Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5982

Explanatory Note

This bill seeks to establish a Philippine High School for the Arts System in the Philippines.
Currently, we only have the Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Bafios, Laguna (created by
P.D. 1287, as amended by E.O. 420), as well as the High School for the Arts in Bataan (R.A.
11190).

Akin to the Philippine Science High School System and the proposed bill on the National
‘Academy for Sports System, this bill will establish a specialized High School System intended to
hone the artistic skills and talents of the youth throughout the country. The PHSA System as
created will implement a general secondary education program which will be adapted 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. The
result that we wish to attain is 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.

This measure is crafted in order for the government to properly 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 and letters under the patronage of the State.

It cannot be stressed further that there is a need to rekindle the love and passion for the arts
in our people, in order to preserve the richness and depth of our culture. For decades now, we have

focused on rebuilding and in the process have neglected and allowed culture and the arts to resort


its own devices. It is with this bill that we offer them a hand not merely to survive, but to thrive
and flourish. Let us once again allow our youth to speak through the various forms of art which,
in its essence, evokes 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 us, those who stand witness, who will truly benefit, by finding a piece of
ourselves in it. Given all that has been said, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

ale ee

ROMAN T. ROMULO
Representative — Lone District of Pasig


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

5982
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE ARTS SYSTEM

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 Arts System Act of 2020.”

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 and letters under the patronage of the State. Towards this end, the
State shall promote arts education and encourage arts programs, national art competitions, and
the development of such necessary skills. 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 art is hereby
established.

Sec. 3. Objectives. — In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall pursue the
following objectives:

(a) Integrate the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) campus at National Art
Center, Mt. Makiling, Los Baiios and existing high schools for the arts in other regions
into one system of governance and management.

(b) Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematize operations of schools under
the PHSA System; and

(c) Rationalize the establishment of Philippine High School for the Arts as defined in
this Act.


Sec. 4. Creation and Establishment of the Philippine High School for the Arts
(PHSA) - There is hereby established a Philippine High School for the Arts System (PHSA)
which are secondary schools offering full scholarships to deserving students with considerable
potential in the various fields of art. Admitted students shall be trained under a special
curriculum oriented in the fields of music, dance, theater arts, visual arts and creative writing,
with the end in view of providing quality education to students while preparing them for various
arts related career. It will, thus, provide a continuing source of artists of excellence and leaders
in the preservation and promotion of culture and the arts in the Philippines.

The PHSA System shall be administratively attached to the National Commission for
Culture and Arts (NCCA) for budgetary purposes.

Sec. 5. Scope. - The Philippine High School for the Arts System shall be composed of
the Philippine High School for the Arts campus at National Art Center, Mt. Makiling, Los
Bafios, existing high schools for the arts in other regions and future campuses in every region
which shall be established under this law.

Sec. 6. Board of Trustees. ~ The PHSA System shall governed by a Board of Trustees,
hereinafter referred to as the “Board”, which shall be composed of the Chairperson of the
National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) as Chairperson, the Secretary of the
Department of Education as Vice Chairperson and the following members: the President or
Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Executive Director of
the PHSA system as created in Section 10 of this Act. The Board of Trustees shall also include
as members, a representative from each of the fields of music, dance, theater arts, visual arts,
and creative writing which may either be a respected member of the academe in the field of
culture and the arts or a representative from the arts community 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
arts community shall have a fixed term of six (6) 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. 7. Powers and Functions of the Board of Trustees. — The exercise of the corporate
powers of the PHSA system is hereby vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees.

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
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
PHSA System;


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To determine the sites for the other campuses of the PHSA for later expansion
after the first PHSA campus shall have been established as provided in Section 5
hereof,

To approve the curricula, course of study, and rules of discipline drawn up by the
Executive Council as hereinafter provided;

To receive and appropriate for the ends herein specified such sums as may be
provided by law for the support of the PHSA;

To formulate policies on personnel organization, appointment, promotion,
retention/renewal of contracts, compensation, removal for just cause, rewards,
incentives and other conditions of employment for administrators, faculty and
staff of the PHSA;

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;

To approve the grant of scholarships, stipends and such other allowances to
deserving students based on the guidelines and implementing rules,

To establish the criteria for the selection and admission of students which shall
include, among others, national competitive trials and examinations;

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

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 PHSA or for aid to any
of its students;

To enact rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes and functions of the PHSA; and

(m) To perform any and all other acts incident to or required by virtue of its creation

Sec. 8. Hiring of Foreign Educators and Consultants. — In addition to the powers
and functions vested to the Board under Section 7 of this Act, the Board shall be allowed to
approve the hiring of licensed foreign educators and consultants: Provided, That the CCP shall
certify the necessity of hiring such educators, 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, consultants shall be passed on to the
student-artists and local educators, trainers and consultants of the PHSA.


Sec. 9. Meetings of the Board of Trustees, ~ The Board of Trustees shall regularly
convene at least once every semester of the PHSA school calendar: Provided, That upon the
effectivity of this Act, the Board of Trustees shall immediately convene for purposes of
choosing and appointing the Executive Director, the members from the academe and/or arts
community, and plan for the effective organization of the Philippine High School for the Arts
System.

The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees 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 shall constitute a quorum for board
meetings: Provided, That the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the Board are among
those present in the meeting.

Sec. 10. Executive Director of the PHSA. ~ The PHSA System shall be headed by an
Executive Director who shall serve for a period of six (6) years. The Executive Director shall
be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, subject to the approval of the
members of the Board 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.
The Executive Director shall coordinate the implementation of policies and guidelines set by
the Board of Trustees. 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 PHSA System;

(b) Coordinate exchange programs with other educational institutions for the arts both
local and foreign;

(c) Coordinate the implementation of the program for the identification and selection
of scholars for the PHSA System.

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

See, 11. Executive Council. — There shall be an Executive Council consisting of the
Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director, as created in Section 12 of this Act, and
the Campus Directors, as created in Section 13 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 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. 12. Deputy Executive Director of the PHSA. ~ 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 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of


the Board subject to the approval of the same Board, which shall also fix compensation of the
Deputy Executive Director.

Sec. 15, Campus Director. — Each PHSA 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 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. 16, Civil Service Coverage - Personnel of the PHSA shall be classified into:

(a) Career service personnel, namely, those of the finance, administrative, and
personnel staff of the PHSA and the general education faculty, covered by civil service
regulations

(b) Non-career service personnel, namely, visiting professors and instructors in the
various fields of art, who shall be exempt from civil service regulations.

Career and non-career service personnel shall be subject to civil service rules and
regulations on wage and position classifications. 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 PHSA.

See. 17. 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 PHSA
two (2) months prior to the opening of every school year.

Sec. 18. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine High School for
Arts System (PHSA System). — 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. 19. Tax Exemptions of the PHSA System. — The importation of equipment, books,
art related supplies, musical instruments, materials and goods, including those donated to the
PHSA System shall be exempted 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, finally,
That all importations shall be made in the name of PHSA System as recipient and shall be
immediately registered in the name of PHSA System.


Sec. 20, Tax Exemption on Donations. — All grants, bequest, endowments, donations
and contributions made to the PHSA and that are actually, directly and exclusively used by the
PHSA, shall be exempt from donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable
deduction from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the donor in
accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Sec. 21. Arts Academy Funds. — All incomes and donations to the PHSA created under
this Act shall be formed into a fund, to be known as the Arts Academy Fund, which the PHSA.
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. 22. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act shall be included in the NCCA budget in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The NCCA, DepEd and CCP 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. 25. 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. 26. 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. 27. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national circulation in the
Philippines