Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MATH AND SCIENCE HIGH 
SCHOOLS IN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) play a key role in an 
economy’s growth and stability. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases 
science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. As such the importance 
of improving the quality of instruction in these learning domains could not be overstated.  
In this regard, this measure aims to provide equitable access to quality education in the 
pure and applied Sciences, mathematics, and technology. This measure proposes to 
establish a specialized public high school across all provinces which do not have at least 
one (1) public math and science high school operating within their geographical 
boundaries.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 19, 2022
1:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MATH AND SCIENCE HIGH 
SCHOOLS IN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SEC. 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. 
Under 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 this Act, the term public math and science high school shall refer to a school 
principally financed through national or local government funds that implement 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 (DepEd) to 
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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 2020-2021: Provided, further, That any utilization of idle 
government-owned assets shall follow pertinent procedures as prescribed by law: 
Provided, further, That schools which have been designated by the DepEd 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 DepEd, 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 DepEd 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 DepEd 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 the 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 Bachelor's 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 
before completion of the degree program shall pay a fine equivalent to the total full cost 
incurred by the government in subsidizing the secondary education program of said 
graduate, as calculated by the DepEd. 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 (P 500,000,000.00) 
is hereby initially appropriated to implement the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, the 
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 DepEd, in coordination with the DOST and the 
CHED, 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,