EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1786
1 lit 
*
1HE S«»X
lUi DA TC; Aug 24 2020 n
j(jO 
^
time:. 11:45 a.m.
BY
GIU
INDEX
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 14, Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall foster 
the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture 
based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual 
expression. To fulfill this constitutional mandate, this bill seeks to establish a Philippine 
High School for Creative Arts System (PHSCA).
At present, there are only two (2) specialized arts-focused public high school in the 
country, namely the Philippine High School for the Arts in Laguna and the Bataan High 
School for the Arts.
Similar to the Philippine Science High School System, this bill alms to establish a 
specialized high school system intended to hone the artistic skills and talents of the 
youth throughout the country, as well as to provide a continuing source of artists of 
notable excellence and leaders in the preservation and promotion of culture, arts and 
creative industry In the Philippines.
The PHSCA, as created, will implement a general secondary education program with a 
special curriculum oriented to the various fields of art. It shall be geared towards the 
early recognition and development of highly talented children exceptionally gifted in 
such field.
Furthermore, education, arts and culture play an important role in fostering patriotism 
and nationalism. Thus, there Is a need to rekindle the love and passion for the arts of 
the Filipino people. In order to preserve the richness and depth of our culture.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES H/i


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
11:45 a.m.
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1786
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE ARTS 
SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine High School for 
Creative Arts System Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth 
in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual, and social well-being. Moreover, the government is committed to fulfill its 
constitutional mandate to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution 
of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of 
free artistic and intellectual expression and to place arts, design and other intellectual 
creative creation under the patronage of the State. To this end, the State shall 
promote creative arts education and encourage arts programs, national art 
competitions, and the strengthening of education for the development of creative 
industries. This shall include a complete and harmonious development of citizenry who 
can contribute most meaningfully towards the creation and enhancement of a 
democratic, just, and humane society imbued with national identity and pride. The 
State shall provide adequate training for students with artistic abilities with the end 
view of producing world-class artists with solid academic background and strong 
patriotic ideals. In line with this, an educational system to foster the holistic 
development of the youth and to prepare the students for a long-term career in the 
various fields of creative industry is hereby established.
Sec. 3. Creation and Establishment of the Philippine High School for 
Creative Arts (PHSCA) System. - There is hereby established a Philippine High 
School for Creative Arts (PHSCA) System which are secondary schools offering full 
scholarships to deserving students with considerable potential in the fields of 
performing arts, creative writing, visual arts, and applied arts. Admitted students 
shall be trained under a special curriculum oriented in the fields of architecture and 
allied arts, cinema, dance, dramatic arts, literary arts, music, visual arts, design, digital


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
'30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
fabrication and new media, along with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and 
basic knowledge on intellectual property rights, with the end in view of providing 
quality education to students while preparing them for various creative industry 
related career as well a readiness for entrepreneurial endeavors or employment. It 
will, thus, provide a continuing source of artists of excellence and leaders in the 
preservation and promotion of culture, arts and the creative industry in the Philippines.
The PHSCA System shall be administratively attached to the Department of 
Education (DepEd) in consultation with the National Commission on Culture and the 
Arts (NCCA) for program Implementation.
Sec. 4. Board of Trustees. - The PHSCA System shall be governed by a Board of 
Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the "Board", which shall be composed of the 
following:
(a) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of 
Education, as Chairperson;
(b) Chairperson or the Executive Director of the National Commission on 
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as Co-chairperson;
(c) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), as member;
(d) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of 
Information and Communication Technology (DICT), as member;
(e) President or the Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines 
(CCP), as member;
(f) President of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), as 
member;
(g) Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA), as member;
(h) 
Executive Director of the PHSCA System as created in Section 9 of this 
Act, as member.
The Board shall also include as members, three (3) representatives from the 
fields of performing arts, visual arts and applied arts who may either be a respected 
member of the academe in the field of culture and the arts or a representative from 
the creative industries of known expertise, integrity and probity, all of whom shall be 
appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, subject to the confirmation of 
the members of the Board. The members from the academe and creative industry 
community shall have a term of three (3) years, renewable for another three (3) 
years, and shall not be eligible for reappointment.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
All members who are not receiving regular compensation from the government 
shall receive reasonable per diem to be determined by the Board subject to current 
practices, for every meeting of the Board.
