NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session 
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i? j'.
24 NOV -5 P12 '46
SENATE
S. NO. 286G
Introduced by Senator Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 1963, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) was established, by virtue 
of Republic Act No. 3661, to uplift the quality of science and technology education in 
the country and to meet the growing demand for scientists, technology professionals, 
engineers, and mathematicians. The PSHS System Law, passed in 1998 through 
Republic Act 8496, as amended by Republic Act 9036, aimed to integrate all existing 
PSHS campuses under a unified system of governance and to establish only one (1) 
PSHS campus in each administrative region. However, this restricted the growth and 
reach of the PSHS System, limiting its ability to democratize education further and to 
provide deserving Filipino students with the opportunity to benefit from the PSHS 
education system. As of 2024, the PSHS System, with its 16 campuses across all 
regions of the Philippines, has produced over 27,000 graduates. Many of these alumni 
now hold leadership positions and have gained both national and international 
prominence in various science and technology fields, solidifying PSHS as the country's 
premier science high school, realizing its vision despite numerous challenges along 
the way.
Societies and economies have shifted toward a post-industrial era that placed 
greater emphasis on innovation, invention, and technology as sources of growth and 
competitive advantage. The importance of innovation and human capital development 
as primary economic drivers has grown exponentially with the advent of the computer 
age and the "Knowledge Economy."
For the Philippines to leverage science, technology, and innovation as 
economic drivers, it must produce a sufficient number of world-class scientists and 
R&D professionals who will lead the country's socio-economic transformation. An 
expanded PSHS System will help fulfill these goals, as more than 97% of its graduates 
pursue science-related undergraduate courses in universities.


This bill seeks to strengthen the governance and management of the PSHS 
System by expanding its scope and operations across different regions of the 
Philippines and allowing for the establishment of more than one (1) campus per region, 
in accordance with the guidelines and criteria set by its Board of Trustees.
The expansion of the PSHS System will provide our youth with the opportunity 
to access quality and world class STEM education that is at par with international 
standards.
Through this bill, the expanded PSHS System will therefore fulfill its vision of 
producing globally competitive STEM leaders and practitioners equipped with 21st- 
century skills and imbued with the core values of Integrity, Excellence, and Service to 
Nation. These scholars will form a critical mass of scientists, mathematicians, 
engineers, and researchers greatly contributing to our nation’s progress and 
development.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
IS “TOL” N. TOLENTINO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session 
}
24 NOV -5 P12 '46
SENATE
S. NO. 2866
Introduced by Senator Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
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SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Philippine
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Science High School (PSHS) System Act.”
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — “The State shall give priority to Research and
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Development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to Science, Technology,
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Engineering and Mathematics education, training and services. It shall support
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appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their
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application to the country’s productive systems and national life. To achieve these, the
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State hereby establishes a PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in
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secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education."
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The State shall support the admission process of the PSHS System by
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establishing test centers all over the regions, to enhance equitable admissions and
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access for deserving students.
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The State shall also ensure that every region is given equal opportunity to
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benefit from the establishment of the PSHS System. Towards this end, not more than
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two (2) PSHS campuses inclusive of the existing PSHS Campuses shall be
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established in each of the administrative regions of the country outside NCR where
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PSHS-Main Campus is located. Provided that, ail establishment of PSHS Campuses
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shall be in accordance with the criteria as set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees.
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Provided further, only one (1) PSHS Campus shall be established per province. After
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15 years of implementation of this law, the PSHS (BOT) may consider establishment
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of more than two (2) PSHS campuses per region.
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SEC. 3. Objectives. — In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall
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pursue the following objectives;


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a) Establish a PSHS Campus that offers on a free scholarship basis a 
secondary course with special emphasis on Science and Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics to students with high aptitude or gifted in 
science and mathematics:
b) Establish campuses that are strategically accessible to the public;
c) Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of 
schools under the PSHS system;
d) Operationalize the establishment of PSHS campuses as defined in this 
Act;
e) Integrate existing and future campuses into one system of governance 
and management that may be established by this law;
f) Ensure that students with high aptitude or gifted in science and 
mathematics are given equal scholarship opportunities to enroll in the 
Philippine Science High School System;
g) Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue 
undergraduate courses to conduct researches and prepare scholars for 
career in Science and Technology (S&T) to become leaders in the field 
of STEM;
h) Establish international collaboration for holistic development of its 
student, staff and leaders: and
i) Support scholar’s and teachers’ participation in local and international 
competition, academic symposia, research projects, and similar other 
scholarly activities necessary for the attainment of its objective, subject 
to availability of funds and usual government accounting and audit 
regulations.
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms.
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a) Administrative Regions — refer to the administrative regions where the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds regional offices.
b) Careers in S & T - pertains to the enrollment of scholars in college or 
university courses in the fields of basic and applied sciences, 
mathematics, engineering, technology, science education and such 
Other disciplines approved by the BOT.
c) Deserving Students - refers to those who qualify for admission through 
the PSHS National Competitive Examination, or similar other admission 
process approved by the BOT e.g. Lateral Admission Qualifying 
Examination (LAQE), Requirement for Admission, Criteria, and 
Evaluation (RACE).
d) Philippine Science High School (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


