Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Mark O. Go 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2017, Baguio City became the first Philippine city to be inducted into the UNESCO 
Creative Cities Network. The city has been recognized by the global initiative for its crafts and 
folk arts expressions which do not only showcase indigenous talents, but also provide 
sustainable livelihood to many residents through the city’s local trade and creative tourism 
economy.  Culture and the arts are essential to the holistic development of our society, 
recognized by the very Constitution as a means to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate 
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.  As such, it is important to 
inculcate in the youth the value of the arts, to give them an avenue for their creative pursuits, 
and to introduce them to the real world opportunities in the arts and the creative sector.  
Supporting creative industries is a concrete means towards achieving the 2030 Agenda 
for Sustainable Development, directly addressing many of its identified goals.  Making cities 
and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable as part of the Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on inclusive and sustainable urbanization and the protection 
and safeguarding of the world’s cultural heritage.  The SDGs recognize that it is not only 
possible but indeed imperative that urban development should be pursued erstwhile preserving 
and promoting our culture and traditions.  According to UNESCO, there are currently 56 local 
institutions directly devoted to Baguio’s creative sector, totaling a gross receipt of US$1,113,258. 
The key towards developing the sector’s sustainability is ensuring intergenerational transfer of 
knowledge and skills and development of the creative sector through a formal academic 
institution with focus on the arts.  
Baguio is a cosmopolitan of people from all over Luzon, bringing with them their 
distinct local culture and heritage. While the city is well known for its strong tourism economy, 
with the local creative sector leading this particular industry, Baguio also hosts various 
technological parks and encourages a culture of innovation and modernization. The city is a 
cultural, technological, and academic hub in northern Luzon, which provides the optimal 
environment for young Filipinos to explore and cultivate their passion for the arts.     
By creating the Baguio City High School for the Arts, the youth of Baguio and even 
those from neighboring areas, will have a place where their aptitude and skills in culture and the 
arts can be properly honed with the right environment, facilities, and curriculum. Through this 
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specialized institution, free artistic and intellectual expression can foster with the guidance of 
trained professionals, and properly complemented with the necessary academic foundation so 
the students are still free and able to enter any field of study or profession they may choose upon 
graduation. Still, a high school for the arts will allow the youth to see the creative sector as a 
viable option for career and livelihood.  
Baguio is home to National Artists Benedicto Cabrera, better known as BenCab, and Eric 
Oteyza de Guia or Kidlat Tahimik.  But apart from renowned Filipino artists are many up-and-
coming young artists from various fields of traditional and contemporary art who also hail from 
Baguio.  It is envisioned that from the ranks of the future graduates of the proposed high school 
will rise the next industry captains and National Artists who will proudly showcase the Filipino 
culture and talent to the international stage.   
This bill has been approved by the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress and was 
transmitted to the Senate for its consideration and approval.  However, due to lack of material time, 
this proposed measure was not enacted into law. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this significant measure is earnestly sought. 
MARK O. GO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Hon. Mark O. Go 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE BAGUIO CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to foster the 
preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of Filipino national culture based on the 
principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression. 
To this end, the State shall promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose 
aptitude and skill in culture and the arts shall be properly encouraged and honed through 
education and specialized training programs.  The State shall establish, maintain, and support a 
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education and training to encourage the artistic 
talent and cultural aptitude of the Filipino youth as well as support and promote the development 
of young artists nationwide.   
SEC. 2. Establishment of the Baguio City High School for the Arts. – There is hereby 
established in the City of Baguio a specialized public high school that shall offer arts-focused 
education, to be known as the Baguio City High School for the Arts, herein referred to as the 
School. 
The School shall be administered and supervised by the Department of Education 
(DepEd), in close coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) 
and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The NCCA and CCP shall provide policy 
direction and technical assistance to the School through the DepEd Cordillera Administrative 
Region Regional Office and Schools Division Office of Baguio City. 
SEC. 3. Mandate. – The School shall implement a general secondary education, as 
prescribed by Republic Act No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”, to 
students with considerable potential in the arts.  The school curriculum shall have significant 
emphasis on developing the talent, skill, and exceptional giftedness of students, thereby 
nurturing potential artists while preserving and promoting Filipino heritage.  
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SEC. 4. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. – The organizational structure 
and staffing pattern of the School shall be prescribed by the DepEd, subject to the approval of 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 
 
SEC. 5. Authority to Receive Donations and Grants. – The School’s Principal may 
receive grants, bequest, endowments, donations and contributions made to the School, to be used 
actually, directly and exclusively by the School, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules 
and regulations. 
 
SEC. 6. Development Plan and Organizational Structure. – Within one hundred twenty 
(120) days after the approval of this Act, the School shall accomplish the following: 
 
(a)  Submit a five-year development plan, including its corresponding budgetary program 
to the DepEd for endorsement to the DBM; and  
 
(b) Set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure, subject to the 
qualification standards set by the DepEd.  
 
SEC. 7.  Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the budget of the DepEd in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days after the 
approval of this Act, the DepEd shall, in coordination with the NCCA, CCP, and the local 
government of the City of Baguio, promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the 
provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC.  9.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,