President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed a series of laws establishing independent national high schools in Zamboanga and Davao regions by separating them from existing school extensions.
Republic Act (RA) No. 12057 designates the Paulino Dari National High School (PDNHS) – Balong-balong Extension in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur, as an independent school, now named Balong-balong National High School.
Under RA No. 12058, Bacungan National High School-Sipakong Extension in Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, will also operate independently and be renamed Sipakong National High School.
Similarly, RA No. 12059 separates the Lapuyan National High School-Sampang Extension in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, which will now be known as Pampang National High School.
In Davao Oriental, RA No. 12060 establishes a new school, Tiblawan National High School, to be funded as part of the annual national budget.
All personnel, assets, liabilities, and records of the newly independent schools will be transferred from their former institutions as mandated by law. Initial funding will come from this year’s school budget, with additional funding included in future General Appropriations Acts (GAA).
President Marcos instructed the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) to expedite the integration of these schools into the department’s programs.
DepEd has 90 days from the law’s approval to develop implementing rules and regulations, including guidelines for administration and management in accordance with RA 9155, the “Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001,” and RA 10533, the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.”
