Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No, 8943

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the prime duty of the State to give
priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.
It is also its solemn mandate to establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.

One of the educational institutions in the country that deserves assistance and
recognition from the State is Faith Academy.

Faith Academy, Inc., a private, non-stock, non-profit educational institution, has been
continuously in operation in the Philippines since its establishment in 1957. From its humble
beginnings of two classrooms with 47 students, it now has an average enrollment of over 525
students, composed of twenty-two nationalities. The three largest ethnic groups are Korean,
American and Filipino, The school offers a progressive Pre-K through Grade 12 international
education in a Christian environment, primarily for the children of missionaries working in
Southeast Asia Faith Academy is a day and boarding school. Approximately 20% of the high
school student body live in on-campus boarding homes provided by the school. Faith’s
greatest asset is its staff. All of the teaching staff serve as missionary volunteers. They come
to Faith through approved sending agencies and raise their own financial support to work
here.

Historically some “Educational Institutions of International Character” have been
created through executive authorization (Presidential Decree) like International School,
Manila (PD 732), Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (PD 2021), and Brent
International School (PD 2022). Others have been recognized through legislative action as in
the case of Cebu International School (Republic Act No. 9190), Stonyhurst Southville
International School of Batangas City (Republic Act No. 9493) and British School, Manila
(Republic Act No. 2147). Three other schools are currently in process, German European
School Manila, Inc. (HB 5856, SB 3293), Canadian American. Education Foundation Inc.
(HB 5857) and Everest Academy (HB 4512, SB 1413).

As part of the State’s policies on education, it is high time to accord Faith Academy
as an Educational Institution of International Character and grant it certain prerogatives
conducive to its growth. In this manner, the State shall remain true to its policy of


establishing and supporting a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant
to the needs of the people and society.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

{epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._ 8943

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT RECOGNIZING FAITH ACADEMY AS AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER AND PROVIDING
FOR MECHANISMS ON THE GRANT OF CERTAIN PREROGATIVES

CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH

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

SECTION 1. Faith Academy, operated by Faith Academy, Inc., is hereby declared and officially
recognized as an educational institution of international character authorized to operate
educational programs that primarily and principally adhere to universally accepted and
recognized educational policies.

SEC. 2. Faith Academy, herein referred to as the “Academy”, was established by religious groups
and mission boards and shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, herein referred to as the
“Board” elected in accordance with its corporate charter.

The Academy, having been established primarily for foreign missionary personnel and
their dependents and for other temporary residents, shall be covered by the exemptions provided
in Section 4 (2), Article XIV of the Constitution of the Philippines.

SEC. 3. To enable the Academy to continue carrying out its educational program, improve its
standard of instruction, and meet the special needs of the foreign temporary resident community
for quality education, it shall:

a) Accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its own
cligibility standards and rules for admission and grade placement;

b) Be managed and administered by a Head of School, who shall possess the qualifications
prescribed by the Board;

©) Be able to accept provisions and donations of every kind to carry out the purposes of the
‘Academy and be entitled to use properties, real or personal, so donated and to construct
and own buildings thereon exclusively for educational purposes;


Whenever necessary to carry out its objectives, allow the Christian Education Assistance
Foundation (CEAF), the owner of the Academy’s properties, the right to obtain leases on real
properties, acquire personal properties, tangible or intangible, or any interests in such
properties other than real, by purchase, lease, barter, donation, gift or otherwise, and dispose
of, mortgage or encumber them for the benefit of the Academy.

(@) Upon consultation with the Secretary of Education, determine its own basic education
curriculum, calendar of studies, and work schedule, and teach whatever language or
languages it may deem appropriate and determine the reasonable amount of fees and
assessments which shall be imposed upon its students and the compensation of its teachers,
consultants, employees and necessary personne! to maintain and conform to the Academy’s
standard of education;

(©) Maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar schools of
generally recognized standing;

(© Contract its own teaching and management personnel selected by the Academy’s
administration either locally or abroad, from the Philippines or other nationalities; such
foreign personnel being exempt from laws that impose nationality restrictions on control and
administration of educational institutions, except laws that have been or will be enacted for
the protection of employees: Provided, That such exemption shall not extend to their liability
from income taxes; and

(g) Be granted benefits and privileges under the law as a non-stock, non-profit educational
institution.

SEC. 4. Foreign scholars, trainees, participants, students, volunteers, fellows or professors
appointed, selected, hired, employed, contracted or otherwise by the Academy shall be allowed
entry as special non-immigrants under Section 47 (a) (2) of the “Philippine Immigration Act of
1940”, as amended, and as such shall be exempted from the payment of visa and immigration
fees: Provided, That such persons are holders of valid passports and are not otherwise
disqualified from.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Academy and the members of the
Board, shall formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so
declared shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,