TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
 
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. ______
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 
NORTHERN ILOILO DIVISION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Constitution affirms the role of the State to safeguard and 
advance every citizen’s entitlement to quality education and to ensure that this 
right is available from the early stages through to the highest level of learning. 
Northern Iloilo is composed of geographically diverse and densely 
populated municipalities with a significant number of public elementary and 
secondary schools, many of which are located in coastal, upland, and island 
barangays. Currently, these schools fall under the jurisdiction of the 
Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Iloilo, which covers the entire 
province except Iloilo City. The vast coverage of the current division poses a 
challenge resulting in administrative congestion, slowed routing support, 
logistical challenges, and weakened supervisory oversight in remote, distant 
schools.  
The establishment of the DepEd Northern Iloilo Division will shift the 
bureaucratic center of management and service delivery much nearer to 
learners, teachers, and communities. This is necessary to:  
1. Bring the education bureaucracy closer to schools, teachers, and
learners in the area;
2. Ensure faster and more responsive delivery of basic education programs
and services;
3. Strengthen school-based management, technical support at the local
level, and monitoring capabilities of local school governance groups;
4. Facilitate better planning, supervision, and monitoring of island and
remote schools; and
August 26, 2025
1:10 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
 
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. ______
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 
NORTHERN ILOILO DIVISION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 
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 “DepEd Northern 
Iloilo Division Act of 2025.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote accessible, efficient, and equitable education governance, to 
strengthen the delivery of basic education services at the local level, and to 
decentralize administrative functions in order to improve responsiveness and 
reduce congestion in existing Department of Education (DepEd) divisions. 
SEC. 3. Creation of the Department of Education Northern Iloilo Division. 
– There is hereby created a separate and independent Department of
Education Northern Iloilo Division, under the administrative supervision of the
DepEd Regional Office VI (Western Visayas).
SEC. 4. Jurisdiction and Coverage. – The DepEd Northern Iloilo Division 
shall have jurisdiction over the following municipalities: Ajuy, Balasan, 
Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San 
Dionisio, Sara, San Rafael. Additional municipalities may be included as 
determined by the DepEd after due consultation. 
SEC. 5. Organizational Structure. – The new division shall be headed by a 
School Division Superintendent, assisted by one (1) Assistant Schools Division 
Superintendent. It shall likewise be composed of education supervisors, section 
heads, program specialists, field supervisors, and appropriate administrative 
and support personnel as may be determined by the Department of Education 
in accordance with plantilla standards and regional requirements. 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. – The DepEd Northern Iloilo Division shall: 
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(a) Supervise the operation of public elementary and secondary schools 
within its jurisdiction;  
 
(b) Implement policies, plans, and programs of the Department;  
 
(c) 
Provide technical assistance to schools and learning centers;  
 
(d) Oversee personnel management, budgeting, procurement, and 
monitoring; and  
 
(e) Engage in local government units, civil society organizations, and 
community stakeholders in school improvement initiatives. 
 
SEC. 7. Transition and Implementation. – Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall issue the necessary 
orders for the creation of the new division. An interim transition team shall be 
constituted 
to 
manage 
personnel 
reassignment 
and 
hiring, 
office 
establishment, logistics, and the finalization of school mapping and 
jurisdictional delineation. 
 
SEC. 8. Funding and Appropriations. – The initial funding necessary for the 
operation of the new division shall be charged against the current budget of the 
Department of Education. Thereafter, its operational requirements shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Local Government Units 
(LGUs) may likewise extend counterpart support. 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. –  If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC, 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved.