
uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), it is an imperative that we invest more in scientific 
education so that we may be able respond to the issues and concerns that may continue to arise 
in the 21st century.  
Toward this end, we seek to advance the knowledge, skills, and values of the next 
generation by accommodating more government scholars in the country. We encourage the 
establishment of more PSHS campuses, thereby increasing the access to quality, free, and 
globally competitive education.  
PSHS, as an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology, will then be 
able to fulfill even more their vision in upholding integrity, excellence, and service to the nation. 
May we find the importance in investing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
education which the PSHS has always championed through the years. 
Therefore, the immediate approval of this bill is highly sought. 
ENGR. CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
Chairperson, Committee on Science & Technology 
September 6, 2022
9:43 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  
Introduced by Representative CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF 
THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 
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Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act.” 
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SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. – “The State shall give priority to Research 
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and Development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to Science and 
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Technology education, training and services. It shall support appropriate, and self- 
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reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s 
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productive systems and national life. To achieve these, the State hereby establishes a 
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PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in secondary Science, Technology, 
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Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education." 
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The State shall support the admission process of the PSHS System by 
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establishing test centers all over the regions, to enhance equitable admissions and 
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access for deserving pupils. 
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The State shall also ensure that every region is given equal opportunity to 
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benefit from the establishment of the PSHS System. Towards this end, not more than 
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two (2) PSHS campuses inclusive of the existing PSHS Campuses shall be established 
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in each of the administrative regions of the country outside NCR where PSHS Main 
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Campus is located. Provided that, all establishment of PSHS Campuses shall be in 
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accordance with the guidelines/criteria set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees. 
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After 15 years upon implementation of this law, the PSHS System Board of Trustees 
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(BoT) may consider establishment of more than two (2) PSHS campuses per region. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. - In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall 
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pursue the following objectives: 
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a)
Establish a science high school that offers on a free scholarship basis a
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secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to each
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student for a Science and Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.
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b) 
Establish campuses that are geographically-accessible to the public; 
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c) 
Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of 
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schools under the PSHS system; 
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d) 
Rationalize the establishment of science high schools as defined in this 
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Act 
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e) 
Integrate the existing and future campuses into one system of 
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governance and management 
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f) 
Ensure that students with high aptitude in science and mathematics are 
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given equal scholarship opportunities to enroll in the Philippine Science 
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High School System; 
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g) 
Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue 
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undergraduate courses to conduct researches and to become leaders in 
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the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; 
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     SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - 
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a) 
Philippine Science High School System (PSHS) — are secondary schools 
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offering scholarships to deserving students who shall be admitted and 
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trained under a curriculum specially designed to prepare them for 
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careers in Science and Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. 
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b) 
Philippine Science High School (PSHS System) - comprise the Office of 
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the Executive Director, and the PSHS campuses under its supervision. 
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c) 
Term - refers to the "term of office" with a duration of five (5) years in 
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each term 
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     SEC. 5. Scope. - The Philippine Science High School System shall be 
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composed of the existing PSHS campuses herein mentioned and future campuses 
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which shall be established under this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be 
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known as follows: 
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1. 
Philippine Science High School - Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City 
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2. 
Philippine Science High School - Davao Region Campus in Davao City, 
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formerly PSHS — Southern Mindanao Campus 
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3. 
Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in Iloilo City, 
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formerly Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus 
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4. 
Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte, formerly 
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Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus 
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5. 
Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya, 
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formerly PSHS-Cagayan Valley Campus 
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6. 
PSHS-Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao del Norte, formerly Philippine 
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Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus 
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7. 
Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines Sur, 
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formerly Philippine Science High School -Bicol Region Campus 
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8. 
Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus in Ilocos Sur, 
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formerly Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus 
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9. 
Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus in Cebu, formerly, 
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Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus 
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10. 
Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Clark Freeport 
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Zone, formerly Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus 
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11. 
Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus 
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in Baguio City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Cordillera 
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Administrative Region Campus 
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12. 
Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in 
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Koronadal City, formerly Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN 
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Region Campus 
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13. 
Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus in Butuan City, 
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formerly Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus 
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14. 
Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus in 
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Batangas City, formerly Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON 
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Region Campus 
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15. 
Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in Romblon, 
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formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus 
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16. 
Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus in 
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Dipolog City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga 
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Peninsula Region Campus” 
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In the establishment of future PSHS campuses, the Board of Trustees shall set 
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up in the following locations provided that, there shall only be one (1) campus to be 
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established in a province and shall pass the guidelines/criteria set by the BoT; Kalibo, 
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Aklan; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Daraga, Albay; Sta Rosa, Laguna; Bacoor City, Cavite; 
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Reina Mercedes, Isabela; Iguig, Cagayan; Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur; Malaybalay, 
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Bukidnon; Masinloc, Zambales; Aborlan, Palawan; and Madalum, Lanao del Sur. 
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    New campuses established under this act shall be integrated in their respective 
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regions as provided under this Act. 
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    SEC. 6. Restriction on the Conversion of High Schools into a 
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Philippine Science High School System. - In addition to the guidelines/criteria 
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that may be established by the PSHS Board of Trustees in the establishment and 
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operation of Philippine Science High School Systems, the conversion and inclusion of 
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existing high schools into the PSHS system shall not be allowed in order to maintain 
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the quality and uniform standard inherent of a bona fide PSHS. 
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    SEC. 7. Overall Coordinating Authority. - The PSHS System shall be 
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under the administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology 
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(DOST). The Board of Trustees shall be the Governing Board of all the PSHS campus 
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wherever situated. 
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     SEC.8. PSHS Board of Trustees. -There shall be a Board of Trustees 
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composed of the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex officio 
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Chairperson, the Secretary of Department of Education as ex officio Vice Chairperson 
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and the following members: the President of the University of the Philippines, The 
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Executive Director of PSHS, the Director of Science Education Institute (SEI), the 
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President from the PSHS National Alumni Association, and the Chairpersons of the 
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Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
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as ex officio members, and one (1) representative each from the private sector 
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representing higher education, child development professionals or practitioners, 
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industry, agriculture and new emerging technologies. The 
private 
sector 
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representatives shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of 
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a duly constituted search committee. As much as practicable, the private sector 
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representatives shall come from various geographic regions. For the first set of 
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appointments, three (3) of them shall serve for four (4) years, while the other two (2) for 
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two (2) years, thereafter, succeeding appointments shall a fixed term of four years. 
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The Board shall exercise the following powers: 
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a) 
Ensure that the provisions of the Laws pertaining to the creation and 
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operation of the PSHS System are enforced/ implemented; 
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b) 
Approve policies and guidelines necessary in the establishment and 
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operation of science high schools under the PSHS System in order to 
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maintain the quality and uniform standard in all PSHS Campuses; 
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c) 
Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director; 
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d) 
Approve policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under 
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the PSHS System; 
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e) 
Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students; 
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f) 
Approve the grant and termination of PSHS scholarships including 
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stipend and such allowances for students; 
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g) 
Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS 
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campuses; 
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h) 
Recommend to the DOST Secretary the appointment of Executive 
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Director, Deputy Executive Director(s) and Campus Director(s); 
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i) 
Approve appointment, promotion, retention, renewal, rewards and 
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incentives for faculty, fix their compensation and other conditions of 
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employment, and remove them for cause after proper investigation and 
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hearing; 
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j) 
Appoint professorial lecturers up to 70 years of age; 
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k) 
Draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty 
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and staff, and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to create 
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positions and fix and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members 
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and other employees and to determine the minimum hours of service of 
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faculty and such other terms and conditions of employment as it may 
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deem proper; 
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I) 
Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements thereof; 
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donations, contributions, bequests, gifts, and to formulate policies for 
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the administration thereof in accordance with applicable internal 
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revenue laws; 
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m) 
Approve the use of income generated by the PSHS System in the pursuit 
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of its functions and donations received in trust by individual campuses, 
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according to the purpose of the donor and intention of the donation. In 
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cases where income/donation received is not intended for a particular 
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campus, the Board shall likewise appropriate the same for the benefit of 
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the System or any part thereof; 
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n) 
Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty and staff; 
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o) 
Approve partnership of PSHS System with international institutions; 
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p) 
Approve policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment and 
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operation of science high schools under the System, for its assessment, 
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evaluation and approval including the naming or renaming of existing or 
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future PSHS Campuses; 
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     SEC. 9. Executive Director (ED). - There shall be an Executive Director for 
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PSHS System who shall be appointed by the DOST Secretary upon the 
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recommendation of the Board of Trustees and shall have the rank of an Executive 
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Director V, with a Salary Grade of 30 and with a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable 
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for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms at the option of the PSHS 
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System Board of Trustees. 
