AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BAGUIO CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

• Number: Republic Act No. 12118
• Sections: 11

Section 1 Declaration of Policy.

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.

To this end, the State shall promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skill in culture and the arts shall be properly encouraged and honed through education and specialized training programs. The State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education and training to encourage the artistic talent and cultural aptitude of the Filipino youth as well as support and promote the development of young artists nationwide.

Section 2 Establishment of the Baguio City High School for the Arts.

SEC. 2. Establishment of the Baguio City High School for the Arts. - There is hereby established in the City of Baguio a specialized public high school that shall offer arts-focused education, to be known as the Baguio City High School for the Arts, herein referred to as the School.

The School shall be administered and supervised by the Department of Education (DepEd), in close coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The NCCA and the CCP shall provide policy direction and technical assistance to the School through the DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Office and the Schools Division Office of Baguio City.

Section 3 Mandate.

SEC. 3. Mandate. - The School shall implement a general secondary education curriculum, as prescribed by Republic Act No. 10533, or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013", to learners with considerable potential in the arts. The curriculum shall have significant emphasis on developing the talent, skill, and exceptional giftedness of learners, thereby nurturing potential artists while preserving and promoting Filipino heritage

Section 4 Organizational Structure and Staffing patters; Development Plan.

SEC. 4. Organizational Structure and Staffing patters; Development Plan. - The organizational structure and staffing pattern of the School shall be prescribed by the DepEd, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.

Within one hundred twenty (120) days upon the approval of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, the School shall submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding budgetary program to the DepEd, and set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure.

Section 5

SEC. 5. Authority to Receive Donations, Grants, and Other Gratuitous Transfers; Allowable Deductions and/or Exemptions. - The School head may receive donations, grants, bequests, legacies, devises, endowments, contributions, and other gratuitous transfers made to the School, which shall form part of the School fund to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the School, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Any donation, gift, bequest, legacy, devise, endowment, contribution, and other gratuitous transfers, in cash or in kind, made by individuals or organizations, public or private, local or foreign, shall be subject to applicable deductions and/or exemptions, in accordance with the pertinent provisions on donor's and estate taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Section 6 Suppletory Application.

SEC. 6. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 9155, or the "Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001", shall be made an integral part of this Act, and shall govern the administration and supervision of the School.

Section 7 Appropriations.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the Department's program the operationalization of the Baguio City High School for the Arts, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Schools Division Office of Baguio City. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the School shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 8 Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the NCCA, the CCP, and the local government of the City of Baguio, shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.

Section 9 Separability Clause.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10 Repealing Clause.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 11 Effectivity.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(SGD.) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO

(SGD.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

President of the Senate

Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House of Representatives on March 15, 2023, amended by the Senate of the Philippines on September 16, 2024, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on November 6, 2024.

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.

(SGD.) REGINALD S. VELASCO

Secretary of the Senate

Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: JAN 03 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.

President of the Philippines