Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
DAVAO DEL SUR TO BE KNOWN AS THE DAVAO DEL SUR HIGH SCHOOL 
FOR THE ARTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Art is an important pillar in nation building.  Through its different forms, the arts provide 
continuous development of the roles of talented and passionate individuals in the preservation 
and promotion of Filipino artistic and cultural traditions.  According to the Chairman of the 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Professor Felipe de Leon Jr., the 
development of art allows people to express themselves and to strengthen their cultural energy, 
a motivation to work and engage meaningfully in social interactions.  
Filipinos are born natural artists. The art reflects the heart of our nation and frames the character 
of our people.  It is high time for the national government to give due importance to the arts as 
they serve as an integral part of our youth’s development and cultural awareness.  Specifically, 
in order to cultivate the skills of our young artists and leaders in the preservation of their 
heritage and identity through arts and culture education, this bill mandates the establishment 
of the Davao Del Sur High School for Culture and the Arts.  The School shall be administered 
by the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the NCCA and the Cultural 
Center of the Philippines (CCP).  
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 
August 12, 2021
6:41 pm
9963


Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
DAVAO DEL SUR TO BE KNOWN AS THE DAVAO DEL SUR HIGH SCHOOL 
FOR THE ARTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
the sustained development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skills in culture and the arts 
shall be encouraged and honed through education and specialized training programs.  Toward 
this end, the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated 
system of education and training that will cater to the development of artistic talent and cultural 
aptitude of the Filipino of the Filipino youth as well as support and promote the growth of 
young artists nationwide.   
SEC. 2. Establishment. – There is hereby established a high school for the arts in the Province 
of Davao Del Sur to be known as the “Davao Del Sur High School for the Arts,” hereinafter 
referred to as the “School”.  
The School shall be administered and supervised by the Department of Education 
(DepEd), in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and 
the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).   
SEC. 3. Mandate. – The School shall implement a general secondary curriculum prescribed by 
Republic Act No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”, with special focus 
on the arts that shall aid in recognizing early the talent and exceptional giftedness of young 
children, and thereby ensuring the nurturance of artists of excellence and the preservation and 
promotion of Filipino heritage.  
9963


SEC. 4. Advisory Board. – The School shall have an Advisory Board, composed of the 
following members:  
a. the Regional Director of the DepEd in Region XI as Chairperson; 
b. the School Director as Vice-Chairperson;  
c. a representative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA);  
d. a representative of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP);  
e. the Governor of the Province of Davao Del Sur; 
f. the Schools Division Superintendent of the Schools Division of Davao Del Sur; 
g. a representative of the members of the school faculty; 
h. four (4) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves 
in their professions or fields of specialization, specifically music, theatre, dance, visual 
arts, performance arts and the like, to be appointed by the Chairperson upon the 
recommendation of the Advisory Board;  
 
The faculty representatives shall serve for a term of two (2) years to be chosen in accordance 
with the rules and qualification set by the faculty members of the School. 
 
The four (4) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of three (3) years to be selected by the 
Board from a list of at least seven (7) qualified nominees from Region XI.  The private sector 
representatives may be reappointed.  
 
A Search Committee to be constituted by the School Director with the approval of the 
Chairperson of the Advisory Board shall be created to select the nominees based on the normal 
standards and qualifications for the position.    
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Advisory Board. – To accomplish the mandate of the 
School, the Advisory Board shall advise the School Director on the following:  
a. Formulation of policies, rules and regulations as may be necessary for the 
administration of the School;  
b. Preparation of school budget and appropriation of all sums received as may be specified 
by law for the support of the School;  
c. Receiving in trust of legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all 
kinds, and administration of the same for the benefit of the School, subject to 
limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any;  
d. Fixing of the site and location of the School, acquire property on his behalf, and cause 
the construction or repair of its buildings, equipment and other facilities when 
necessary;  
e. Approval of the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn by the 
Offices of the Deputy Directors for Administration and Academic Affairs, hereby 
created under Section 7 of this Act;  
f. Establishment of criteria for the selection, admission and graduation of students which 
shall include a competitive examination, and approval of the issuance of certificates or 
diplomas to successful candidates for graduation;  
g. Development of strategies to increase the enrollment rate and preparation of purposive 
campaigns to enhance the competence of the School and its students;  
h. Approval of the grant of stipend and such other allowances for qualified and deserving 
students;  
i. Formulation of qualification standards for the hiring, promotion, retention, or renewal 
of appointment, and the grounds for removal of faculty members, lecturers, other 
officials and employees of the School;  
j. Granting the members of the faculty and staff leaves of absence subject to applicable 
rules and regulations, and provisions of fellowship grants when available;  


