NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
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24 NOV -6 P3:Qf
SENATE
S.B. No. 2874
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
No less than the highest law of the land, the Philippine Constitution in its Section 
10 of Article XIV recognized the role of science, technology, and innovation in national 
development. It further stated that the State “shall give priority to research and 
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and 
technology education, training, and services.”
Legislation is a common platform in asserting the advancement of science and 
technology in the country. Several laws have been passed in this regard. Republic Act 
No. 3850 or the Philippine Inventors Incentives Act was enacted to promote Philippine 
inventions. The Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) was also 
created in 1987 to promote commercialization of technologies and services of 
operating units of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Republic Act 
No. 7459 or the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act was intended to prioritize 
invention and its use. More importantly, this law provided for incentives to investors 
and the protection of the right to their invention.


Republic Act No. 3661 established the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) 
in 1963. It was strengthened through Republic Act No. 8496 which reorganized the 
school system. The PSHS is the country’s top high school, as students in Pisay are 
trained under a more demanding curriculum that focuses on sciences and 
mathematics.
This proposed measure is an effort to further strengthen the governance and 
management of the PSHS System to better suit the changing demands of the time.
In recognition of the role of the Philippine Science High School in national 
development, consideration of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMON/BONG IREVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 2SV4
24 NOV-6 P3--09
RlCD u
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
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AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress 
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Philippine 
Science High School (PSHS) System Act.”
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall give priority to Research and 
Development, invention, innovation, and their utilization: and to Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics education training and services. It shall support 
appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their 
application to the country’s productive systems and national life. To achieve these, the 
State hereby establishes a PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in 
secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
The State shall support the admission process of the PSHS System by 
establishing test centers all over the regions, to enhance equitable admissions and 
access for deserving students.
The State shall also ensure that every region is given equal opportunity to 
benefit from the establishment of the PSHS System. Towards this end, not more than
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two (2) PSHS campuses inclusive of the existing PSHS Campuses shall be 
established in each of the administrative regions of the country outside NCR where 
PSHS-Main Campus is located. Provided that, all establishment of PSHS Campuses 
shall be in accordance with the criteria as set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees 
(BOT). Provided further, only one (1) PSHS Campus shall be established per province. 
After fifteen (15) years of implementation of this law, the PSHS BOT may consider the 
establishment of more than two (2) PSHS campuses per region.
Sec. 3. Objectives. - In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall 
pursue the following objectives:
a) Establish a PSHS Campus that offers on a free scholarship basis a secondary 
course with special emphasis on STEM to students with high aptitude or gifted 
in science and mathematics:
b) Establish campuses that are strategically accessible to the public;
c) Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of schools 
under the PSHS system;
d) Operationalize the establishment of PSHS campuses as defined in this Act;
e) Integrate existing and future campuses into one system of governance and 
management that may be established by this law;
f) Ensure that students with high aptitude or gifted in science and mathematics 
are given equal scholarship opportunities to enroll in the PSHS System;
g) Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate 
courses to conduct researches, and prepare scholars for career in Science and 
Technology (S & T) to become leaders in the field of STEM;
h) Establish international collaboration for holistic development of its student, staff 
and leaders: and
i) Support scholars and teachers’ participation in local and international 
competition, academic symposia, research projects, and similar other scholarly 
activities necessary for the attainment of its objective, subject to availability of 
funds and usual government accounting and audit regulations.


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Sec. 4. Definitions of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a) Administrative Regions - refer to the administrative regions where the
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds regional offices;
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b) Careers in S&T- pertains to the enrollment of scholars in college or university
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courses in the fields of basic and applied sciences, mathematics, engineering,
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technology, science education and such other disciplines approved by the BOT;
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c) Deserving Students - refer to those who qualify for admission through the
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PSHS National Competitive Examination, or similar other admission process
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approved by the BOT;
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d) Phiiippine Science High School System (PSHS System) - consists of the Office
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of the Executive Director (ED) and the PSHS campuses under its supervision;
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e) Scholarship - refers to the awards or grants for secondary education given by
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the PSHS Schools to deserving students;
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f) Term of Office - refers to period fixed by this Act within which a public official
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may hold office; and
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g) Tenure of Office - refers to the period within which a public official actually held
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office within a prescribed term.
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Sec. 5. Scope. - The PSHS System shall be composed of the existing PSHS
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campuses herein mentioned and future campuses which shall be established under
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this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be known as follows:
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1) Philippine Science High School - Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City
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2) Philippine Science High School - Davao Region Campus in Davao City,
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formerly PSHS - Southern Mindanao Campus
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3) Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in Iloilo City
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4) Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte
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5) Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya
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6) Philippine Science High School - Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao del
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Norte, formerly PSHS - Central Mindanao Campus
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7) Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines Sur
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8) Philippine Science High School - llocos Region Campus in llocos Sur
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9) Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus in Cebu