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and mathematics using a specially designed curriculum focusing on 
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
e) Philippine Science High School System (PSHS System) - consists of 
the Office of the Executive Director and the PSHS campuses under its 
supervision.
f) Term of Office— refers to the period fixed by this Act within which a 
public official may hold office;
g) Tenure of Office — refers to the period within which a public official 
actually held office within a prescribed term.
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SEC. 5. Scope. — The Philippine Science High School System shall be
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composed of the existing PSHS campuses herein mentioned and future campuses
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which shall be established under this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be
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known as follows:
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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 - Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte, 
formerly Philippine
5) Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus
6) Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva 
Vizcaya, formerly PSHS - Cagayan Valley Campus
7) Philippine Science High School - Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao 
del Norte, formerly PSHS - Central Mindanao Campus
8) Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines 
Sur, formerly Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus
9) Philippine Science High School - llocos Region Campus in llocos Sur, 
formerly Philippine Science High School - llocos Region Campus
10) Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus in Cebu, 
formerly, Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus
11) Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Clark 
Freeport Zone, formerly Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon 
Campus
12) Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region 
Campus in Baguio City, formerly Philippine Science High School - 
Cordillera Administrative Region Campus
13) Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in 
Koronadal City, formerly Philippine Science High School - 
SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus


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14) Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus in Butuan 
City, formerly Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region 
Campus
15) Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus in 
Batangas City, formerly Philippine Science High School - 
CALABARZON Region Campus
16) Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in 
Romblon, formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region 
Campus
17) Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region 
Campus in Dipolog City, formerly Philippine Science High School - 
Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus”
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The establishment of future PSHS campuses, the PSHS Board of Trustees may
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consider the following locations: 1st district of Akian; Daraga, Albay; Ubay, Bohoi;
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Laoag, llocos Norte: and Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur; Third District, Cagayan
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and General Santos City, South Cotabato. Provided that there shall be established
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PSHS campuses per region and one (1) campus per province according to the criteria
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as set by the PSHS Board of Trustees:
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SEC. 6. Restriction on the Conversion of High Schools into a Philippine Science
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High School System. — In addition to the criteria as set by the BOT in the
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establishment and operation of the PSHS System, the conversion and inclusion of
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existing high schools into the PSHS system shall not be allowed.
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SEC. 7. Overall Coordinating Authority. — The PSHS System shall be under
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the administrative supervision of the DOST. The BOT shall be the Governing Board of
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all the PSHS campuses. The PSHS BOT shall formulate the staffing pattern of the
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PSHS System in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
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and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
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SEC. 8. PSHS Board of Trustees. — There shall be a Board of Trustees
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composed of the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex officio
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Chairperson, the Secretary of Department of Education as ex officio Vice Chairperson
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and the following members: the President of the University of the Philippines, The
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Executive Director of PSHS, the Director of Science Education Institute (SEI), the
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President of the PSHS National Alumni Association, and the Chairpersons of the
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Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of
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Representatives as ex officio members; and one (1) representative each from the
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private sector representing higher education, child development professionals or
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practitioners, agriculture and new emerging technologies. The private sector
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representatives shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of
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a duly constituted search committee. The private sector representatives shall serve a
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fixed term of four (4) years.


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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 standard in all PSHS Campuses;
c) Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director;
d) 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 and termination of PSHS scholarships including stipend 
and such allowances for students;
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Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS 
campuses;
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Approve the appointment of Executive Director, Deputy Executive 
Director(s) and Campus Director(s);
i) Approve 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;
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Approve the extension of services of faculty members over the age of 65 
up to 70 years of age and enjoy the rights and benefits under Republic Act 
No. 8439 as amended by Republic Act 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, to create positions and 
fix and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other 
employees and to determine the minimum hours of service of faculty and 
such other terms and conditions of employment as it may deem proper;


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I) Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements thereof; 
donations, contributions, bequests, gifts, and to formulate policies for the 
administration thereof in accordance with applicable internal revenue laws;
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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/donation received is not intended for a particular campus, the 
Board shall likewise appropriate the same for the benefit of the System or 
any part thereof; a) Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, 
faculty and staff;
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b) Approve partnership of PSHS System with local and international 
institutions;
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c) Approve policies and guidelines to rationalize the establishment and
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operation of a campus under the System, for its assessment, evaluation and
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approval including the naming or renaming of existing or future PSHS
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Campuses;
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d) Approve criteria in the search for Executive Director (ED), Deputy Executive
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Directors (DED) and Campus Directors (CD), and the selection of teaching
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and non-teaching personnel;
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e) Shall have the discretion to create and reorganize the composition of the
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Executive Committee;
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f) Approve the organizational and governance structure of the PSHS System
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recommended by the ED.
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SEC. 9. Executive Director — There shall be an ED for the PSHS System who
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shall be appointed by the BOT and shall have a rank of an Executive Director V, with
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a Salary Grade of 30. The ED shall have a tenure of five (5) years renewable for
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another term , but with a maximum of three (3) terms.
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The ED shall exercise academic and administrative supervision within the
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PSHS and shall be the Chibf Executive Officer and primary implementer of policies
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and guidelines set by the BOT.
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The ED shall perform the following roles and functions:
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a) Coordinate core curriculum planning activities and research-based
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development to be implemented by various campuses;
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b) Conduct a continuing evaluation of the implementation of the approved
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curriculum;


