RE CEIVED

Republic of the Philippines pasts OWN 2018
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H TNE 7 we
Quezon City i nig,
i =
i —— ee
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS REGISTRATON UNIT
First Regular Session BULAN INCEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO. 139

Introduced by the Honorable Victoria Isabel G. Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the Commonwealth era, the Americans introduced the public school system to the
Philippines. To meet the need for public school buildings, the Asamblea, Filipina (Philippine
‘Assembly), passed as one of its first laws Act. No. 1801 framed by Nueva Ecija representative
Isauro Gabaldon.

‘Taken from the surname of its principal advocate, it came to be known as the "Gabaldon Act
of 1907," and all the school buildings built in the next two decades during the American period
were called "Gabaidon Schoolhouses."

These "Gabaldon Schoothouses” have withstood the elements and until the present are still
being used by public schools throughout the country.

This bill seeks to rehabilitate and repair the “Gabaldon Schoolhouses” and other heritage
school buildings nationwide to preserve its historical significance as well as address the ever

growing need for educational facilities.
VICTORIAIISABEL G. NOEL

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ot OF REPRESENTATIVES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

139

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by the Honorable Victoria Isabel G. Noel

AN ACT MANDATING THE CONSERVATION OF GABALDON AND OTHER,
HERITAGE SCHOOL BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Gabaldon and Other
Heritage School Buildings Conservation Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
conserve and promote the country’s historical and cultural heritage and resources. Towards
this end, it shall strengthen its efforts and pursue a more proactive role in the conservation
and restoration of built heritage such as the Gabaldon and other heritage schoo! buildings, to
preserve their architectural, historical and social significance.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Conservation refers to all processes and measures of maintaining the cultural
significance of Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings including preservation,
restoration, reconstruction, protection, adaptation or any combination thereof;

(b) Gabaldon school buildings refer to school buildings designed by American
architect William Parsons and funded through Act No. 1801 authored by Assemblyman
Isauro Gabaldon; and

(c) Other heritage school buildings refer to any other heritage structures within the
school dating at least fifty (50) years old.

SEC.4. Conservation of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings. ~ The
Department of Education (DepED) shall, in consultation with the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines


(NHCP), and the National Museum (NM), implement a program for the identification and
conservation of all Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings nationwide.

For this purpose, an inventory of all Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings,
whether fully functional or condemned, in all public elementary and secondary schools shall
be jointly undertaken by the DepED and the NCCA to determine the physical status of each
structure. School heads shall submit to their respective schools division superintendent, for
appropriate action, a report indicating the existence of and structural damage to any
Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings in the school under their supervision.

The local government unit having jurisdiction over schools where Gabaldon and
other heritage school buildings are located shall likewise adopt measures for the protection
and conservation of these structures and shall provide the DepED the necessary assistance
in the implementation of any conservation projects.

Any modification, alteration, destruction, demolition, or relocation of Gabaldon and
other heritage school buildings shall be strictly prohibited. In cases where conservation is
necessary, the DepED, together with the NCCA, the NHCP and the NM, shall provide
proper technical assistance to school heads to ensure that the original architectural design of
the school buildings is maintained: Provided, however, That subject to the issuance of
permit from the NCCA, modification or alteration of the original architectural design of
Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings may be allowed in public elementary and
secondary schools where the exigency of constructing new school buildings is a priority in
view of the increase in student population and in anticipation of the implementation of
Republic Act No. 10533 or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”: Provided, further,
That the facade and/or other distinct features of the original Gabaldon and other heritage
school buildings shall, as much as possible, be preserved.

SEC.S. Appropriation. - The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the initial funding of which shall be
charged to the current year’s appropriation of the DepED. Thereafter, the amount necessary
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC.6. Penalties. - Any person who shall abet or cause the unauthorized
modification, alteration, destruction, demolition, and relocation of the Gabaldon and other
heritage school buildings shall be subject to a fine of not less than two hundred thousand
pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten (10) years, or both,
upon the discretion of the court, and shall likewise pay for the conservation of the structure:
Provided, That if the violation is committed by a juridical person, its license to operate shall
be revoked, and its president, manager, representative, director, agent, or employee shall
also be liable for the penalties provided herein: Provided, further, That if the offender is an
alien, the offender shall be placed under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration for
appropriate proceedings and shall be summarily deported after serving the applicable
sentence.


Heads of schools who shall fail to report the existence of or any structural damage to any
Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings in the school under their supervision shall be
held administratively liable for simple neglect of duty and suspended without pay for a
period of six (6) months.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the DepED and the NCCA shall, in consultation with the NHCP and
the NM, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act.

SEC. 8 Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly

SEC. 10, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 2

Approved,