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Board of Trustees. - The exercise of the 
corporate powers of the PHSCA System is hereby vested exclusively In the Board.
The Board shall have the following specific powers and duties in addition to its 
general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the 
board of directors of a corporation under Section 35 of Republic Act No. 11232, 
otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines:
(a) To formulate policies and guidelines for the administration and operation 
of the PHSCA System;
(b) To determine the site of the first PHSCA campus. After the first site for the 
PHSCA campus shall have been established, to determine other sites for future 
expansion of the PHSCA System;
(c) To approve the curricula, course of study, and rules of discipline drawn up 
by the Executive Council as hereinafter provided;
(d) To receive and appropriate for the ends herein specified such sums as may 
be provided by law for the support of the PHSCA;
(e) To formulate policies on personnel organization, appointment, promotion, 
retention/renewal of contracts, fixing of their compensations, subject to existing 
Compensation and Position Classification System, removal for just cause, rewards, 
incentives and other conditions of employment for administrators, faculty and staff of 
the PHSCA;
(f) To approve appointments made and contracts entered into by the 
Executive Director in connection with the employment of administrative officers, 
teachers, lecturers and other employees of the school;
(g) To provide and approve fellowship grants and trainings for administrators, 
faculty members and staff;
(h) To approve the grant of scholarships, stipends and such other allowances 
to deserving students based on the guidelines and implementing rules;
(i) To establish the criteria for the selection and admission of students which 
shall include, among others, national competitive auditions and examinations;
(j) To approve the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates 
for graduation;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
(k) To call on creative industries sector and establish partnership to ensure 
employability of the PHSCA graduates;
(l) To receive, in trust, legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal 
property of all kinds and to administer the same for the benefit of the PHSCA or for 
aid to any of its students;
(m) To enact rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to 
carry out the purposes and functions of the PHSCA; and
(n) To perform any and ail other acts incident to or required by virtue of its 
creation.
Sec. 6. Hiring of Foreign Educators and Consuitants. - In addition to the 
powers and functions vested to the Board under Section 5 of this Act, the Board shall 
be allowed to approve the hiring of foreign educators and consultants: Provided, That 
the NCCA shall certify the necessity of hiring such educators and consultants, including 
their competence and skills which are not available locally or proved to be 
incomparable with their local counterparts.
The Board shall provide guidelines and mechanisms to ensure that the new 
knowledge and training methods introduced by the foreign educators and consultants 
shall be passed on to the student-artists and local educators, trainers and consultants 
of the PHSCA.
Sec. 7. Campuses. - The Board shall provide for policies for the organization of 
regional nationally funded high schools for creative arts. The Board shall also provide 
for policies to enter Into a memorandum of agreement with existing locally funded 
high schools for the arts for consideration as extension campuses or branches of the 
PHSCA System. The extension campuses shall be organized in coordination with the 
concerned local government unit and the DepEd, and In consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management.
Sec. 8. Meetings of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall regularly convene 
at least once every quarter of the PHSCA school calendar: Provided, That within sixty 
(60) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall immediately convene and 
conduct monthly meetings for purposes of determining the site for the first PHSCA 
campus, choosing and appointing the Executive Director, the three (3) members of 
the Board from the academe and/or creative arts community, and plan for the effective 
organization of the PHSCA System.
The Chairperson or the Co-chairperson of the Board may call a special meeting 
whenever necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three 
(3) days prior to said meeting.
A majority of all members holding office, in person or virtually, shall constitute 
a quorum for board meetings: Provided, That the Chairperson or the Co-chairperson 
of the Board are among those present in the meeting.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Sec. 9. Executive Director. - The PHSCA System shall be headed by an Executive 
Director who shall serve for a fixed term of six (6) years. The Executive Director shail 
be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, subject to the approvai of 
the members of the Board based on the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the 
implementing rules and regulations. The Board shali also fix the compensation of the 
Executive Director. The Executive Director shali coordinate the implementation of 
policies and guideiines set by the Board. As a member of the Board, the Executive 
Director shaii articulate to the Board the mutual concern of all the campuses.
The Executive Director shaii perform the foilowing functions:
(a) Coordinate curricuium planning activities for the PHSCA System;
(b) Coordinate exchange programs with other educational institutions for 
creative arts both local and foreign;
(c) Coordinate the implementation of the program for the identification and 
selection of scholars for the PHSCA System;
(d) Provide legal, technical support and secretariat for the PHSCA System.
