SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) (2) ae
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
Second Regular Session )

18 FEB21 P2"1

Sine

SENATE

SB. No._1703

Introduced by SENATOR LACSON

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING FAITH ACADEMY, INCORPORATED AS AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, GRANTING CERTAIN
PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH AS SUCH, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Faith Academy is an International Christian School offering K-12 education for
missionary, national, and international students. It offers a globally-recognized English language
curriculum and provides a progressive and well-rounded education. Faith Academy's teaching
staff and its students represent more than 20 nationalities. It operates as a day-and-boarding
school where approximately twenty percent (20%) of the high school student body lives in
boarding homes provided by the Academy.

The Academy began its operations on July 15, 1957 in a rented old house at V. Mapa

Street in Manila which served as classrooms and dormitory to six (6) teachers and forty-seven
(47) students. Today, the campus sits in an 8.14-hectare parcel of land in Valley Golf Hills
Subdivision in Cainta, Rizal

In 2005, Faith Academy was formally recognized by the Department of Education as
an International School in conjunction with its charter as an alien school. As a result, the school
can accept students of any nationality, including Filipinos. Today, Filipinos comprise the third
largest population of students in the Academy.

It currently maintains a joint accreditation status with the Western Association of School
| & Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International. Through the International
| General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program, the school has been one of the
| few institutions in the Philippines which are accredited by United Kingdom-based Cambridge
| International Examinations as a Cambridge International Centre. Faith Academy is also one of
| the few schools in Asia and the only school in the Philippines that has been approved to offer
| the AP Capstone program

For over six (6) decades of its operation, Faith Academy has competently served and
adequately responded to the educational needs of its students. It is high time that the Philippine
Government extend its formal recognition to Faith Academy as a distinguished educational
institution of international character, granting it certain prerogatives conducive to its growth.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

bX
PANFII . LACSON
nator



Senaie
‘Sttice ot the Secretary
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE. )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
Second Regular Session ) 18 FEB 21 P21

SENATE, RECEIVED By: i:
sB.No. 1703

Introduced by SENATOR LACSON

RECOGNIZING FAITH ACADEMY, INCORPORATED AS AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, GRANTING CERTAIN
PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH AS SUCH, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Official Recognition. — Faith Academy Incorporated, herein referred to as
the “School”, is hereby declared and officially recognized as an educational institution of
international character authorized to operate educational programs that primarily and principally
adhere to universally-accepted and -recognized educational policies.

SECTION 2. Members of the School. — The School shall have as its members the
school management and the parents or guardians, whether of Philippine or foreign nationality, of
the children who have enrolled and attended the School for at least one (1) school year:
Provided, that the School shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, herein referred to as the
“Board” elected in accordance with its corporate charter.

SECTION 3. Grant of Prerogatives. —To enable the School to continue carrying out its
educational program, to improve its standard of instruction, and to meet the special needs of the
foreign temporary resident community for quality education, it shall:

(a) Be managed and administered by a Head of School, who shall possess the qualifications
prescribed by the Board of Trustees;
(b) Accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its own

eligibility standards and rules for admission and grade placement: Provided, That no



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single alien nationality shall consist more than thirty percent (30%) of the entire student
population in a given school year, as stated in the records of the School;

(©) Upon consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd),
determine its own curriculum, teach whatever language or languages it may deem
proper, set their calendar of studies and work schedule, and determine the amounts,
categories and kinds of fees and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its
students and the compensation of its teachers, consultants, employees and necessary
personnel to maintain or conform to the School's standard of education;

(@ Maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar schools of
generally recognized standing;

(e) Determine the kind and number of personnel it will utilize, and define their respective
designations and qualifying requirements. Foreign nationals selected, appointed,
employed or designated shall be exempted from laws that impose 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 exception shall not
extend to their liability from income taxes; and,

(f) Promote international friendship, goodwill, and understanding among members of the
foreign community and citizens of the Philippines.

SECTION 4. Visa Status. — Foreign scholars, trainees, participants, students, fellows or
professors appointed, selected, hired, employed or otherwise by Faith Academy, Inc. shall be
allowed entry as special non-immigrants under Section 47 (a) (2) of the Philippine Immigration
Act of 1940, as amended, and as such shall be exempted from the payment of visa and
immigration fees; Provided, however, that such persons are holders of valid passports and are not
otherwise disqualified from entering the Philippines.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules. —The DepEd Secretary shall issue such rules as may

be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.



SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — If any clause, sentence, paragraph ot part of this
Act is subsequently declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,