Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution “The State shall give priority to 
education, xxx foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and 
promote total human liberation and development” (Sec. 17, Art. II). It further provides 
that “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education 
at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all 
(Sec. 1, Art. XIV). And it also mandates that “The State shall: (1) Establish, maintain, 
and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the 
needs of the people and society (Sec. 2 [1], Art. XIV, all italics supplied). 
In Ormoc City, there is a tremendous shortfall in junior and senior high 
schools. To point out, in SY 2019-2020, the Ormoc City Division has 83 elementary 
schools, 19 junior high schools and 15 senior high schools. The 83 elementary schools 
serve a total of 27,835 pupils whereas the 19 junior high school serve a total of 1,282 
students, and the 15 senior high schools serve 3,687 students.  
This disproportionate gap in educational capacity has resulted in heavy 
congestion at the Ormoc City National High School – the central secondary 
institution. The situation is no longer conducive to optimal learning. It is failing the 
adequacy test mentioned in the fundamental charter. The overpopulation is now 
depriving students of their right to access quality education. The effects of such lack 
of capacity would be devastating on the economy in the medium and long terms. 
It is for this reason that this measure calls for the establishment of a 
separate/new national high school in Barangay Macabug, Ormoc City. The proposed 
new high school is not within the 1-2 kilometer radius from the nearest secondary 
school, hence, would be viable. Its feeder schools would include the Macabug 
Elementary School (with 508 enrollees, including 76 graduating pupils), the Mabini 
Elementary School (with 175 enrollees, including 24 Junior High School pupils), the 
Mahayahay Primary School (with 88 enrollees, including 9 prospective Junior High 
School pupils), the Quezon Jr. Elementary School (with 218 enrollees, including 30 
candidate pupils for graduation), Canuntog Elementary School (with 288 enrollees, 
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including 37 Grade Six level pupils), and the San Antonio Elementary School (with 
333 enrollees, including 60 Grade Six level pupils).   
This measure was first introduced in the Seventeenth Congress. The urgent 
approval of this bill therefore is earnestly requested. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY 
MACABUG, CITY OF ORMOC IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE TO BE 
KNOWN AS MACABUG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. There is hereby established, under the supervision of the 
Department of Education, a national high school in Barangay Macabug, City of 
Ormoc in the Province of Leyte to be known as Macabug National High School. 
SEC. 2. The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the 
Department’s program the operationalization of the Macabug National High School, 
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
SEC. 3. The Secretary of Education shall issue rules and regulations necessary 
to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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