Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House Bill No,__'7210

Introduced by Representative JOSE ENRIQUE S. GARCIA III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate the creation of at least one (1) High School for the Arts
in every region nationwide.

Section 17, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall,
among others, give priority to arts and culture to foster patriotism and nationalism.
However, it cannot be gainsaid that (1) efforts to promote arts and culture in the
country have been highly centralized in national government agencies, and (2) other,
perhaps more quantitative, subjects have hogged the attention of our resources in terms
of developing education.

While the national government agencies put up a gallant effort in promoting arts
and culture, it is submitted by this representation that only through devolution of this
responsibility to regional units that the objective can be achieved.

Further, while it is important to focus on the sciences, arts and culture reflect the
heart of our nation, and frame the character of our people while we embark towards our
desired bright future. It thus deserves, as the Constitution mandates, preference and
priority. This bill seeks to ensure the preservation of the Filipino heritage and identity
through arts and culture education.

It is hoped that thru this policy, the duty of developing arts and culture will more
prudently be spread across the country thru institutions that will focus specifically on
such disciplines. The national government agencies cannot fulfill this alone. And given
the initiative of this administration to decentralize, there is no better time to commence
this policy than now.

Support for this bill is therefore earnestly sought.

(Ar

JOSE ENRJQUE S. GARCIA II
2nd Distritt, Province of Bataan


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7210

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative JOSE ENRIQUE S. GARCIA III

AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AT LEAST ONE (1) HIGH
SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN EVERY REGION NATIONWIDE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Principles - The State shall protect and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

The State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society,
taking into consideration the different capabilities of each student.

The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution
of the Filipino culture in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression, and
shall encourage such discourse and learning in an educational setting,

SECTION 2. Creation of High School for the Arts in all Regions - The
Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby mandated to establish at least one
(1) High School for the Arts in every region nationwide.

SECTION 3. Compliance - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall, in
coordination with the local government units concerned, take into consideration
the school capacity, faculty readiness, location, and local student demand in
identifying and assigning the appropriate areas where a High School for the Arts
shall be established in accordance with this Act.

The DepEd shall develop the necessary criteria that each regional High
School for the Arts must comply with to ensure the effective implementation of
this Act.


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SECTION 4. Appropriation - During the initial year of the implementation
of this Act, the requisite funding shall be sourced from the available funds of the
DepEd. Every year thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
operation and maintenance of all High School for the Arts shall be provided in
the yearly General Appropriations Act of the national government.

The LGUs concerned shall likewise provide assistance to the
corresponding High School for the Arts.

SECTION 5. Suppletory Application - The relavant provisions of Republic
Acts 9155 and 10533, otherwise known as the “Governance of Basic Education
Act of 2001” and “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” respectively, shall have
suppletory application for purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within one hundred
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education,
in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines shall issue such rules and regulations as may
be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any part or provision
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or
provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon
the approval and publication thereof.

Approved.