Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8293

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE
ARTS SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

This bill alms to establish a specialized high school system intended to hone the artistic
skills and talents of the youth throughout the country.

Compared to the 15 schools of Philippine Sclence High School System, there are only
two (2) specialized arts-focused public high school in the country, namely the
Philippine High School for the Arts in Laguna and the Bataan High School for the Arts.

The arts have too often been dismissed or even maligned as future career for our
young people. However, the creative arts promote economic growth, are good for
mental well-being, encourage civic engagement and promote community cohesion,

The Philippine High School for Creative Arts System shall be a training ground for
leadership and excellence in the arts, research, training and education, It shall build
programs committed to the conservation and promotion of the Filipino artistic and
cultural traditions.

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

VU parr

LUIS RAYMU! RAY” F./VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philiypines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8293

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE
ARTS SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine High School for
Creative Arts System Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. Moreover, the government is committed to fulfill its
constitutional mandate to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution
of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of
free artistic and intellectual expression and to place arts, design and other intellectual
creative creation under the patranage of the State. To this end, the State shall promote
creative arts education and encourage arts programs, national art competitions, and
the strengthening of education for the development of creative industries. This shall
include a complete and harmonious development of citizenry who can contribute most
meaningfully towards the creation and enhancement of a democratic, just, and
humane society imbued with national identity and pride. The State shall provide
adequate training for students with artistic abilities with the end view of producing
world-class artists with solid academic background and strong patriotic ideals. In line
with this, an educational system to foster the holistic development of the youth and to
prepare the students for a long-term career in the various fields of creative industry is
hereby established.

Sec. 3. Creation and Establishment of the Philippine High Schoo! for Creative Arts
(PHSCA) System. - There is hereby established a Philippine High School for Creative
Arts (PHSCA) System which are secondary schools offering full scholarships to
deserving students with considerable potential in the fields of performing arts, creative
writing, visual arts, and applied arts. Admitted students shalll be trained under a special
curriculum oriented in the fields of architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, dramatic


arts, literary arts, music, visual arts, design, digital fabrication and new media, along
with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and basic knowledge on intellectual
property rights, with the end in view of providing quality education to students while
preparing them for various creative industry related career as well a readiness for
entrepreneurial endeavors or employment. It will, thus, provide a continuing source of
artists of excellence and leaders in the preservation and promotion of culture, arts and
the creative industry in the Philippines. The PHSCA System shall be administratively
attached to the Department of Education (DepEd) in consultation with the National
Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for program Implementation.

Sec. 4. Board of Trustees. - The PHSCA System shall be governed by a Board of
Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the "Board", which shall be composed of the
following:

(a) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of Education,
as Chairperson;

(b) Chairperson or the Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture and
the Arts (NCA), as Co-chairperson;

(c) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), as member,

(d) Secretary or the duly designated Undersecretary of the Department of Information
and Communication Technology (DICT), as member,

e) President or the Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), as.
member;

(f) President of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), as member;
(g) Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), as member;

(h) Executive Director of the PHSCA System as created in Section 9 of this Act, as
member.

The Board shall also include as members, three (3) representatives from the fields of
performing arts, visual arts and applied arts who may either be a respected member
of the academe in the field of culture and the arts or a representative from the creative
industries of known expertise, integrity and probity, all of whom shall be appointed by
the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, subject to the confirmation of the members
of the Board. The members from the academe and creative industry community shall
have a term of three (3) years, renewable for another three (3) years, and shall not be
eligible for reappointment. All members who are not receiving regular compensation
from the government shall receive reasonable per diem to be determined by the Board
subject to current practices, for every meeting of the Board.

Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Board of Trustees. - The exercise of the corporate
powers of the PHSCA System is hereby vested exclusively In the Board. The Board
shail have the following specific powers and duties in adcition to its general powers of
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board of directors of a
corporation under Section 35 of Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the
Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines:

(a) To formulate policies and guidelines for the administration and operation of the
PHSCA System;


(b) To determine the site of the first PHSCA campus. After the first site for the PHSCA
campus shall have been established, to determine other sites for future expansion of
the PHSCA System;

(c) To approve the curricula, course of study, and rules of discipline drawn up by the
Executive Council as hereinafter provided;

(d) To receive and appropriate for the ends herein specified such sums as may be
provided by law for the support of the PHSCA;

(e) To formulate policies on personnel organization, appointment, promotion,
retention/renewal of contracts, fixing of their compensations, subject to existing
Compensation and Position Classification System, removal for just cause, rewards,
incentives and other conditions of employment for administrators, faculty and staff of
the PHSCA;

(f) To approve appointments made and contracts entered into by the Executive
Director in connection with the employment of administrative officers, teachers,
lecturers and other employees of the school;

(g) To provide and approve fellowship grants and trainings for administrators, faculty
members and staff;

(h) To approve the grant of scholarships, stipends and such other allowances to
deserving students based on the guidelines and implementing rules;

(i) To establish the criteria for the selection and admission of students which shall
include, among others, national competitive auditions and examinations;

() To approve the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates for
graduation;

(k) To call on creative industries sector and establish partnership to ensure
employability of the PHSCA graduates;

()) To receive, in trust, legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal property of
all kinds and to administer the same for the benefit of the PHSCA or for aid to any of
its students;

(m) To enact rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes and functions of the PHSCA; and

(n) To perform any and all other acts incident ta or required by virtue of its creation.

See. 6. Hiring of Foreign Educators and Consultants. - In addition to the powers and
functions vested to the Board under Section 5 of this Act, the Board shall be allowed
to approve the hiring of foreign educators and consultants: Provided, That the NCCA
shall certify the necessity of hiring such educators and consultants, including their
competence and skills which are not available locally or proved to be incomparable
with their local counterparts. The Board shall provide guidelines and mechanisms to
ensure that the new knowledge and training methods introduced by the foreign
educators and consultants shall be passed on to the student-artists and local
educators, trainers and consultants of the PHSCA.

Sec. 7. Campuses. - The Board shall provide for policies for the organization of
regional nationally funded high schools for creative arts. The Board shall also provide
for policies to enter Into a memorandum of agreement with existing locally funded high
schools for the arts for consideration as extension campuses or branches of the
PHSCA System. The extension campuses shall be organized in coordination with the
concerned local government unit and the DepEd, and In consultation with the
Department of Budget and Management


Sec. 8. Meetings of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall regularly convene at least
once every quarter of the PHSCA school calendar: Provided, That within sixty (60)
days upon the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall immediately convene and conduct
monthly meetings for purposes of determining the site for the first PHSCA campus,
choosing and appointing the Executive Director, the three (3) members of the Board
from the academe and/or creative arts community, and plan for the effective
organization of the PHSCA System. The Chairperson or the Co-chairperson of the
Board may call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, That members are
notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to said meeting. A majority of all members
holding office, in person or virtually, shall constitute a quorum for board meetings:
Provided, That the Chairperson or the Co-chairperson of the Board are among those
present in the meeting

Sec. 9. Executive Director. - The PHSCA System shall be headed by an Executive
Director who shall serve for a fixed term of six (6) years. The Executive Director shall
be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, subject to the approval of
the members of the Board based on the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the
implementing rules and regulations. The Board shall also fix the compensation of the
Executive Director. The Executive Director shall coordinate the implementation of
policies and guidelines set by the Board. As a member of the Board, the Executive
Director shall articulate to the Board the mutual concern of all the campuses. The
Executive Director shail perform the following functions:

(a) Coordinate curriculum planning activities for the PHSCA System;

(b) Coordinate exchange programs with other educational institutions for creative arts
both local and foreign;

(c) Coordinate the implementation of the program for the identification and selection
of scholars for the PHSCA System;

(d) Provide legal, technical support and secretariat for the PHSCA System.

Sec. 10. Executive Council. - There shall be an Executive Council consisting of the
Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director, as created in Section 11 of this Act,
and the Campus Directors, as created In Section 12 of this Act. The Executive Council
shall be responsible for the development of the artistic potential of every student with
a strong academic base and for providing programs for the students with the end goal
of training gifted youths in various fields of creative art, The Council shall implement
and execute the policies laid down by the Board and exercise such other functions,
powers and duties as the Board may prescribe.

Sec. 11. Deputy Executive Director. - There shall be a Deputy Executive Director who.
shall assist the Executive Director. In the absence of the Executive Director, the
Deputy Executive Director shall assume the administrative and supervisory functions
of the Executive Director. The Deputy Executive Director, who shall have a fixed term
of four (4) years, renewable for another four (4) years, shall be appointed by the
Chairperson of the Board subject to the approval of the same Board, which shall also
fix the compensation of the Deputy Executive Director.

Sec. 12. Campus Director, - Each PHSCA shall be headed by a Campus Director who
shall be appointed by the Board, upon recommendation of the Executive Director on
the basis of a search process. The Campus Director shall have a fixed term of six (6)


years. The Campus Director shall not be removed from office except for cause. The
Campus Director shall be the administrative and academic head of the campus
assigned to, and will be responsible for its effective and efficient operations. The
Campus Director may constitute a management committee which may act as a
consultative body for the educational needs, standard of living in campus and other
related services for the students, faculty and staff of the campus.

Sec. 13. Civil Service Coverage. - Personnel of the PHSCA shall be classified into:

(a) Career service personnel, namely, those of the finance, administrative, and
personnel staff of the PHSCA and the general education faculty, who shall be covered
by civil service examinations and regulations; and

(b) Non-career service personnel, consisting of the members of the faculty who
specialized in the various fields of creative industry, who shall be exempt from civil
service examinations and regulations. Career and non-career service personnel shall
be subject to Compensation and Position Classification System.

They shall be entitled to retirement benefits enjoyed by all government personnel, in
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. Provisions for retirement shall
be included in the annual budget of the PHSCA.

Sec. 14, Annual Report. - The Board shall submit to the Office of the President of the
Philippines and Congress a detailed report on the progress, condition and needs of
the PHSCA two (2) months prior to the opening of every school year.

Sec. 15. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a Joint
Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act.
The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from the
Senate and from the House of Representatives, including the Chairs of the
Committees on Basic Education and Culture, and Finance in the Senate and
Appropriations in the House of Representatives. The membership of the Committee
for each House shall have at least one (1) opposition or minority member.

Sec. 16. Tax Exemptions of the PHSCA System. - The importation of equipment
relating to creative Industry, books, art related supplies, musical Instruments,
materials and goods, including those donated to the PHSCA System shall be exempt
from customs duty In accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863,
otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)": Provided,
That these are of international standards and are not available from local
manufacturers: Provided, further. That the importation shall only be in such numbers
as may be required in the development programs and/or training of the students:
Provided, finally. That all importations shall be made in the name of PHSCA System
as recipient and shall be Immediately registered in the name of PHSCA System.

Sec. 17. Tax Exemption on Donations. - All grants, bequest, endowments, donations
and contributions made to the PHSCA end that are actually, directly and exclusively
used by the PHSCA, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be
considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in the computation of the


income tax of the donor In accordance with the provisions of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Sec. 18. Creative Arts Schoo! Fund. - All incomes and donations to the PHSCA
created under this Act shail be formed into a fund, to be known as the Creative Arts
School Fund, which the PHSCA shall be authorized to retain, without need of a
separate approval from any goverment agency, and subject only to existing
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. This fund shall be expended as
authorized by the Board exclusively for the purpose of this Act.

Sec, 19. Appropriations, - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act shall be Included in the DepEd budget in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

Sec, 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, NCCA, DTI, TESDA and
CECP shall promulgate not later than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act,
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act
Provided, That the failure to promulgate the rules and regulations shall not prevent the
implementation of this Act upon its effectivity,

Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec, 22. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive order and other
administrative Issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,