Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City DATE July 1, 2022
TIME 2:22 pm
NINETEENTH CONGRESS BY Bei
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 931 _

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of a Philippine High School for the Creative Arts
System in the Philippines. At present, there are only two (2) high schools for the arts that have
been created through legislation, namely: the Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Bafios,
Laguna, and the High School for the Arts in Bataan.

It is the policy of the State 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.

This bill aims to provide a continuing source of artists of notable excellence and
leaders in the preservation and promotion of culture and the arts in the Philippines. Through
this measure, a high school system shall be institutionalized that will not only hone but make
relevant the artistic skills and talents of the youth. The PHSCA System shall implement a
general secondary education program with a special curriculum in the various fields of art. It
shall be geared towards early recognition and development of highly talented children
exceptionally gifted in such field, and protection of their bankable skills and talents. In line
with this, entrepreneurial skills and basic knowledge of intellectual property rights shall be
included in the curriculum.

There is a need to rekindle the love and passion for the arts in our people to preserve
the richness and depth of our culture. For decades, culture and the arts have not been given
priority in the education sector. The perception that it is neither productive nor lucrative
prevents gifted youth from pursuing a career in the culture and the arts. However, with this
measure, the State shall offer them a hand not merely to survive but to thrive and flourish.

a
2)
*



Let us give our youth the opportunity to speak through the various forms of art which, in its
essence, evoke in us truths of our humanity, our culture, and our identity. It is a beautiful
thought to harbor that in the amalgamation of our intersubjective experience which they
properly call ‘art’, it would be the nation, and beyond, who will truly benefit, by finding a piece
of identity in it.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of the proposed measure is earnestly requested.

eee

ROMAN T. ROMULO
Lone District, Pasig City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 931 __

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS SYSTEM
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as “The Philippine High School for the
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 fulfil 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,
encourage arts programs, national art competitions, and strengthen education for the
development of creative industries. This shall include a complete system geared towards the
development of a 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. - There is hereby established a Philippine High
School for the Creative Arts System (PHSCA) 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 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 as 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
members:

a) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the DepEd, as Chairperson;

b) Chairperson or the Executive Director of the 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, as member;

e) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, as member;

f) President or the Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), as
member;

g) President of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), as member;

h) Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), as member; and

i) Executive Director of the PHSCA System, as created in Section 9 of this Act.

The Board shall also include as members, two (2) 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, 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.

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. ~ The exercise of the corporate powers of
the PHSCA System is hereby vested exclusively to the Board.

It 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:



eIdaHeYwnNe

©

i
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
4B
44
45
46
47
48

(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 as well as other sites for future
expansion of the PHSCA System;

(c) Toapprove 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 or renewal of contracts, fixing of their compensations, subject to the
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;

() 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 national competitive auditions and examinations;

(i) To approve the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates for
graduation;

{k) To call on creative industries sector and establish partnership to ensure
employability of the PHSCA graduates;

(I) 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 all other acts incident to or required by virtue of its creation.

Sec. 6. Hiring of Foreign Educators and Consultants. — In addition to the powers and

functions vested to the Board under Section 5 of this Act, the Board shall be allowed to

3


eIrdsH.aun—

©

i

12
B
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
4l
a2
43
44
45
46
47

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:
Provided, further, That the hiring of foreign educators and consultants shall be in accordance
with the rules and regulations set by the Department of Labor and Employment and the
Bureau of Immigration.

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 (DBM).

Sec. 8. Meetings of the Board. - 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.

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 shall be
appointed by the Chairperson of the Board, subject to the approval of the members, based
‘on the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the implementing rules and regulations. The
Board shall also fix the compensation of the Executive Director in accordance with the
Compensation and Position Classification System, subject to the review and approval of the
DBM. The Executive Director shall coordinate the implementation of policies and guidelines
set by the Board. As a member of the Board, the Executive Director shall articulate to the
Board the mutual concern of all the campuses.

The Executive Director shall perform the following functions:

(a) Coordinate curriculum planning activities for the PHSCA System;


eIydaHeun—

©

ul

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

(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; and

(d) Provide legal, technical support and secretariat for the PHSCA System.

Sec. 10. Executive Council. ~ 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 in accordance with the Compensation and Position Classification System
subject to the review and approval of the DBM.

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 and 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 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. — The personnel of the PHSCA shall be classified into:

{a) Career service personnel, namely, those of the finance, administrative, and
personnel staff 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 specializing
in the various fields of creative industry, who shall be exempt from civil service examinations
and regulations.


weird sH.»sHeVn—

©

ul
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

45
46
47

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
Congressional Oversight Committee on the PHSCA System 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 chairpersons 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) member from the minority.

Sec. 16. Tax Exemptions. ~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, upon certification by the DepEd be exempt from customs
duties 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, finally, 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, to be used 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 of the donor for purposes of computing the taxable income
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 donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or
gifts, in cash or in-kind, received by the PHSCA from various sources shall be placed into a
fund, to be known as the Creative Arts School Fund. This fund shall be expended as authorized
by the Board exclusively for the purpose of this Act in accordance with existing budgeting,
accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

A similar fund may also be established for the regional high school for creative arts,
which may hereinafter be created subject to the existing budgeting, accounting and auditing
rules and regulations.


ey dsHeuwne

©

i

12
13
14
1s
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

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. The Philippine High School for the Arts. - The Philippine High School for the
Arts (PHSA), reorganized and existing under Executive Order No. 420, issued on 7 September
1990, shall continue to exist and operate according to law. It shall continue to be attached to
the DepEd, in close coordination with the CCP.

Sec. 21. 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. 22. 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. 23. 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. 24. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,