REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
4263

Introduced by HON. CESAR V. SARMIENTO
and HON. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO LIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The German-Filipino relations have never been better. Since 1961, when Germany

decided to make the Philippines as one of its development partners in Asia, it is now the
fourth largest bilateral donor after Japan, the United States and Australia.

Around 876 million euros have already been given as total assistance made by
Germany. In addition, the Philippines receives substantial assistance from the World Bank,
European Union and the Asian Development Bank, where Germany is the biggest European

donor.

German industries have also started to make its mark in the Philippine economy
providing investment and employment. To name a few, Lufthansa Technik, Continental,
Bosch, Porsche/Audi, Siemens and Schenker, have all set-up business offices and/or plants in
the Philippines to infuse the much needed foreign investments.

‘As a result of the growing German participation in the Philippine economy, a total of
around twenty thousand (20,000) German nationals are permanent residents in the Philippines
where majority have opted to reside in Metro Manila. In order to meet the demands of the
German expatriates, the Deutsche Schule (German School) was set up in 1980 and was
recognized by the Department of Education. The school’s population immediately grew
necessitating the transfer to a bigger campus twice: to University of Life and later to Better
Living in Paranaque City along with the French School Manila.

In 2006, the Deutsche Schule changed its name to Deutsche International Schule
Mania, Inc. to comply with Philippine laws and regulations. In 2008, it further changed its


name to German European School Manila, Inc. (GESM, for brevity) in preparation of its

intent be recognized as an international school.

Presently, GESM has a total of 198 students of different nationalities namely:
Germans (69), Filipino-German (41), Filipinos (26), Americans (7), American-Germans (4),
‘Swiss-Filipinos (4), Swiss (5), Dutch and Dutch-Filipino (8), Austrians (4), British (7) among

others.

Clearly, the patronage of the European community in the Philippines of the GESM
patently shows the need for the same to be established as an international school to enable
itself to provide the unique German/European mode and procedure of education that endeared

the school to its captive clients.

For this purpose, the bill aims to recognize the German European International School
of Manila, Inc., the status as an international school and granting certain prerogatives
conducive to its growth like the Southville International School and the Cebu International
School.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

ae FB soos tre TT
HON. CESAR V. SARMIENTO. HON. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO HL
Representative, Catanduanes Representative, 1 District, Sorsogon


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4263

Introduced by HON. CESAR V. SARMIENTO.
and HON. SALVADOR ESCUDERO IIL

AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE GERMAN EUROPEAN SCHOOL MANILA,
INCORPORATED AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF
INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, GRANTING CERTAIN PREROGATIVES
CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH AS SUCH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Section 1. German European School Manila, Inc., herein referred to as the German
School, is hereby declared an educational institution of international character authorized
to operate recognized German educational programs that primarily and principally adhere

to, specifically, German educational programs and /or course curriculum and/or

generally, to universally accepted and recognized educational policies.

Sec.2. ‘The members of the German School, shall be comprised of parents or guardians,
of the children who have enrolled and attended the School for at least one (1) school
year: Provided, That the majority of whom shall be German and/or Filipino citizens and
the minority of whom shall be of foreign nationality; Provided, further, that the school
year shall be determined in accordance with the German School's own calendar of
studies and work schedule: Provided, finally, That the German School shall be governed
by a Board of Trustees, herein referred to as the Board, elected at large from among the

corporation's German and/or Filipino members of good standing.


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Sec. 3.

To enable the German School to continue carrying out its educational program,

improve its standard of instruction and meet the special needs of the foreign temporary

resident community for quality education, it shall:

(a)

(b)

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Be able to accept provisions and donations of every kind to carry out the
purposes of the German School and be entitled to use properties, real or
personal, so donated and to construct and own buildings thereon exclusively for
educational purposes : Provided, That for any reason, the German School,
ceases to occupy and/or use real properties it may acquire by virtue of this Act,
the properties and all improvements thereon of permanent nature shall accrue to

the Government of the Republic of the Philippines;

whenever necessary to carry out its objectives, have the right to obtain leases on
real properties, acquire personal properties, tangible or intangible, or any
interests in such properties other real, by purchase, lease, barter, donation, gift
or otherwise, and dispose of, mortgage or encumber them for the benefit of the

school concerned;

accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its
own eligibility standards, and rules for admission and grade placement:
Provided, That no single alien nationality shall consist more than thirty percent

(30%) of the entire student population in a given school year, as stated in the


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(d)

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(g)

records of the School: Provided, further that the Board of the German School
may allow the enrolment of as many German and/or Filipino citizens in a given
school year that the total number of German and/or Filipino pupils/students may

exceed the thirty (30%) percent limit as stated above;

be managed and administered by a superintendent, who shall be a German

citizen and shall possess the qualifications prescribed by the Board;

determine its own curriculum and teach the German language and whatever
language or languages it may deem proper and determine; the amount of fees
and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its pupils and/or

students, to maintain or conform to the German School's standard of education;

maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar
schools in Germany, the Philippines and other Intemational educational

institutions of generally recognized standing;

employ its own teaching and management personnel selected by the Board
either locally or abroad, from Germany and/or the Philippines or other
nationalities, such foreign personnel being exempt from laws that imposes
nationality restrictions on control and administration of educational institutions,
except laws that have been or will be enacted for the protection of employees:
Provided, That such exemption shall not extend to their liability for income

taxes, unless otherwise provided by a bilateral agreement;


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(h) promote international friendship, goodwill and understanding among the

members of the foreign community and the citizens of the Philippines; and
(i) not teach anything derogatory to the prestige and well-being of the Philippines

and its people, nor those which will subvert its institutions and government.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of Education, in consultations with the German Embassy and the
members of the Board of the German Schoo! shall issue such rules as may be necessary

to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 5. If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act is subsequently declared

unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force

and effect.

Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.