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SEPRES,
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
THIRD REGULAR SESSION

5915

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill was filed during the 11'” Congress as House Bill No. 438, the 12" Congress as House
Bill No. 1179, and the 13" Congress as House Bill No. 165, with the following Explanatory Note:

“This bill seeks to increase the allocation for the Special Education Fund by 100%.

“it is an accepted principle that education is the highest pillar of national development and
progress. Quality education is not a privilege but a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The State
is mandated to protect and promote such right. Many laws have been passed to achieve this goal
like giving free elementary and secondary education. Elementary and high school education are
very important because it is in these levels where basic education is taught. These levels are the
foundation stage of our youth, who will become the future leaders of our country. They comprise
the bigger portion of our population and therefore, must be given utmost concern.

“It is noted, however, that quality has taken second place to quantity in our educational
system, Admittedly, elementary and secondary levels, particularly in public schools, are operating
below standards due to the deficiency in facilities. Today, there are numerous schools that are
holding classes without classrooms, Children of taxpayers attend classes under mango trees and
appreciable shades in some cases. There are classrooms that do not have blackboards, chalks and
other facilities.

“The best investment the country can do is to provide quality education to the teeming
millions of young people who are buffeted by poverty, drug addiction, criminality and delinquency,
among others, mostly attributable to the neglect of parents and society as schools can be given the
necessary facilities needed by the children. Our teachers can undergo skills upgrading through
seminars and training to enhance their competence and capacity to teach.”

Presently, the foregoing statements are made more relevant and imperative with the
implementation of the k to 12 Basic Education Program. Local government units play a major role
for its success, primarily through the funding of various infrastructure and educational development
programs they can deliver. ‘The necessity of passing this bill is thus very clear.

ans

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA~
Lone District, Bacolod City


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘THIRD REGULAR SESSION

__5915

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE ALLOCATION FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND (SEF) AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

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

SECTION 1. Section 235 Chapter 5 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 235. Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund. - A
province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect
an annual tax of [one] TWO percent {(1%)] (2%) on the assessed value of real property
which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall
exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).

SEC. 2. All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following completion of its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,