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Republic of the Philippines Ce :
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 REC: EIVED
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 13 00

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A solid foundation in science and technology education is essential, especially when
developing the nation's future scientists who will truly serve the Filipino people. The State
recognizes the value of science and technology education as a tool for advancement. Article
XIV of the Philippine Constitution makes it clear that it is the government's responsibility to
ensure that Filipino students can exercise their right to quality and accessible education, follow
their interests in science and research, invention and innovation. The Philippine Science High
School (PSHS) Act of 1997, also known as RA 8498, was passed to achieve this goal to
rationalize, integrate, and take charge of secondary level science and technology education.

The PSHS system has begun to expand across the nation since it was first established
as a single campus at Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City, to accommodate more government
scholars. While the main campus offers eight classes every batch, the regional campuses only
provide three classes per batch, with a maximum of 30 students in each class. The regional
campuses not only have fewer classes per batch, but the current system only permits one (1)
PSHS school per region. This restriction contradicts the significance of fostering interest in
science and technology education and runs contrary to the constitutional duty and purpose of
providing quality education that is accessible to all.

This bill seeks toamend the scope of RA 8498 to permit and encourage the
establishment of more PSHS campuses throughout the nation. By creating as many campuses
as necessary to serve worthy students across the country, we can increase access to free, top-
notch science education and foster innovation. More training facilities are needed to encourage
Filipino students to pursue science, research, invention, and innovation for the benefit of the
country.

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In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is €amnestly sought.

SARTE SALCEDA

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

1300

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

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 Philippines in 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 and Technology
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 pupils.

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 three (3)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
guidelines/criteria set by the PSHS System Board of Trustees. After 10 years upon
implementation of this law, the PSHS System Board of Trustees (BoT) may consider
establishment of more than three (3) PSHS campuses per region.

SEC. 3. Objectives. ~ In implementing the foregoing policy, the State shall pursue the
following objectives:

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(a) Establish a science high school that offers on a free scholarship basis a secondary
course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to each student for a Science and
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics;

(b) Establish campuses that are geographically-accessible to the public;

(c) Ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematic operations of schools under
the PSHS system;

(d) Rationalize the establishment of science high schools as defined in this Act;

(e) Integrate the existing and future campuses into one system of governance and
management;

(f) Ensure that students with high aptitude in science and mathematics are given equal
scholarship opportunities to enroll in the Philippine Science High School System; and

(g) Increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate courses
to conduct researches and to become leaders in the field of science, technology, engineering
and mathematics.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. —

a) Philippine Science High School System (PSHS) ~ are secondary schools offering
scholarships to deserving students who shall be admitted and trained under a curriculum
specially designed to prepare them for careers in Science and Technology, Engineering &
Mathematics.

b) Philippine Science High School (PSHS System) — comprise the Office of the
Executive Director and the PSHS campuses under its supervision.

©) Term —refers to the “term of office” with a duration of five (5) years in each term.

SEC. 5. Scope. ~ The Philippine Science High School System shall be composed of the
existing PSHS campuses herein mentioned and future campuses which shall be established
under this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be known as follows:

(1) Philippine Science High School - Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City

(2) Philippine Science High School - Davao Region Campus in Davao City, formerly
PSHS - Southern Mindanao Campus

(3) Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus in Hoilo City, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus

(4) Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus

(5) Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya,
formerly PSHS - Cagayan Valley Campus

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(6) PSHS - Northern Mindanao Campus in Lanao del Norte, formerly Philippine
Science High School - Central Mindanao Campus

(7) Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus in Camarines Sur, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus

(8) Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus in Ilocos Sur, formerly
Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus

(9) Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus in Cebu, formerly,
Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus

(10) Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Clark Freeport Zone,
formerly Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus

(11) Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus in
Baguio City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative
Region Campus

(12) Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN Region Campus in
Koronadal City, formerly Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKARGEN
Region Campus

(13) Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus in Butuan City,
formerly Philippine Science High School - CARAGA Region Campus

(14) Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus in Batangas
City, formerly Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus

(15) Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus in Romblon,
formerly Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus

(16) Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus in
Dipolog City, formerly Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region Campus”

In the establishment of future PSHS campuses, the Board of Trustees shall set up in the
following locations provided that, there shall only be one (1) campus to be established in a
province and shall pass the guidelines/criteria set by the BoT:

(a) Daraga, Albay

(b) Iguig, Cagayan

(c) Bacoor City, Cavite

(d) Reina Mercedes, Isabela

(©) Sta. Rosa, Laguna

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(f) Aborlan, Palawan
(g) Kalibo, Aklan

(h) Ubay, Bohol

(i) Malaybalay, Bukidnon

() Madalum, Lanao del Sur

(k) Masinloc, Zambales

()) Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur

New campuses established under this act shall be integrated in their respective regions
as provided under this Act.

SEC. 6. Restriction on the Conversion of High Schools into a Philippine Science High
School System, — In addition to the guidelines/criteria that may be established by the PSHS
Board of Trustees in the establishment and operation of Philippine Science High School
Systems, the conversion and inclusion of existing high schools into the PSHS system shall not
be allowed in order to maintain the quality and uniform standard inherent of a bona fide PSHS.

SEC. 7. Overall Coordinating Authority. - The PSHS System shall be under the
administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The Board
of Trustees shall be the Governing Board of all the PSHS campus wherever situated.

