Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4837
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LORNA P. BAUTISTA-BANDIGAN

Article 14 of the Philippine Constitution states 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. Provide adult citizens,
the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency
and other skills.” Thus, the highest law of the land expressly affirms that education
is a primordial and fundamental mandate to the State that cannot be evaded without
just reason.

Filipinos place a very high premium in education. Many parents and
students believe it is the rite of passage to a better life. So much so, that parents are
willing to go to all lengths in order to see their children graduate. To them who are
truly poor, education is the only hope they have to get up from the quagmire of their
dismal condition. This reality resonates at the core of our government system, that
education has always been at the top of the national administration's priority when
it comes to allotting the budget for national development.

Formal education started in the barangay as early as 1950. Barangay Bukid
is very far from central barangays. The above rationale justifies the filing of this Bill
that will work towards the conversion of the Bukid Elementary School in the
Municipality of Jose Abad Santos into Bukid Integrated School. The schools, which
are proximate to Bukid Elementary School, are quite a distance. For instance, the
distance of Bukid Elementary School to Camalian Elementary School is 2.15
kilometers away, while the Balangonan National High School is 10.4 kilometers and
because the vehicles plying the route are few and far between, most of the students
traverse these schools by foot. From Bukid Elementary School to Camalian
Elementary School is something like two hours during the dry season and a few
minutes more during the rainy season, while Bukid Elementary School to
Balangonan National High School is nearly half a day walk and more during the wet


season. If ever the students were lucky enough to take a ride, they were charged
exorbitant price for their fares.

Most of the people living in Barangay Bukid are engaged in farming and
fishing as their means of living. Because of this, most of the elementary graduates
have decided to get married at an early age and then settle down to the menial jobs
their parents had like working in the farms and in coconut plantations.

It is hope the approval of this Bill will give the people of Barangay Bukid in
Jose Abad Santos a new lease in like through the opportunity afforded by better
education.

LORNA P. TISTA-BANDIGAN
Representative
Lone District - Davao Occidental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4837

Introduced by: HON. LORNA P. BAUTISTA-BANDIGAN

AN ACT CONVERTING THE BUKID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY
BUKID, MUNICIPALITY OF JOSE ABAD SANTOS, PROVINCE OF DAVAO
OCCIDENTAL INTO AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BUKID
INTEGRATED SCHOOL AND APPOPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. The Bukid Elementary School in Barangay Bukid, Municipality of Jose
Abad Santos, Province of Davao Occidental is hereby converted into an integrated
school to be known as Bukid Integrated School.

SEC. 2. All personnel, assets, liabilities, and records of the Bukid Elementary
School are hereby transferred to and absorbed by the Bukid Integrated School.

SEC. 3 The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the
Department's program the operationalization of the Bukid Integrated School, the funding
of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act,
the Secretary of Education shall formulate the rules and regulations implementing the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5 This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,