Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2808

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, Ilocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The citizens’ access to quality education at all levels is guaranteed under the
1987 Philippine Constitution (Section 1, Article XIV), The fundamental charter,
furthermore, gives priority to science and technology education, training and services
(Sec. 10, Art. XIV).

The limitation therefore imposed by Republic Act No. 8496, as amended by
Republic Act No. 9036 (particularly Sections 2 and 5 thereof), on the establishment of
Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus to only one per administrative region
of the country, seemingly goes against the grain of the constitutional policy.

This bill seeks to expand the PSHS System by giving every region an equal
opportunity to benefit from the establishment of the PSHS System. This bill
authorizes the establishment of not more than two (2) PSHS campuses, inclusive of
the existing PSHS campuses, in each of the administrative regions of the country
outside NCR where PSHS-Main Campus is located. The establishment of PSHS
campuses shall be in accordance with the criteria set by the PSHS System Board of
Trustees. It is believed that provinces deserve to have a PSHS campus of their own so
that their youth would have access to free and quality public science education.

-

The House of Representatives, in the Nineteenth (19th) Congress, approved
this measure on the third reading as House Bill No. 9726 on 7 February 2024, with
two hundred fifteen (215) voting in favor, none against, and no abstentions.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS

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RECEIVED 2



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2808,

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1" District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, 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 "Expanded
Philippine Science High School System Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation and their utilization; and to science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education, training and services. It shall support
appropriate, self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application
to the country's productive systems and national life. To achieve these, the State hereby
establishes a Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System that will assume a
leadership role in secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) Education.

The State shall support the admission process of the PSHS System by
establishing test centers in all regions nationwide, to enhance equitable admissions of
and access to deserving students.

The State shall also ensure that every region is given equal opportunity to
benefit from the establishment of the PSHS System. Towards this end, not more than
two (2) PSHS campuses inclusive of the existing PSHS campuses shall be established
in each of the administrative regions of the country outside NCR where PSHS-Main
Campus is located. The establishment of PSHS campuses shall be in accordance with
the criteria set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees: Provided, That only one (1)
PSHS campus shall be established per province: Provided, further, That the PSHS
System Board of Trustees may consider the establishment of more than two (2) PSHS
campuses per region fifteen (15) years after the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall
pursue the following objectives:


(a) Establish PSHS campuses that offer secondary courses with special
emphasis on STEM to students with high aptitude or who are gifted in
science and mathematics on a free scholarship basis;

(b) Establish PSHS campuses that are strategically accessible to the public;

(c) Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of schools
under the PSHS System;

(a) Rationalize the establishment of PSHS campuses as defined in this Act;

(c) Integrate existing and future campuses into one system of governance and
management;

(f) Ensure that students with high aptitude or gifted in science and mathematics
are given equal scholarship opportunities to enroll in the PSHS System;

(g) Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate
courses to conduct researches, and prepare scholars for careers in Science
and Technology (S & T) and become leaders in the field of STEM;

(h) Establish international collaboration for the holistic development of the
STEM students, staff and leaders; and

(i) Support scholars and teachers’ participation in local and international
competition, academic symposia, research projects, and other scholarly
activities, subject to availability of funds and government accounting and
audit regulations.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Administrative regions refer to the administrative regions where the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds regional offices;

(b) Careers in § & T refer to pursuit of professions in the fields of basic and
applied sciences, such as STEM education and such other disciplines
approved by the PSHS System Board of Trustees created in this Act;

(c) Deserving students refer to those who qualify for admission through the
PSHS National Competitive Examination, and/or similar other admission
processes approved by the PSHS System Board of Trustees such as Lateral
‘Admission Qualifying Examination, and Requirement for Admission,
Criteria, and Evaluation;

(d) Philippine Science High School or PSHS refers to a school under the
supervision of the PSHS System offering secondary education on
scholarship basis to students with high aptitude or are gifted in science and
mathematics using a specially designed curriculum focusing on STEM;

(c) Philippine Science High School System or PSHS System refers to the
PSHS campuses preparing students with high aptitude in the STEM
education to become leaders or innovators;

() Scholarship refers to the awards or grants for secondary education given by
the PSHS to deserving students;

(g) Term of office refers to the period fixed by this Act within which a public
official may hold office; and

(h) Tenure of office refers to the period within which a public official actually
held office within a prescribed term.