SEC. 8. PSHS Board of Trustees, ~ There shall be a Board of Trustees composed of the
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as ex officio Chairperson, the
Secretary of 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 (SEI), the President from 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 education, education for the gifted, industry,
agriculture and new emerging technologies. The private sector representatives shall be
appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of a duly constituted search
committee. As much as practicable, the private sector representatives shall come from various
geographic regions. For the first set of appointments, three (3) of them shall serve for four (4)
years, while the other two (2) for two (2) years, thereafter, succeeding appointments shall a
fixed term of four (4) years.

The Board shall exercise the following powers:

(a) Ensure that the provisions of the Laws pertaining to the creation and operation of
the PSHS System are enforced/ implemented;

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(b) Approve policies and guidelines necessary in the establishment and operation of
science high schools under the PSHS System in order to maintain the quality and uniform
standard in all PSHS Campuses;

(c) Approve the curricula submitted by the Executive Director;

(d) Approve policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under the PSHS
System;

(e) Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students;

() Approve the grant and termination of PSHS scholarships including stipend and such
allowances for students;

(g) Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various PSHS campuses;

(h) Recommend to the DOST Secretary the appointment of Executive Director, Deputy
Executive Director(s) and Campus Director(s);

(i) Approve appointment, promotion, retention, renewal, rewards and incentives for
faculty, fix their compensation and other conditions of employment, and remove them for cause
after proper investigation and hearing;

(i) Appoint professorial lecturers up to 70 years of age;

(k) Draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff,
and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to create positions and fix and adjust salaries and
benefits of the faculty members and other employees and to determine the minimum hours of
service of faculty and such other terms and conditions of employment as it may deem proper;

() Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements thereof; donations,
contributions, bequests, gifts, and to formulate policies for the administration thereof in
accordance with applicable internal revenue laws;

(m) Approve the use of income generated by the PSHS System in the pursuit of its
functions and donations received in trust by individual campuses, according to the purpose of
the donor and intention of the donation. In cases where income/donation received is not
intended for a particular campus, the Board shall likewise appropriate the same for the benefit
of the System or any part thereof;

(a) Approve policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty and staff;

(0) Approve partnership of PSHS System with international institutions; and

(p) Approve policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment and operation of
science high schools under the System, for its assessment, evaluation and approval including

the naming or renaming of existing or future PSHS Campuses;

SEC. 9. Executive Director (ED). — There shall be an Executive Director for PSHS
‘System who shall be appointed by the DOST Secretary upon the recommendation of the Board

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of Trustees and shall have the rank of an Executive Director V, with a Salary Grade of 30 and
with a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for another term but with a maximum of three
(3) terms at the option of the PSHS System Board of Trustees.

The ED shall exercise academic and administrative supervision within the Philippine
Science High School System and shall be the Chief Executive Officer and primary
implementor of policies and guidelines set by the Board of Trustees. As a member of the Board
of Trustees, they shall articulate to the Board the concerns of the PSHS System.

The ED shall act as the head of the procuring entity in the Office of the Executive
Director.

In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the ED office shall be provided with
additional plantilla positions to be determine by the Executive Director and approved by the
BoT.

SEC. 10. 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 DOST Secretary upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees on
the basis of a search process. They shall serve for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for
another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms at the discretion of the Board. The DED
shall perform duties assigned by the Executive Director.

SEC. 11. Campus Director. ~ There shall be a Campus Director for each PSHS campus
in the region who shall be appointed by the PSHS System BoT with the rank of Director IV
with a Salary Grade 28 on the basis of a search process. He/She shall serve for a fixed term of
five (5) years, renewable for another term but with a maximum of three (3) terms.

The Campus Director shall be given the option to occupy a Special Science Teacher VI
with the Salary Grade of 26 upon the end of his/her term. The CD shall implement the academic
programs, plans and activities of the PSHS Campus. The CD shall act as the Head of the
Procuring Entity in the campus.

SEC. 12. Executive Committee. — There shall be an Executive Committee in the PSHS
System composed of the Executive Director as ex officio chairperson and the Campus
Directors as members.

SEC. 13. Extension of Tenure. ~PSHS faculty members shall be considered as scientists
under the provisions of RA 8439 as amended by RA. No.11312 otherwise known as “Magna
Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in
the Government”.

SEC. 14. Exemption from Tax. ~ Gifts and donations of real and personal properties of
all kinds shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable
deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with applicable internal revenue
laws;”

SEC. 15. Teacher's Qualification. - Appointment to Special Science Teacher I shall be
exempt from CSC Eligibility and can stay in the said rank for a maximum of three (3) years.

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Appointments to Special Science Teacher II and above shall require CSC eligibility or
professional license recognized by the Philippine Regulatory Commission.

Said professors, instructors and faculty members, as well as the school's administrative
staff, shall be exempt from the provisions of laws, rules and regulations on wage and position
classification.

SEC. 16. Patriot Formation Program. — To foster nationalism and patriotism,
accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development, PSHS
personnel and scholars shall undergo patriot formation program to instill the core values of
professional excellence, social responsibility and servant leadership to recognize their vital role
in nation building and contribute to inclusive development.

SEC. 17. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act with a
minimum allocation of 200 Million pesos per additional campus, to be adjusted for inflation,
for one academic building and one dormitory building. Thereafter, sufficient appropriation as
may be needed for the continuous operation of the Philippine Science High School System
shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act for the continuous offering of
secondary STEM education on scholarship basis.”

SEC. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BOT shall formulate, within
ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Act, and issue the necessary Implementing Rules and
Regulations to carry out the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 19. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act Nos. 3661, 8436 and 9036 are hereby
repealed. All laws, proclamations, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 21. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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