EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
1
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2273
TiME
ISTMrX
Introduced by SENATORS WIN GATCHALIAN and JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
RECOGNIZING CCF LIFE ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC. AS AN 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, 
GRANTING CERTAIN PREROGATIVES TO HASTEN ITS GROWTH AS 
SUCH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The origins of international schools in the Philippines can be traced back 
as early as 1924. These schools were established to ensure that the children of 
foreign diplomats, overseas personnel, and the staff of non-governmental 
organizations will have a western education while their parents are working in 
a foreign country.1
In 2009, the International Association of School Librarianship (lASL) 
outlined a list of criteria where a majority of such conditions should be met in 
order to be established as an international school. The eight specified criteria 
are: 1. transferability of students’ education across international schools; 2. a 
moving population; 3. multinational and multilingual student body; 4. an 
international curriculum; 5. international accreditation; 6. a transient and
1 Wechsler, A. (2017, June 16). How Demand for a'Western' Education Reshaped International 
Schools. The Atlantic. See https://www.theatlantic.eom/education/archive/2017/06/the- 
intemational-school-surige/528792/, last accessed on May 25,2021.
,.r
.1


multinational teacher population; 7. non-selective student enrollment; and 8. 
usually English or bi-lingual as the language of instruction.2
Over time, these international schools were no longer dominated by the 
children of expatriates, as they have started catering to the children of wealthy 
locals who want their kids to compete to have a spot in western colleges and 
universities.3
In the Philippines, a Foreign or International School is defined under 
DepEd Order No. 88, series of 2010, as “one that is duly established and 
authorized in accordance with existing Philippine laws to operate certain 
educational programs which primarily and principally adhere to either 
universally accepted and recognized educational policies and standards or the 
unique differentially prescribed system of education of a particular country 
other than the Philippines.” 
■
CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. was created not only in pursuit of 
academic excellence, but also to foster Christian character and servant 
leadership in its students to influence the society for Christ. Its core values are 
love, integrity, faith and excellence. The school aims to develop internationally- 
minded individuals who, despite the differences in cultures ahd nationalities, 
recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet to 
help create a better and more peaceful world. The programs recognize 
multilingualism as a fact, a right, and a resource.
Since its founding in 2013, the School has grown from offering pre-schod 
to senior high school with a current population of 603 students, comprised of 
at least 7 nationalities, including Filipinos. It is also accredited with the
2 Nagarath, C. (2011, August 26). What Makes a School International? The International 
Ekiucator (TIE Online). See https://www.tieonline.com/article/87/what-makes-a-schooI- 
intemational-, last accessed on May 25,2021.
3 Supra Note 1
2


Association of Christian Schools International and has been accepting children 
of church workers and missionaries, including expatriates worldwide. The 
School is recognized by the American, Singaporean and other Christian 
international organizations.
In this age of globalization, both Filipino personnel and students would 
benefit from a school environment fostering intercultural learning and respect 
Recognizing CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. as an educational institution 
of international character would enable the school to offer the International 
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, considered as the gold standard among 
college ■ admissions officials, as well as adopt the International Christian 
curriculum with emphasis on Math and Science. This bill also seeks to accept 
more foreign students and recruit foreign personnel with ease. While adopting 
the Filipino First policy with respect to recruitment and selection, the school 
intends to engage the best possible personnel in teaching and administration. 
Employment of foreign teachers and administrators is a necessity to 
continuously keep its educational programs current and accredited on an 
international setting.
In view of the foregoing, we urge the passage of this legislation which 
seeks the recognition of CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. as an international 
school and be a global innovative learning institution that provides 
transformative education to help build holistically developed Christ-like 
influencers.
WIN GATCHALIAN
JOEL MILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
]
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2273
FILED
T»ME
ND’tX
Introduced by SENATORS WIN GATCHALIAN and JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
RECOGNIZING CCF LIFE ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC. AS AN 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OP INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, 
GRANTING CERTAIN PREROGATIVES TO HASTEN ITS GROWTH AS 
SUCH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
SECTION 1. CCF Life Academy Foundation Inc., herein referred to as 
the School, is hereby declared an educational institution of international 
character authorized to operate educational programs that primarily and 
principally adhere to universally accepted and recognized educational 
policies.
SEC 2. “CCF Life Academy International” shall be the registered name 
of the School, which was established by religious groups and mission boards 
and shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, elected at large from among 
the School’s members of good standing.
SEC. 3. To enable the School to continue carrying out its educational


1 
program, improve its standard of instruction, and meet the special needs of
2 
the foreign temporary resident community for quality education, it shall:
3 
(a) 
Be able to accept provisions and donations of every
4 
kind to carry out the purposes of the School and be entitled to
5 
use properties, real or personal, so donated and to construct and
6 
own buildings thereon exclusively for educational purposes:
7 
Provided, that for any reason, the School ceases to occupy or use
8 
real properties it may acquire by virtue of this Act, the properties
9 
and all improvements thereon of permanent nature shall accrue
10 
to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines;
11 
(b) 
Whenever necessary to carryout its objectives, have
12 
the right to obtain leases on real properties, acquire personal
13 
properties, tangible or intangible, or einy interests in such
14 
properties other than real, by purchase, lease, barter, donation,
15 
gift or otherwise, and dispose of, mortgage or encumber them for
16 
the benefit of the school concerned, subject to the limitations
17 
provided by law;
18 
(c) 
Accept applicants for admission, regardless of
19 
nationality, in accordance with its own eligibility standards, and
20 
rules for admission and grade placement: Promded, that no sin^e
21 
alien nationality shall consist more than thirty percent (30%) of
22 
the entire student population in a given school year, as stated in
23 
the records of the school, except in case of dependents of foreign
24 
diplomatic personnel or other foreign temporary residents, as
25 
may be provided by law;
26 
(d) 
Be managed and administered by a President,
27 
Headmaster or Superintendent, who possesses the qualifications
28 
prescribed by the Board;
29 
(e) 
Upon consultation with the Secretary of Education,
30 
determine its own curriculum and teach whatever language or
31 
languages it may deem proper and determine the amount of fees


1 
and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its
2 
pupils and students, to maintain or conform to the School’s
3 
standard of education;
4 
(f) 
Maintain the international standards of education
5 
compatible with those obtained in similar schools of generally
6 
recognized standing;
7 
(g) 
Upon reasonable determination of the non- !;
•V
8 
availability of Filipino personnel, employ its own teaching and
9 
management personnel selected by the Board either locally or f
10 
abroad, from the Philippines or other countries or nationalities, •
11 
such foreign personnel being exempt from otherwise applicable
12 
laws and regulations attending their employment, except laws
13 
that have been or will be enacted for the protection of employees:
14 
Provided, that such exemption shall not extend to their liability
15 
for income taxes, unless otherwise provided by a bilateral
16 
agreement;
17 
(h) 
Promote international friendship, goodwill and
18 
understanding among members of the foreign community and
19 
citizens of the Philippines; and
20 
(i) 
Not to teach anything derogatory to the prestige and
21 
well-being of the Philippines and its people, nor those which will
22 
subvert its institutions and government.
23
24 
SEC. 4. The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the members
25 
of the Board of the School, shall issue such rules as may be necessary to
26 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
27
28 
SEC. 5. If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act is
29 
subsequently declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining
30 
provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
31


1 
SEC. 6. Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the rules under Section
2 
4 herein, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
3 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
r- ■ ' f
.li