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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7188

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, to include private schools as beneficiaries of the Special Education Fund
(SEF). The SEF is an earmarked fund from the 1% additional tax on real property. It is
automatically released to local school boards for operation and maintenance of public
schools, construction and repair of school buildings, purchase of equipment, books and
periodicals, educational research, and sports development, as determined and approved by
the Local School Board. The amendment specifically provides for use of fund for Teacher-
Student Development Programs, which can be utilized for trainings, workshops, and further
studies of private school teachers and students.

Public schools enjoy financial support from the national government and the local
government units. The school teachers are better supported and trained. In contrast, private
schools, often do not have the budget to provide further training to their staff or have to
resort to tuition fee increases to provide benefits or support. Lack of funding often results in



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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House BILL No._7188
Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

“AN ACT PROVIDING SUPPORT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGH THE SPECIAL
EDUCATION FUND FOR TEACHER-STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Teacher-Student Development
Program Fund for Private Schools”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to 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.

SEC. 3. Section 99 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended is
hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal
‘school board shall:

(@) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education,
Culture, and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation
and maintenance of public schools AND THE ANNUAL SUPPLEMENTARY
BUDGET FOR TEACHER-STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN PRIVATE
SCHOOLS within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the
supplementary local cost of meeting such needs, which shall be reflected in the form
of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the
special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other
sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;

(b) xx

SEC. 4. Section 272 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended is
hereby amended to read as follows:


“SEC. 272. Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax - The
proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the
Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school
boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally
between the provincial and municipal school boards: Provided, however, That, the
proceeds shall be allocated for the operation and maintenance of public schools,
construction and repair of school buildings, facilities and equipment, educational
research, purchase of books and periodicals, [and] sports development, AND
TEACHER-STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, TRAININGS,
AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION as determined and
approved by the Local School Board.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, or issuances,
or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afer its publication in the
Official Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,