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Republic of the Philippines |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Cave 25 AUG 2018
: Quezon City j
17% CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8316 Ree oe VION UAT
AND ACE X SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

ie might very well be that education is the single most potent equalizing force
in our society. By it a pauper is able to compete with a prince in the marketplace of
competence, as the only capital needed is a sufficient supply of diligence,
perseverance, and merit, It is therefore apropos that our constitution has gone as far
pe making the availability of quality education to all an utmost priority in the
hierarchy. Given this general framework, it is incumbent upon us to enact and
legislate measure which would enable our forefathers’ dream and promise of equal
opportunity to all a bit more of a tangible reality. By this measure, itis proposed that
Mean and Science Public High Schools be established in previously underserved
areas.

Despite the increasing government commitment to improving the state of
Philippine education, recent editions of the Global Competitiveness Survey have
consistently ranked the Philippines in the bottom 20% of participating countries in
terms of the quality of science education. National performance in math has
vorsened, with students posting an average score of only 46.3% on the National
‘Achievement Test from 2011-2012. The increased budget for education has yet to
pay dividends when it comes to science education. These results do not bode well
for a nation whose greatest asset are the men and women who form it

‘Therefore, this legislation seeks to close the educational access gap between
different sectors of Philippine society. The establishment of a new structure of
sccessible math and science high schools across the Philippines will allow capable
and willing students who have been hindered by geographic and economic barriers
to pursue a science-based education in numbers that are as of yet unheard of ip the
Philippines. In time, this investment in human capital will pay dividends as these
ambitious young students become the next science-related professionals of our
country. Considering the enormous dividends that the cultivation of these brilliant
minds will pay to society in the future, this is a worthy investment for us to make,

Support for the passage and approval of this legislation4s-Garnestly sought



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
17% CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3316

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MATH AND
SCIENCE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND
APPRORPRIATING 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 "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
gchool 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 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 property: Provided, That these schools must be
fully operational by Academic Year 2018-2019: Provided, further,
That any utilization of idle government-owned assets shall follow
pertinent procedures as prescribed by law: Provided, finally, That
Schools which have been designated by the Department of Education
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 Department of Education, 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 Department of Education 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 Department of
Education 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 Bachelors 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
programme of said graduate, as calculated by the Department of
Education. 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
(P500,000,000.00) 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 Department of Education, in
coordination with the Department of Science and Technology and the
Commission on Higher Education, 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,