k. Development of consortia and other economic linkages with local government units 
(LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and foreign, in the 
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the School;  
l. Adoption of modern communications technology and other innovative modes of 
knowledge and information exchange;  
m. Importation of duty-free books and/or publications, upon certification by the DepEd 
that such imported books and/or publications are for economic, technical, vocational, 
scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended; and  
n. Delegation of any of the powers and duties of the School Director to other officials of 
the School as may be deemed appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the 
affairs of the School.  
SEC. 6. Meetings. – The Advisory Board shall convene at least once every quarter.  However, 
the Chairperson of the Board, upon issuance of a written notice three (3) days prior to schedule, 
may call a maximum of two (2) meetings in a quarter whenever necessary.  
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office at the time 
of the meeting; Provided, That the Chairperson of the Board and the School Director shall be 
among those present in the meeting.  
In the absence of the Chairperson of the Board, a duly authorized representative may attend 
with all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member; Provided, That during such 
meeting, the School Director, as Vice-Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer.  
The members of the Advisory Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance to the 
meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by the DepEd 
Regional Director, in case of the other Board Members, and by the appropriate DepEd official, 
in case of the Chairperson of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.    
SEC. 7. School Director. – There shall be a School Director who shall serve as the chief 
academic officer, head of the school faculty and the chief executive officer of the School.  The 
functions, powers and duties, in addition to those specifically described in this Act, shall be 
those usually pertaining to the office of the principal of any high school in the Philippine 
education system, and those which are related or necessary to the School Director’s functions.  
The School Director shall coordinate the implementation of policies and guidelines with the 
Advisory Board, and shall articulate to the Board all concerns of the School.  The School 
Director shall be appointed by the DepEd Regional Director, subject to the guidelines and 
qualifications set forth in the implementing rules and regulations, upon recommendation of a 
duly constituted Search Committee.  
A Search Committee shall be constituted by the DepEd Regional Director in consultation with 
the representatives of the NCCA, the CCP, and the Provincial Governor of Davao Del Sur to 
select the School Director.  It shall be formed immediately upon the approval of the 
implementing rules and regulations mandated Section 20 of this Act, and shall reconvene again 
within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of the School Director.  
In case of vacancy in the Office of the School Director by reason of death, compulsory 
retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity to perform functions of the office, the 
DepEd Regional Director shall designate and officer-in-charge of the School within one (1) 