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c) Oversee research projects of PSHS campuses which shall include
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monitoring, coordinating and evaluating research programs of campuses;
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d) Manage the IP registration, prototype development and commercialization
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or adoption of research outputs of scholars and students;
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e) Provide legal and technicaPsupport to members, of the PSHS System.
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Towards this end, the Office of the Executive Director shall be provided with
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legal and technical staff who shall provide legal, technical and administrative
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services to PSHS campuses;
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f) Establish strategic linkages and coordinate student and faculty exchange
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programs with foreign and local institutions to upgrade the level of expertise
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of both faculty and students;
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g) Facilitate networking among the campuses of the PSHS System with other
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institutions in terms of sharing resources, expertise and equipment;
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h) Oversee the development of a systemwide outreach program to upgrade
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the teaching of STEM and provide support within the capabilities and
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resources of various science high school campuses;
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i) Recommend for approval of the BOT the organizational and governance
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structure of the PSHS System;
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j) Coordinate the implementation of BOT approved admission process, criteria
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and standards: and
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k) Provide secretariat services to the BOT;
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The Executive Director shall be provided with the necessary staff for the efficient and
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effective implementation of the above functions.
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In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the OED shall be provided with
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additional plantilla positions to be determined by the Executive Director and approved
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by the BOT.
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SEC. 10. Deputy Executive Director. — There shall be three (3) Deputy
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Executive Directors with the rank of Deputy Executive Director IV and with Salary
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Grade (28)'who shall be appointed by the BOT upon the recommendation of the BOT
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on the basis of a search process. They shall serve for a tenure of five (5) years,
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renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms.
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SEC. 11. Campus Director. — There shall be a CD for each PSHS campus in
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the region by the PSHS System BOT with the rank of Director III with a Salary Grade
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27. The CD shall serve for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for another term
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but with a maximum of three (3) terms on the basis of a search process.
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The CD shall be the administrative and academic head of a campus and will
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be responsible for its smooth operations. The CD may constitute a consultative body
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which may act as a citizen's arm to interpret the educational needs of the service area
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of the campus.


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SEC. 12. Executive Committees (Execom). - There shall be an Executive
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Committee in the PSHS System composed of the ED as ex officio chairperson, DED
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as ex officio members and the CD representatives as members. The Execom is
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collegial in nature.
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SEC. 13. Faculty Members Qualification- Faculty members of the PSHS
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System shall be exempt from any civil service examination or regulations as a
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requisite to appointment. They shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as
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may be established by the BOT which shall include, if necessary and practicable,
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screening and competitive examination.
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SEC. 14. Curriculum. - There shall be a PSHS System STEM Curriculum from
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Grades 7 to 10, and Grades 11 to 12 which shall be recognized as Junior High School,
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and Senior High School Levels, respectively.
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SEC. 15. Exemption from Tax. — All grants, bequests, endowments, gifts,
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donations and contributions made to and used, directly and exclusively for educational
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purposes by the PSHS shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be
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considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of computing the
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taxable income of the donee in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal
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Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
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The importation of scientific and research equipment for educational purposes
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made by the PSHS upon certification by the DOST shall be exempt from customs
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duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known
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as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act."
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SEC. 16. Trust Fund. - Income generated from school fees collected shall be
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reported and deposited to an authorized government depository bank as a trust fund
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of the PSHS System to be used for priority programs and activities.
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SEC. 17. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of
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this act shall be included in the annual general appropriations act.
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SEC. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The BOT shall formulate,
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within ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act, and issue the necessary
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Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 19. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
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shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 20. Transitory Provision. - Upon approval of this law, the following
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incumbent key officials of the PSHS System shall acquire new term of office, as
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follows:
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a) Non-ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees, they are eligible to
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assume a term of 4 years;
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b) Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director, subject to meritorious
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performance and upon approval of the BOT, they are eligible to assume a
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maximum of three (3) terms;
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c) Campus Directors, subject to meritorious performance and approval of the
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BOT, they are eligible to assume a maximum of three (3) terms.
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Further, the PSHS System BOT thru the Executive Committee shall submit a
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reclassification or staffing modification and/ or position classification plan to fix the
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qualifications and upgrade the salary grades of its personnel particularly of its faculty
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that will recognize their specialized science teacher status subject to the existing
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policies of the DBM and the CSC rules and regulations.
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SEC. 21. Fallback Position. — At the end of his/her term, the Executive
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Director, Deputy Executive Director, or Campus Director may opt to remain with the
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PSHS System and occupy the highest available faculty rank in the PSHS System
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without diminution in salary..
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SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act Nos. 3661, 8436 and 9036 are
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hereby repealed. All laws, proclamations, orders, rules and regulations or parts
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thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended,
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 23. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,