Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) play a key role in an economy’s growth 
and stability. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the 
next generation of innovators. As such the importance of improving quality of instruction in these 
learning domains could not be overstated.  
In this regard, this measure aims to provide equitable access to quality education in the pure and 
applied Sciences, mathematics, and technology. This measure proposes to establish a specialized 
public high school across all provinces which do not have at least one (1) public math and science 
high school operating within their geographical boundaries.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
October 24, 2021
9:23 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
MANDATING 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 Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SEC. 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Equitable Access to Math and Science 
Education Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It 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 as a means 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 hand-in-hand with local government units 
(LGUs) to eliminate economic and geographical barriers that restrict the access of otherwise 
willing and qualified students to said education. 
SEC. 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 the purposes of this Act, the term public math and science high school shall refer to a school 
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. 
SEC. 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 school facilities or other idle government-owned 
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property: Provided, That these schools must be fully operational by Academic Year 2020-2021: 
Provided, further, That any utilization of idle government-owned assets shall follow pertinent 
procedures as prescribed by law: Provided, further, That schools which have been designated by 
the DepEd as fully compliant under this Act may start operations earlier than the prescribed 
deadline.  
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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 by the date of examination. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC 9. Appropriations. – The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (P 500,000,000.00) is 
hereby initially appropriated to implement the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount 
necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Implementing 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.  
 
SEC. 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.  
 


SEC. 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.  
 
SEC. 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,