month from the date of vacancy, pending the selection and appointment of a new School 
Director.  
The duly appointed successor shall have a fresh term of five (5) years and shall be eligible for 
reappointment.  
The salary of the School Director shall be in accordance with the Revised Compensation and 
Position Classification System, and shall be comparable to that being received by any principal 
of a public high school.  
The School Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director for Student and Academic Affairs 
and a Deputy Director for Administration, who shall both be appointed by the DepEd Regional 
Director from a list of nominees to be submitted by the School Director.  The salaries of the 
Deputy Directors shall likewise be in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position 
Classification System, and shall also be comparable to that being received by officers of the 
same level of similar educational institutions.  
 SEC. 8. Deputy Director for Student and Academic Affairs. – There shall be a Deputy Director 
for Student and Academic Affairs and shall have the power to review and recommend the 
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the School, subject to the approval of the School 
Director.  The Director for Student and Academic Affairs shall likewise have disciplinary 
power over students of the School, and shall formulate academic policies and rules and 
regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the School Director.  
The Director for Student and Academic Affairs shall work in consultation with the school 
department heads and other ranking faculty members in developing the curricular offerings and 
rules of discipline.  
SEC. 9. Deputy Director for Administration. – There shall be a Deputy Director for 
Administration who shall assist the School Director and the Advisory Board on policies 
governing the administration, financial management and development planning of the School.  
SEC. 10. Admissions Council. – There shall be and Admissions Council consisting of the 
School Director, the Deputy Directors for Student and Academic Affairs and for 
Administration, the heads of each faculty department, and such other ranking faculty member 
or official of the School as may be determined by the School Director.  The Council shall have 
the power to screen and select the students to be admitted to the School, and to select the 
students who shall be recipients of stipends and other allowances, in accordance with existing 
policies and guidelines.  
The Admissions Council shall propose to the Advisory Board financial assistance schemes and 
other affirmative programs to assist underprivileged students who qualify for admissions to the 
school.  
No students shall be denied admission to the School by reason of gender, religion, cultural or 
community affiliation, or ethnic origin.  
SEC. 11. Position Structure and Staffing Patterns. – The position structure and staffing pattern 
of the School shall be prescribed by the DepEd upon the recommendation of the School 
Director, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management, based on 
existing rules and regulations.  


SEC. 12. Civil Service Coverage. – Except for visiting professors and other arts instructors 
engaged by the School, all faculty members and personnel of the School shall be covered by 
all civil service rules and regulations.  
SEC. 13. Faculty. – No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation, 
ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment 
of faculty members of the School; Provided, That the appointment of faculty shall be subject 
to the guidelines and qualification standards set by the School Director upon the 
recommendation of the Advisory Board; Provided further, That no member of the faculty shall 
teach for or against any particular church or religious sector.   
SEC. 14. School Fund. – All government appropriations for and other income generated by the 
School, as well as all legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions and other 
similar transfers of real and personal properties of all kinds received by the School, shall 
constitute the School Fund.  The School Funds shall be expended or used by or with authority 
from the School Director upon the recommendation of the Advisory Board.  
If, for reasons beyond its control, the School shall not be able to pursue any project for which 
the funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program of expenditures, 
the School Director, upon the recommendation of the Advisory Board, may authorize use of 
said funds for any other reasonable purpose which, in his/her discretion, may be necessary and 
urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the School.  
SEC. 15. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and the Like. – Upon the 
recommendation of the Advisory Board, the School Director may solicit, negotiate with, and 
receive in trust form any public or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, 
grants, endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or 
personal properties of all kinds in favor of and for the benefit of the School; Provided, That the 
School Director shall, upon recommendation by the Advisory Board and in accordance with 
pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations, prescribe the measures necessary 
for the proper use, maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments, 
contributions or transfers and the compliance of terms and conditions therewith, if any.  
SEC. 16. Appropriations. – The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the 
Department’s programs the operationalization of the Davao Del Sur School for the Arts, the 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
The LGUs concerned may likewise provide financial assistance to the School.  
SEC. 17. Development Plan, Organizational Structure. – Within the period of one hundred 
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, and the approval of its implementing rules and 
regulations, the School shall accomplish the following:  
a. Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program budget 
to the DepEd, for subsequent recommendation to the DBM; and  
b. Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure, including the 
appointment of the school officials, subject to the qualifications set forth in this Act.  
SEC. 18. Filing of Report. – On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second month after the 
opening of the regular classes each year, the School Director shall file with the Office of the 
President of the Philippines, through the Secretary of DepEd, and with both houses of 
Congress, a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs of the School.  


SEC. 19. Suppletory Application. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 9155, otherwise known 
as the “Governance of the Basic Education Act of 2001” shall be made an integral part of this 
Act, and shall serve as part of the governing charter of the School.  
SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred twenty (120) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the NCCA and CCP, shall issue the 
rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.  
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this shall be held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect, 
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 23. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
Approved,