Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.___ 5219.

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution “The State shall
give priority to education, xxx to 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).

The Ormoc City Division is composed of 83 elementary schools
and 16 secondary schools. The 83 elementary schools serve a total of
31,286 pupils whereas the 16 secondary schools serve a total of 15,727
students. Given these two (2) ratios of schools and students, clearly there
is now an acute lack secondary schools. As a result of this great
disproportion, the Ormoc City National High School — the central
secondary institution — is suffering from heavy congestion. 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.

It is for this reason that this measure calls for the establishment of a
separate/new national high school in Barangay San Antonio, 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 fo graduation), Canuntog Elementary
School (with 288 enrollees, including 37 Grade Six level pupils), and the
San Antonio Elementary School (with 333 enrollees, including 60 Grade
Six level pupils).

The early approval of this bill therefore is earnestly requested.

al

Representative
Fourth District of Leyte

OMEZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._5219

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY
SAN ANTONIO, CITY OF ORMOC IN THE PROVINCE OF
LEYTE TO BE KNOWN AS SAN ANTONIO 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 San
Antonio, City of Ormoc in the Province of Leyte to be known as San
Antonio National High School.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in
the Department’s program the operationalization of the San Antonio
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,