SEC. 5. PSHS Campuses. The PSHS System shall be composed of the existing
PSHS campuses herein mentioned and future campuses which shall be established
under this Act. The existing 16 campuses shall be known as follows:

(1) Philippine Science High School - Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City;

(2) Philippine Science High School Davao Region Campus in Davao City,
formerly PSHS - Southern Mindanao Campus;

(3) Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in Iloilo City,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus;

(4) Philippine Science High School - Eastem Visayas Campus in Leyte,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus;

(5) Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva
Vizcaya, formerly PSHS - Cagayan Valley Campus;

(6) Philippine Science High School - Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao del
Norte, formerly PSHS - Central Mindanao Campus;

(7) Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines Sur,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus;

(8) Philippine Science High School locos Region Campus in Ilocos Sur,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus;

(9) Philippine Science High School Central Visayas Campus in Cebu, formerly,
Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus;

(10) Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Clark
Freeport Zone, formerly Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon
Campus;

(11) Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region
Campus in Baguio City, formerly Philippine Science High School
Cordillera Administrative Region Campus;

(12) Philippine Science High School SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in
Koronadal City, formerly Philippine Science High School -
SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus;

(13) Philippine Science High School Caraga Region Campus in Butuan City,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Caraga Region Campus;

(14) Philippine Science High School CALABARZON Region Campus in
Batangas City, formerly Philippine Science High School CALABARZON
Region Campus;

(15) Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in
Romblon, formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region
Campus; and

(16) Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus
in Dipolog City, formerly Philippine Science High School Zamboanga
Peninsula Region Campus.

In the establishment of future PSHS campuses, the PSHS System Board of
Trustees may consider the following locations: First District of Aklan; Daraga, Albay;
Ubay, Bohol; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur; Third District,
Cagayan; General Santos City, South Cotabato and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon:
Provided, That there shall be established two (2) PSHS campuses per region and one (1)
campus per province in accordance with the criteria set forth by the PSHS System
Board of Trustees.


SEC. 6. Restriction on the Conversion of High Schools into a Philippine
Science High School System. In addition to the criteria set by the PSHS System Board
of Trustees in the establishment and operation of the PSHS System, the conversion and
inclusion of existing high schools into the PSHS system shall not be allowed.

SEC. 7. Overall Coordinating Authority. - The PSHS System shall be under
the administrative supervision of the DOST. The PSHS System Board of Trustees shall
be the governing board of all the PSHS campuses. The PSHS System Board of Trustees
shall formulate the staffing patter of the PSHS System in coordination with the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission
(CSC) rules and regulations.

SEC. 8. PSHS Board of Trustees. There shall be created a Board of Trustees
composed of the following members:

(a) Secretary of Science and Technology, as ex officio Chairperson;

(b) Secretary of Education, as ex officio Vice Chairperson;

(c) President of the University of the Philippines;

(d) Executive Director (ED) of PSHS;

(e) Director of Science Education Institute;

(f) President of the PSHS National Alumni Association;

(g) Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate
and the House of Representatives, as ex officio members;

(h) One (1) representative each from the private sector, representing higher
education, child development professionals or practitioners, industry,
agriculture, and new emerging technologies. The private sector
representatives shall be appointed by the PSHS System Board of Trustees
upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The private
sector representatives shall serve a tenure of four (4) years.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the PSHS System Board of Trustees. -
The PSHS System Board of Trustees shall exercise the following powers:

(a) Ensure that the provisions of the laws pertaining to the creation and
operation of the PSHS System are implemented;

(b) Approve policies and guidelines necessary in the establishment and
operation of science high schools under the PSHS System in order to
maintain the quality and uniform educational standard in all PSHS
campuses;

(c) Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director;

(4) Formulate policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under
the PSHS System;

(e) Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students;

(f) Approve the grant or termination of PSHS scholarships including stipend
and allowances for students;

(g) Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS
campuses;

(h) Approve the appointments of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive
Director, and Campus Director;


(i) Approve the appointment, promotion, retention, renewal, rewards and

incentives for faculty and non-teaching positions, fix their compensation

and other conditions of employment, and remove them for cause after
proper investigation and hearing;

Approve the extension of services of faculty members over sixty-five (65)

to seventy (70) years of age and allow them to enjoy the rights and benefits

under Republic Act (RA) 8439, as amended by RA 11312, otherwise known
as "Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science
and Technology Personnel in the Government";

(k) Draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and
staff, and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, create positions, fix, and
adjust the salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees,
and determine the minimum hours of service of faculty and such other terms
and conditions of employment as it may deem proper;

(1) Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements, donations,
contributions, bequests, gifts, and formulate policies for the administration
thereof in accordance with applicable internal revenue laws;

(m) Approve the use of income generated by the PSHS System in the pursuit of
its functions, and donations received in trust by individual campuses,
according to the purpose of the donor and intention of the donation. In cases
where income or donation received is not intended for a particular campus,
the PSHS System Board of Trustees shall likewise appropriate the same for
the benefit of the System or any part thereof;

(n) Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty, and staff;

(0) Approve partnership of PSHS System with local and international
institutions;

(p) Approve policies and guidelines to rationalize the establishment and
operation of a campus under the System, for its assessment, evaluation and
approval including the naming or renaming of existing or future PSHS
Campuses;

(q) Approve the criteria in the search for Executive Director, Deputy Executive
Directors and Campus Directors, and the selection of teaching and
non-teaching personnel;

(0) Exercise the discretion to create and reorganize the composition of the
Executive Committee or other committees; and

(s) Approve the organizational and governance structure of the PSHS System
recommended by the Executive Director.

G

SEC. 10. Executive Director. There shall be an Executive Director for the
PSHS System, who shall be appointed by the PSHS System Board of Trustees and shall
have a rank of an Executive Director V, and a salary grade 30. The Executive Director
shall have a tenure of five (5) years renewable for another term, with a maximum of
three (3) terms.