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The ED shall exercise academic and administrative supervision within the 
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Philippine Science High School System and shall be the Chief Executive Officer and 
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primary implementor of policies and guidelines set by the Board of Trustees. As a 
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member of the Board of Trustees, they shall articulate to the Board the concerns of the 
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PSHS System. 
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The ED shall act as the head of the procuring entity in the Office of the 
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Executive Director. 
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      In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the ED office shall be provided 
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with additional plantilla positions to be determine by the Executive Director and 
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approved by the BoT. 
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SEC.10. Deputy Executive Director. - There shall be three (3) Deputy 
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Executive Directors with the rank of Deputy Executive Director IV and with Salary 
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Grade (28) who shall be appointed by the DOST Secretary upon the recommendation of 
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the Board of Trustees on the basis of a search process. They shall serve for a fixed term 
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of five years, renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms at the 
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discretion of the Board. The DED shall perform duties assigned by the Executive 
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Director. 
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        SEC. 11. Campus Director. - There shall be a Campus Director for each 
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PSHS campus in the region who shall be appointed by the PSHS System BOT with the 
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rank of Director IV with a Salary Grade 28 on the basis of a search process. He/She 
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shall serve for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for another term but with a 
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maximum of three (3) terms. 
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    The Campus Director shall be given the option to apply as a Special Science 
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Teacher VI with the Salary Grade of 26 upon the end of his/her term. The CD shall 
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implement the academic programs, plans and activities of the PSHS Campus. The CD 
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shall act as the Head of the Procuring Entity in the campus. 
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        SEC. 12. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive Committee 
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in the PSHS System composed of the Executive Director as ex officio chairperson and 
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the Campus Directors as members. 
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        SEC.13. Extension of Tenure. - PSHS faculty members shall be considered 
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as scientists under the provisions of RA 8439 as amended by RA. No.11312 otherwise 
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known as “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and 
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Technology Personnel in the Government”. 
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     SEC. 14. Exemption from Tax. - Gifts and donations of real and personal 
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properties of all kinds shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be 
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considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance 
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with applicable internal revenue laws. 
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      SEC. 15. Teacher’s Qualification. - Appointment to Special Science Teacher 
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I shall be exempt from CSC Eligibility and can stay in the said rank for a maximum of 
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three (3) years. Appointments to Special Science Teacher II and above shall require 
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CSC eligibility or professional license recognized by the Philippine Regulatory 
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Commission. 
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Said professors, instructors and faculty members, as well as the school’s 
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administrative staff, shall be exempt from the provisions of laws, rules and regulations 
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on wage and position classification. 
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      SEC. 16. Patriot Formation Program. - To foster nationalism and 
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patriotism, accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and 
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development, PSHS personnel and scholars shall undergo patriot formation program 
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to instill the core values of professional excellence, social responsibility and servant 
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leadership to recognize their vital role in nation building and contribute to inclusive 
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development. 
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      SEC.17. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
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implementation of this act  and to start or open a new campus, shall be provided for in 
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the General Appropriations Act with a minimum allocation of 200 Million pesos per 
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additional campus, to be adjusted for inflation, for one academic building and one 
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dormitory building. Thereafter, sufficient appropriation as may be needed for the 
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continuous operation of the Philippine Science High School System shall be included 
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in the Annual General Appropriations Act for the continuous offering of secondary 
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STEM education on scholarship basis. 
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      SEC.18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BOT shall 
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formulate, within ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act, and issue the necessary 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the implementation of this Act. 
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      SEC.19. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
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shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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      SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act Nos. 3661, 8436 and 9036 are 
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hereby repealed. All laws, proclamations, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, 
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which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed 
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or modified accordingly. 
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      SEC.21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved,