Ze REPRESEN.

E-Filed KX
RECEIVED

EL DATE July 13, 2022

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _1946

Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MATH AND SCIENCE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Science and Technology are key drivers in the national economy and
crucial for development and progress. The Constitution expressly mandates the
State to give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and
their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and
services.

Aligned with the foregoing mandate of the Constitution, this bill seeks to
establish at least one (1) public math and science high school in each province.
These schools shall be devoted to teaching advanced curriculum focused on
science, mathematics, and technology subjects, for grade 7-12 qualified
students.

‘Students who graduate in the program are enjoined to enroll in a four or
five-year bachelor's degree in Science program at an accredited college or
university. Said graduate must enroll in a course-of-study in one of the following


fields: pure and applied sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, or
any other field deemed appropriate by regulators.

This bill aims to provide a more equitable access to quality education in
the pure and applied sciences, mathematics, and technology for all Filipinos to
nurture future generations of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and other
professionals who will serve the nation as catalysts for scientific, technological,
and industrial progress.

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

Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative /Tingog Sinirangan

. ACIDRE
ive, Tingog Sinirangan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 946.

Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MATH AND SCIENCE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Equitable
Access to Math and Science Education Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared a policy of the
State to provide equitable access to quality education in the pure and applied
sciences, mathematics, and technology for all Filipinos to nurture future
generations of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and other professionals
who will serve the nation as catalysts for scientific, technological, and industrial
progress.

Pursuant to this declaration, the State shall work together with local
government units (LGUs) to eliminate economic and geographical barriers that
restrict the access of otherwise willing and qualified students to said education.


Section 3. Coverage. — All provinces of the Republic of the Philippines
which do not have at least one (1) public math and science high school currently
operating within their respective geographical boundaries at the time this Act
takes effect shall be required to fulfill the establishment requirements
prescribed by Section 4 of this Act.

For purposes of this Act, the term public math and science high school
shall refer to a schoo! principally financed through national or local government
funds that implements an advanced curriculum focused on science,
mathematics, and technology subjects, for grade 7-12 students.

Section 4. Establishment of Schools. - All provinces covered by the
preceding Section of this Act are hereby mandated to work with the Department
of Education (DepEd) to establish at least one (1) public math and science high
school within their respective provincial capitals.

Schools established in compliance with this Act may be established
through the construction of new school facilities, the conversion and/or
reorganization of an existing school, or the renovation and re-opening of
currently non-operational schoo! facilities or other idle government-owned
property: Provided, these schools must be fully operational by the next
Academic Year following the effectivity of this Act: Provided, further. That any
utilization of idle government-owned assets shall follow pertinent procedures
as prescribed by law: Provided, finally. That schools which have been
designated by the DepEd as fully compliant under this Act may start operations
earlier than the prescribed deadline.

Section 5. School Operations. - Schools established in compliance
with this Act shall be operated by the DepEd, with the proper participation of
the applicable LGUs and other community shareholders as prescribed by law.
Said schools shall be funded in full under the budget of the DepEd and shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


Section 6. Admissions. — Schools established in compliance with this
Act shall accept applicants based on the results of a competitive entrance
examination. A student may be eligible to apply for admission to said school
only if he or she has established continuous residence within the establishing
province for at least one (1) year from the date of examination.

Section 7. Curriculum. — Schools established in compliance with this
Act shall implement a six-year integrated junior-senior high school curriculum
that focuses on advanced science, mathematics, and technology subjects
under the guidance of the DepEd and the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST). The revised curriculum of the Philippine Science High
School system for Grades 7-12 shall be used as a basis for the formulation of
‘said curriculum.

Section 8. Higher Education Bond. — A graduate of a school
established in compliance with this Act shall be required to enroll in a four or
five-year bachelor's degree in Science program at an accredited college or
university. Said graduate must enroll in a course-of-study in one of the following
fields: pure and applied sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, or
any other field deemed appropriate by the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED). A graduate who shifts or transfers to a course in any unrelated field
prior to completion of the degree program shall pay a fine equivalent to the total
full cost incurred by the government in subsidizing the secondary education
program of said graduate, as calculated by the DepEd. Any fine collected under
the terms of this provision shall be allocated to any government program that
promotes the advancement of science, mathematics, and technological
education in the Philippines.

Section 9. Appropriations. - The amount of One Hundred Million
pesos (Php100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation
of this Act which shall be incorporated in the Annual Budget of the DepEd.


Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the implementation of the
Program as determined by the Executive Committee of the DepEd shall be
incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 10. /mplementing Agencies. - The DepEd, in coordination
with the DOST and the CHED, shall be responsible for implementing the
provisions of this Act. Within (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
implementing agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations as may be necessary to ensure the efficient and effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 11. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be
declared unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions of this Act shall continue to
be in effect and subsisting.

Section 12. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of other laws, decrees,
executive orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette and/or in at least two (2) national

newspapers in general circulation.

Approved,