The Executive Director shall exercise academic and administrative supervision
within the PSHS System and shall be the Chief Executive Officer and primary
implementor of policies and guidelines set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees.

SEC. 11. Duties and Functions of the Executive Director. The Executive
Director shall perform the following:


(a) Coordinate core curriculum planning activities and research-based
development to be implemented by various campuses;

(6) Conduct a continuing evaluation of the implementation of the approved
curriculum;

(©) Oversee research projects of PSHS campuses which shall include
monitoring, coordinating and evaluating research programs of campuses;

(@) Manage the IP registration, prototype development and commercialization
or adoption of research outputs of scholars and students;

(e) Provide legal and technical support to members of the PSHS System.
Towards this end, the Office of the Executive Director shall be provided
with legal and technical staff who shall provide legal, technical and
administrative services to PSHS campuses;

(®) Establish strategic linkages, and coordinate student and faculty exchange
programs with foreign and local institutions to upgrade the level of expertise
of both faculty and students;

() Facilitate networking among the campuses of the PSHS System with other
institutions in terms of sharing of resources, expertise, and equipment;

(h) Oversee the development of a system-wide outreach program to upgrade the
teaching of STEM and provide support within the capabilities and resources
of various science high school campuses;

(i) Recommend to the PSHS System Board of Trustees the approval of the
organizational and governance structure of the PSHS System;

() Coordinate the implementation of PSHS System Board of Trustees
approved admission process, criteria and standards; and

(k) Provide secretariat services to the PSHS System Board of Trustees.

The Executive Director shall be provided with the necessary staff for the
efficient and effective implementation of the above functions.

In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the office of the Executive
Director shall be provided with additional plantilla positions to be determined by the
Executive Director and approved by the PSHS System Board of Trustees.

SEC. 12. Deputy Executive Directors. — There shall be three (3) Deputy
Executive Director positions with the rank of Deputy Executive Director IV and
entitled to salary grade 28. They shall be appointed by the PSHS System Board of
Trustees on the basis of a search process and shall serve for a tenure of five (5) years,
renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms.

SEC. 13. Campus Director. — There shall be a Campus Director for each
PSHS campus in the region to be appointed by the PSHS System Board of Trustees,
with the rank of Director III and with a salary grade 27. The Campus Director shall
serve a tenure of five (5) years, renewable for another term with a maximum of three (3)
terms on the basis ofa search process. The Campus Director shall be the administrative
and academic head of a campus and will be responsible for its smooth operations. The
Campus Director may constitute a consultative body which may act as a citizen's arm
to interpret the educational needs of the service area of the campus.


SEC. 14. Executive Committee. — There shall be an Executive Committee
(Execom) which is collegial in nature in the PSHS System composed of the Executive
Director, as ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Executive Director, as ex officio
member, and the Campus Directors as members.

SEC. 15. Faculty Members Qualification. — Faculty members of the PSHS
System shall be exempt from any civil service examination or regulation as a requisite
for appointment. They shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be
established by the Board of Trustees which shall include, if necessary and practicable,
screening and competitive examination.

SEC. 16. Curriculum. — There shall be a PSHS System STEM curriculum
from Grades 7 to 10, and Grades 11 to 12, which shall be recognized as Junior High
School, and Senior High School levels, respectively.

SEC. 17. Duty and Tax Exemptions. — All grants, bequests, endowments,
gifts, donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly and exclusively
for educational purposes by the PSHS System, shall be exempt from donor’s tax and the
same shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of
computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the
National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

The importation of scientific and research equipment for educational purposes
made by the PSHS System, upon certification by the DOST, shall be exempt from
customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA 10863, otherwise known as the
“Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).”

SEC. 18. Trust Fund. ~ Income generated from school fees collected by the
PSHS campuses shall be reported and deposited to an authorized government
depository bank as a trust fund of the PSHS System to be used for priority programs and
activities.

SEC. 19. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the PSHS System Board of Trustees shall formulate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 21. Transitory Provision. — Upon approval of this law, the following
incumbent key officials of the PSHS System shall acquire a new term of office, as
follows: (a) Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, subject to meritorious
performance and approval of the PSHS System Board of Trustees, are eligible to
assume a maximum of three (3) terms; and (b) Campus Directors, subject to
meritorious performance and approval of the PSHS System Board of Trustees, are
eligible to assume a maximum of three (3) terms.

Further, the PSHS System Board of Trustees thru the Executive Committee
shall submit a reclassification, staffing modification and/or position classification or
qualification plan to upgrade the salary grades of its personnel, particularly of its


faculty with specialized science teacher status, subject to the existing policies of the
Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission rules and
regulations.

SEC. 22. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. — RA 3661, otherwise known as the “Philippine
Science High School”, RA Act 8496, otherwise known as the “Philippine Science High
School (PSHS) System Act of 1997", and RA 9036 amending RA 8496 are hereby
repealed. All laws, proclamations, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 24. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,