Sec. 10. Executive Councii. - There shall be an Executive Council consisting of the 
Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director, as created in Section 11 of this Act, 
and the Campus Directors, as created In Section 12 of this Act.
The Executive Council shall be responsible for the development of the artistic 
potential of every student with a strong academic base and for providing programs 
for the students with the end goal of training gifted youths in various fields of creative 
art. The Council shall implement and execute the policies laid down by the Board and 
exercise such other functions, powers and duties as the Board may prescribe.
Sec. 11. Deputy Executive Director, - There shall be a Deputy Executive Director 
who shall assist the Executive Director. In the absence of the Executive Director, the 
Deputy Executive Director shall assume the administrative and supervisory functions 
of the Executive Director. The Deputy Executive Director, who shall have a fixed term 
of four (4) years, renewable for another four (4) years, shall be appointed by the 
Chairperson of the Board subject to the approval of the same Board, which shall also 
fix the compensation of the Deputy Executive Director.
Sec. 12. Campus Director. - Each PHSCA shall be headed by a Campus Director 
who shall be appointed by the Board, upon recommendation of the Executive Director 
on the basis of a search process. The Campus Director shall have a fixed term of six 
(6) years. The Campus Director shall not be removed from office except for cause.
The Campus Director shall be the administrative and academic head of the 
campus assigned to, and will be responsible for its effective and efficient operations. 
The Campus Director may constitute a management committee which may act as a


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
consultative body for the educational needs, standard of living in campus and other 
related services for the students, faculty and staff of the campus.
Sec. 13. Civil Service Coverage. - Personnel of the PHSCA shall be classified into:
(a) Career service personnel, namely, those of the finance, administrative, and 
personnel staff of the PHSCA and the general education faculty, who shall be covered 
by civil service examinations and regulations; and
(b) Non-career service personnel, consisting of the members of the faculty 
who specialized in the various fields of creative industry, who shall be exempt from 
civil service examinations and regulations.
Career and non-career service personnel shall be subject to Compensation and 
Position Classification System. They shall be entitled to retirement benefits enjoyed by 
all government personnel, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
Provisions for retirement shall be included in the annual budget of the PHSCA.
Sec. 14. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit to the Office of the President of 
the Philippines and Congress a detailed report on the progress, condition and needs 
of the PHSCA two (2) months prior to the opening of every school year.
Sec. 15. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a 
Joint Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of 
this Act.
The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from 
the Senate and from the House of Representatives, including the Chairs of the 
Committees on Basic Education and Culture, and Finance in the Senate and 
Appropriations in the House of Representatives. The membership of the Committee 
for each House shall have at least one (1) opposition or minority member.
Sec. 16. Tax Exemptions of the PHSCA System. - The importation of equipment 
relating to creative Industry, books, art related supplies, musical Instruments, 
materials and goods, including those donated to the PHSCA System shall be exempt 
from customs duty In accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, 
otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)": Provided, 
That these are of international standards and are not available from local 
manufacturers: Provided, further. That the importation shall only be in such numbers 
as may be required in the development programs and/or training of the students: 
Provided, finaiiy. That all importations shall be made in the name of PHSCA System 
as recipient and shall be Immediately registered in the name of PHSCA System.
Sec. 17. Tax Exemption on Donations. - All grants, bequest, endowments, 
donations and contributions made to the PHSCA and that are actually, directly and 
exclusively used by the PHSCA, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall 
be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in the computation of


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
the income tax of the donor In accordance with the provisions of the National Internal 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
Sec. 18. Creative Arts School Fund. - All incomes and donations to the PHSCA 
created under this Act shall be formed into a fund, to be known as the Creative Arts 
School Fund, which the PHSCA shall be authorized to retain, without need of a 
separate approval from any government agency, and subject only to existing 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. This fund shall be expended as 
authorized by the Board exclusively for the purpose of this Act.
Sec. 19. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation 
of this Act shall be Included in the DepEd budget in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.
Sec. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, NCCA, DTI, TESDA 
and CECP shall promulgate not later than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this 
Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 
Act: Provided, That the failure to promulgate the rules and regulations shall not 
prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 22. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive order and other 
administrative Issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved,