Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1345

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our country's school system is still lacking in so many ways. Though many
Filipino children demonstrate an above average general intellectual ability and potential
ability in many fields of science and mathematics, our school system cannot give merit
to this student. Thus, students are forced to accept however little the school can offer.

Though it is the responsibility of the State to provide scholarships, grant-in-aids
and other forms of incentives to deserving science students, researchers, scientists,
investors, technologists and specially-gifted children (Article XIV, Sec. 11, 1987
Constitution) and to create an environment where their expertise can be developed and
utilized for the benefit of the Filipino people, this is not always recognized.

This bill therefore proposes to establish a national program for Filipino gifted

children and science-oriented youth is needed.

Thus, support for this piece of legislation is earnestly requested.

wv ev

AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.
2”* District, Province of lloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House BillNo,_ 1945

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO GIFTED
CHILDREN AND SCIENCE-ORIENTED YOUTH, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Gifted Children and
Science-Oriented Youth Act”.

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to recognize and
discharge its responsibilities to strengthen and actively promote the Filipino family as
the foundation of the nation and actively promote its total development (Article XV, sec.
1 of the 1987 Constitution); provide scholarships, grant-in-aids, other forms of incentives
to deserving science students, researchers, scientists, investors, technologists and
specially gifted citizens (Article XIV, Sec. 11 of the 1987 Constitution); create an
environment where their expertise can be developed and utilized for the benefit of the
Filipino people; provide the structures to implement the same; and appropriate funds to
support the program on a sustained basis.

SEC. 3. Objectives. In line with the above policy, the State shall pursue the
following objectives:

a) Identify the gifted Filipino children and science-oriented youth at the earliest

age possible;

Establish a Center for the identification and nurturance of Filipino gifted

children and science-oriented youth;

Provide scholarship grants and other forms of assistance for identified Filipino

gifted children and science-oriented youth;

Provide funds for research and development, curriculum development,

training or parents, teachers and other personnel and the necessary

infrastructure to carry out the objectives and programs in nurturing of the

identified Filipino gifted children and science-oriented youth;

Provide incentives to government institutions and the private sector that will

participate in the implementation of this Act; and

f) Establish and maintain linkages with national and international institutions
involved in progress on giftedness.

b)

°)

d

e


SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
be defined as:

1. Gifted Children — are those who have at least above average general
intellectual ability and who have demonstrated superior achievement and/or
potential ability in any of the following areas:

a) Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence is the ability to use with clarity the core
operations of language. Poets, writers, journalists, and broadcasters/talk
show hosts may exhibit linguistic intelligence;

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence is the ability to reason, recognize and

solve insignificant problems, explore abstract systems and explain

physical reality. Scientists, mathematicians, researchers and engineers
may demonstrate logical and mathematical intelligence;

Body Kinesthetic Intelligence is the control of one’s body motion, gross

and fine motor dexterity. Actors, dancers, athletes, acrobats may possess

body/kinesthetic intelligence;

Visual/Spatial Intelligence is the ability to perceive space accurately,

conjure mental images and transform it to produce graphic likeness of the

spatial information. Painters, sculptors, cartographers, surgeons,
architects, navigators have highly developed spatial intelligence.

Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence is the ability to use the set of musical

elements: pitch, rhythm and timbre and the qualities of a tone. Musical

intelligence may be demonstrated by singers, composers,
instrumentalists, conductors;

f) Leadership Ability refers to inter-personal and intra-personal relationship
skills, capacity to influence others, skills in planning, judgment and
problem solving. Highly developed leadership ability is seen, for example,
among student achievers in various fields, executives, legislators

b

°)

qd)

e)

2. Science-oriented youth — are those who have demonstrated at least above
average performance in science and mathematics and superior ability in the
following areas.

a) Intellectual ability; and
b) Logical mathematical ability.

3. Identification — is the process of assessing potential or demonstrated
giftedness or science-orientedness through instruments approved or
developed by the Center as provided for in Section 6 (f) of this Act.

4. Nurturance — is a process of providing opportunities to develop and enhance
the full potential of identified Filipino gifted children and science-oriented
youth.

SEC. 5. Center for the Gifted Children and Science-Oriented Youth. A center
that will carry out the aforementioned objectives shall be established by the Board of
Regents of the University of the Philippines (U.P.). The Center shall perform its
functions in coordination with relevant government agencies and the private sector.

The Center for the gifted children and science-oriented youth shall be headed by
an executive director and such other needed personnel as shall be determined by the
U.P. Board of Regents.

SEC, 6. Program Components. In pursuance of the objectives of this Act as
embodied in Section 3, the Center, in coordination with relevant government agencies
and the private sector, shall implement the following program components:


1. Identification and placement of gifted children and science-oriented youth.
The Center shall ensure proper assessment, identification and placement of
gifted children and science-oriented youth in appropriate educational
institutions and assist them in securing proper job/work placement in the
country.

2. Scholarship. The Center shall provide scholarship and other forms of
assistance for gifted children and science-oriented youth and assist them in
securing scholarships/study grants in colleges and universities.

3. Training for teachers and other personnel. The Center shall provide
continuing training programs for teachers, guidance counselors,
psychologists, administrators and other personnel to upgrade their
competence in identifying and nurturing the gifted children and science-
oriented youth.

4. Training of parents on parenting and nurturing of gifted children and science-
oriented youth. Since the home plays a vital role in the development of
children, the Center shall provide parents training in nurturing and counseling
of gifted children and science-oriented youth.

5. Curriculum development. The Center shall provide for the development of
learner-appropriate curriculum and instructional materials for gifted children
and science-oriented group.

6. Development of assessment tools. The Center shall provide for the
development of national assessment tools for the identification of gifted
children and science —oriented youth as provided in Section 4 of this Act.

7. Accreditation. The Center shall accredit schools, institutions or agencies
providing education programs for the gifted children and science-oriented
youth except for those which are already recognized and accredited by the
Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Science High School
System under the DepEd and the Philippine Science High School System
under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Center shall assist accredited schools/institutions or agencies to
secure grants for their programs.

8. Research and development. The Center shall formulate a research and
development program for gifted children and science-oriented youth which will
serve as a framework to guide relevant government agencies and the private
sector.

The Center shall accept donations, gifts and grants and lead in generating
funds to support the research and development programs of accredited
institutions.

9. Linkages and networking. The Center shall establish and develop internal and
external linkages and networks with government and non-government
organizations, international organizations, and agencies involved in providing
programs for the gifted children and science-oriented youth

SEC. 7. Advisory Council. The Center shall have an Advisory Council to ensure
the effective coordination and implementation of the program established under this Act.


The Advisory Council shall be chaired by the President of the U.P. System and
co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and
the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) with the following members: 1)
Chairman of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts; 2) Executive Director of
the Philippine Science High School System; 3) Director of the Philippine Science High
School for the Arts; and 4) two private sector representatives from industry and
institutions involved in providing programs for gifted children and science-oriented youth
appointed by the U.P. Board of Regents.

SEC. 8. Incentives for Private Individuals/Entities. Donations to the Center
shall be deposited in a trust fund to be used in accordance with the provisions of this
Act. Gifts, bequest in the form of cash, building, land or improvements thereon from
private entities or individuals in support of programs for gifted children and science-
oriented youth, as certified by the Center, shall be exempt from the donor's tax:
Provided, however, that not more than thirty percent (30%) of said gifts shall be used by
such donee for administration purposes. The same donations shall be considered as
allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor. Said tax exemptions shall be
granted in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as
amended.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 10. National Celebration of Giftedness. In recognition of the efforts and
contributions of the gifted, the President of the Philippines shall declare one week each
year as National Giftedness Week.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The University of the
Philippines in collaboration with DepEd and DOST shall formulate the Rules and
Regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulations, whichever comes earlier.

Approved