Duterte signs laws creating 5 new independent schools

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed laws converting five schools into independent schools.

Duterte signed Republic Acts 11527, 11528, 11529, 11530, and 11531 on March 12.

RA 11527 separates the Tabuk City National High School-Bantay Extension in Tabuk City, Kalinga from the Tabuk City National High School.

“The Tabuk City National High School Bantay Extension in Barangay Bantay, Tabuk City, Province of Kalinga is hereby separated from the Tabuk City National High School and converted into an independent national high school to be known as Bantay National High School,” according to RA 11527.

Under RA 11528, Guinzadan National High School-Mayag Extension in Bauko, Mountain Province is renamed as Mayag National High School after being separated from the Guinzadan National High School.

Another law, RA 11529, changes the name of Lubon National High School-Mabalite Extension in Tadian, Mountain Province into Mabalite National High School after Duterte decided to convert it into an independent national high school.

RA 11530 also converts Dalanao Elementary School-Dabburab-Dalanao Extension in Bacarri village in Paracelis, Mountain Province into an independent elementary school and will now be known as Wellie Maclinic Elementary School.

Guina-Ang National High School-Mainit Extension in Bontoc, Mountain Province, according to RA 11531, is now converted into an independent national high school and renamed as Mainit National High School.

The laws mandate the transfer of all personnel, assets, liabilities and records of the schools.

The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) is also required to include in the Department’s program the operationalization of the schools, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the schools.

“Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the school[s] shall be included in the General Appropriations Act,” the laws read.

The DepEd Secretary is also tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within 120 days after the approval of the laws.

RAs 11527, 11528, 11529, 11530, and 11531 take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Duterte also signs RA 11526 on March 12, renaming Pag-asa National High School in Rawis village in Legazpi City, Albay to Legazpi National High School.

“The main campus of the Legazpi City National High School shall continue to remain in its present location in Barangay Rawis, City of Legazpi, Province of Albay,” the law, which also takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, said.

Palace released a copy of the laws on Wednesday.