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10) Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus in Clark Freeport 
Zone
11) Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus in 
Baguio City
12) Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in 
Koronadal City
13) Philippine Science High School - Caraga Region Campus in Butuan City
14) Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus in Batangas 
City
15) Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in Romblon
16) Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus.
The establishment of future PSHS campuses, the BOT may consider the 
following locations, First District of Akian, Daraga, Albay; Ubay, Bohol; Laoag City, 
llocos Norte: Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, Third District, Cagayan and General 
Santos City, South Cotabato, Provided, that there shall be established two (2) PSHS 
campuses per region and one (1) campus per province according to the criteria as set 
by the BOT.
Sec. 6. Overall Coordinating Authority. The PSHS System shall be under the 
administrative supervision of the DOST. The BOT shall be the governing board of all 
the PSHS campus. The PSHS BOT shall formulate the staffing pattern of the PSHS 
System in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules and regulations.
Sec. 7. PSHS Board of Trustees. There shall be a BOT composed of the 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex officio Chairperson, the 
Secretary of the Department of Education as ex officio Vice Chairperson and the 
following members: the President of the University of the Philippines, the Executive 
Director of PSHS, the Director of Science Education Institute, the President of the 
PSHS National Alumni Association, and the Chairpersons of the Committees on 
Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives as ex officio 
members: and one (1) representative each from the private sector representing higher


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education, child development professionals or practitioners, industry, agriculture and
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new emerging technologies. The private sector representatives shall be appointed by
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the BOT upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The private
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sector representatives shall serve a tenure of four (4) years.
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The Board shall exercise the following powers:
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a) Ensure that the provisions of the laws pertaining to the creation and
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operation of the PSHS System are implemented;
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b) Approve policies and guidelines necessary in the establishment and
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operation of science high schools under the PSHS System in order to
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maintain the quality and uniform standard in all PSHS Campuses;
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c) Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director;
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d) Formulate policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under
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the PSHS System;
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e) 
Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students;
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f) 
Approve the grant and termination of PSHS scholarships including stipend
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and such allowances for students;
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g) Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS
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campuses;
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h) Approve the appointment of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director
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and Campus Director;
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i) Approve appointment, promotion, retention, renewal, rewards and incentives
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for faculty and non-teaching positions fix their compensation and other
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conditions of employment, and remove them for cause after proper
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investigation and hearing;
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j) Approve the extension of services of faculty members over the age of 65 up
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to 70 years of age and enjoy the rights and benefits under Republic Act 8439
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as amended by Republic Act No. 11312 otherwise known as Magna Carta
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for scientists, engineers, researchers and other science and technology
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personnel in the government.
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k) Draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and
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staff and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, create positions and fix
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and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees


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and to determine the minimum hours of services of faculty and such other
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terms and conditions of employment as it may deem proper.
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I) Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements, donations,
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contributions, bequests, gifts and to formulate policies for the administration
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thereof in accordance with applicable internal revenue laws;
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m) Approve the use of income generated by the PSHS System in the pursuit of
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its functions and donations received in trust by individual campuses
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according to the purpose of the donor and intention of the donation. In cases
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where income/donation received is not intended for a particular campus, the
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Board shall likewise appropriate the same for the benefit of the System or
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any part thereof;
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n) Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty and staff;
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o) Approve partnership of PSHS System with local and international
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institutions;
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p) Approve policies and guidelines to rationalize the establishment and
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operation of a campus under the System, for its assessment, evaluation and
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approval including the naming or renaming of existing or future PSHS
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Campuses;
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q) Approve criteria in the search for Executive Director, Deputy Executive
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Directors and Campus Directors, and the selection of teaching and non-
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teaching personnel;
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r) Shall have the discretion to create and reorganize the composition of the
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Executive committee; and
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s) Approve the organizational and governance structure of the PSHS System
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recommended by the ED.
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Sec. 8. Executive Director. There shall be an ED for the PSHS System who
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shall be appointed by the BOT and who shall have the rank of an Executive Director
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V, with a salary grade of 30. The ED shall have a tenure of five (5) years renewable for
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another term, but with a maximum of three (3) terms.
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The ED shall exercise academic and administrative supervision within the PSHS
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System and shall be the Chief Executive Officer and primary implementor of policies
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and guidelines set by the BOT.


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The ED shall perform the following roles and functions:
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a) Coordinate core curriculum planning activities and research-based
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development to be implemented by various campuses;
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b) Conduct a continuing evaluation of the implementation of the approved
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curriculum;
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c) Oversee research projects of PSHS campuses which shall include
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monitoring, coordinating and evaluating research programs of
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campuses;
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d) Manage the IP registration, prototype development and
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commercialization or adoption of research outputs of scholars and
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students;
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e) Provide legal and technical support to members of the PSHS System.
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Towards this end, the Office of the Executive Director shall be provided
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with legal and technical staff who shall provide legal, technical and
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administrative services to PSHS campuses;
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f) Establish strategic linkages and coordinate student and faculty exchange
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programs with foreign and local institutions to upgrade the level of
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expertise of both faculty and students;
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g) Facilitate networking among the campuses of the PSHS System with
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other institutions in terms of sharing of resources, expertise and
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equipment;
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h) Oversee the development of a system-wide outreach program to upgrade
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the teaching of STEM and provide support within the capabilities and
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resources of various science high school campuses;
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i) Recommend for approval of the BOT the organizational and governance
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structure of the PSHS System;
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j) Coordinate the implementation of BOT approved admission process,
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criteria and standards;
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k) Provide secretariat services to all BOT.
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The ED shall be provided with the necessary staff for the efficient and effective
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implementation of the above functions.
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In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the OED shall be provided with 
additional plantilla positions to be determined by the Executive Director and approved 
by the BOT.
Sec 9. Deputy Executive Director. There shall be three (3) Deputy Executive 
Directors with the rank of Deputy Executive Director IV and with salary grade 28 who 
shall be appointed by the BOT on the basis of a search process. They shall serve for 
a tenure of five (5) years, renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) 
terms.
Sec. 10. Campus Director. There shall be appointed a CD for each PSHS 
campus in the region by the PSHS System BOT with the rank of Director III with a 
salary grade of 27. The CD shall serve for a tenure of five (5) years, renewable for 
another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms on the basis of a search process.
The CD shall be the administrative and academic head of a campus and will be 
responsible for its smooth operations. The CD may constitute a consultative body 
which may act as a citizen’s arm to interpret the educational needs of the service area 
of the campus
Sec. 11. Executive Committee (Execom). There shall be an Executive 
Committee in the PSHS System composed of the ED as ex officio chairperson, DED 
as ex officio members and CD representatives as members. The Execom is collegial 
in nature.
Sec. 12. Facuity Members Qualification. Faculty members of the PSHS System 
shall be exempt from any civil service examination or regulations as a requisite to 
appointment. They shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be 
established by the BOT which shall include, if necessary and practicable, screening 
and competitive examination.


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Sec. 13. Curriculum. There shall be a PSHS System STEM Curriculum from 
Grades 7 to 10 and grades 11 to 12 which shall be recognized as Junior High School 
and Senior High School Levels respectively.
Sec. 14. Duty and Tax Exemptions. All grants, bequests, endowments, gifts, 
donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly and exclusively for 
educational purposes by the PSHS, shall be exempt from donor’s tax, and the same 
shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of 
computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the 
National Internal revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
The importation of scientific and research equipment for educational purposes 
made by the PSHS, upon certification by the DOST, shall be subject to the provisions 
of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff 
Act, and any exemption thereunder shall be granted upon compliance with the 
provisions thereon.
Sec. 15. Trust Fund. Income generated from school fees collected shall be 
reported and deposited to an authorized government depository bank as a trust fund 
of the PSHS System to be used for priority programs and activities.
Sec. 16. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. Should any provision of this Act or part hereof be 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall 
remain valid and effective.
Sec. 18. Transitory Provision. Upon approval of this law, the following 
incumbent key officials of the PSHS System shall acquire a new term of office, as 
follows:


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a) Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director, subject to meritorious 
performance and approval of the BOT, they are eligible to assume a 
maximum of three (3) terms;
b) Campus Directors, subject to meritorious performance and approval of the 
BOT, they are eligible to assume a maximum of three (3) terms.
Further, the PSHS BOT thru the Executive Committee shall submit a 
reclassification or staffing modification and/or position classification plan to fix the 
qualification and upgrade the salary grades of its personnel particularly of its faculty 
that will recognize their specialized science teacher status subject to the existing 
policies of the DBM and the CSC rules and regulations.
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. Republic Acts No. 3661,8496 and 9036 are hereby 
repealed. All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or portions thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 20. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.
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