AN ACT EXPANDING THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL (PSHS) SYSTEM, FURTHER STRENGTHENING ITS GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8496 OR THE "PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM ACT OF 1997", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12310, October 03, 2025 ]

AN ACT EXPANDING THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL (PSHS) SYSTEM, FURTHER STRENGTHENING ITS GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8496 OR THE "PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM ACT OF 1997", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote science and technology (S&T), research and development, invention, innovation, and utilization. The Stare recognizes the need to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, training, and services, and support appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities and their application to increase productivity and enhance the quality of life for everyone. To this end, the State hereby established a PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in secondary STEM education.

Section 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to achieve the following objectives:

Section 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

Section 5. Establishment and Expansion of the PSHS. - A PSHS System shall be established under the administrative supervision of the DOST composed of at least two (2) PSHS campuses in each administrative region of the country: Provided, That PSHS campuses within the same region shall not be situated in the same province or city in the case of the National Capital Region: Provided, further, That the establishment of additional campuses shall be subject to a comprehensive review based on need, demand, and other criteria determined by the PSHS Board.

Section 6. PSHS System Campuses. - The PSHS System shall be composed of the existing PSHS campuses and future campuses that shall be established pursuant to this Act. The existing sixteen (16) campuses shall be known as follows:

A new Philippine Science High School campus in the Negros Island Region shall also be established.

In the establishment of future PSHS campuses, the PSHS System Board of Trustees may consider the following locations: First District of Aklan; Polangui, Albay; Ubay, Bohol; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur; Third District of Cagayan; General Santos City, South Cotabato; and Bukidnon.

Section 7. Restriction on the Conversion and Inclusion of High Schools into a PSHS Campus. - The conversion and inclusion of existing high schools into the PSHS System shall not be allowed.

Section 8. Creation of the PSHS Board of Trustees. - There shall be created a Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the following members:

The private sector representatives shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The private sector representatives shall serve a term of four (4) years.

Section 9. Powers and Functions of the PSHS Board of Trustees. -The Board shall exercise the following powers and functions:

Section 10. Executive Director. - The PSHS System shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall exercise academic and administrative supervision over all campuses and coordinate the implementation of policies and guidelines set by the Board.

The Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the Board for a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed for another term of six (6) years in accordance with the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act, must have an advanced degree in the field of STEM and substantial experience in managing an educational institution. The Executive Director shall have the rank, privileges, and emoluments of Director V and a salary grade of thirty (30).

The Executive Director shall be allowed to complete the term of six (60 years even upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement but shall no longer be eligible for reappointment for another term.

Section 11. Duties and Functions of the Executive Director. - The Executive Director shall perform the following duties and functions:

In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the office of the Executive Director shall be provided with additional plantilla positions to be determined by the Executive Director and approved by the Board.

Section 12. Deputy Executive Directors. - There shall be three (3) Deputy Executive Directors, with the rank of Director IV and a salary grade of twenty-eight (28) who shall assist the Executive Director, under the following services: (a) Academic and Student Services; (b) Administration and Finance; and (c) Research, Innovation and Linkages. The Deputy Executive Directors shall be appointed by the Board for a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed for another term of six (6) years in accordance with the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the IRR of this Act, preferably holding an advanced degree in the field of STEM, and substantial experience in managing an educational institution.

The Board shall define the scope of their respective offices and their duties and functions.

The Deputy Executive Directors shall be allowed to complete the term of six (6) years even upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement but shall no longer be eligible for reappointment for another term.

Section 13. Campus Directors of the PSHS System Campuses. - Each PSHS campus shall have a Campus Director who shall serve as the administrative and academic head and shall be responsible for day-to-day operations. The Campus Director may constitute a consultative body to act as a citizen's arm to assess and determine the educational needs of the campus service area.

The Campus Director shall be appointed by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, for a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed for another term of six (6) years in accordance with the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the IRR of this Act, preferably holding an advanced degree in the field of STEM, and substantial experience in managing an educational institution.

The Campus Director shall be allowed to complete the term of six (6) years even upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement but shall no longer be eligible for reappointment for another term.

Section 14. Filling-Up of Vacancy. - In the event of a vacancy in the position of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Campus Director, the replacement or new appointee's term of office shall be considered as a new appointment and shall serve for a full term.

Section 15. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Executive Director shall prepare the organizational structure and staffing pattern required for the expanded PSHS System, including additional plantilla positions, reclassification or staffing modifications, and qualifications of the PSHS System personnel in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System, civil service laws, rules, regulations, and other relevant issuances, taking into consideration the specialized science teacher status of faculty members.

Upon approval of the Board, the organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for review and approval. The PSHS System shall retain its existing organizational structure and staffing pattern pending approval by the DBM.

Section 16. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the Executive Director as ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Executive Directors as ex officio members, and the Campus Directors and such other ranking PSHS System faculty members or officials as the Board may deem necessary, as members.

The Executive Committee shall develop and conduct a periodic review of the PSHS System curriculum and other training programs, and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as the Board may prescribe.

Section 17. Faculty Members Qualification. - Faculty members of the PSHS's System shall be exempt from any civil service examination or regulations as a requisite to appointment.The same shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be formulated and approved by the Board, such as, but not limited to, screening and conduct of competitive examinations.

Section 18. Exemption from Tax. - All grants, bequests, endowments, gifts, donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the PSHS System shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8424 or the "National Internal Revenue Code of 1997", as amended.

Upon certification by the DOST, the importation of scientific and research equipment for educational purposes made by the PSHS System shall be exempt from the payment of taxes and customs duties in accordance with Republic Act No. 10863 or the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)". Any taxes and duties on importations not covered by the said exemption shall be chargeable against the Tax Expenditure Fund under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Section 19. Fallback Position. - At the end of two (2) consecutive terms, the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or Campus Director may opt to remain with the PSHS System and occupy the highest faculty rank.

Section 20. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the following incumbent key officials of the PSHS System shall acquire new terms of office:

Section 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PSHS System. Thereafter, such amount as may be needed for its continued operation shall be included in the annual GAA.

Section 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 24. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 3661 or "An Act to Establish the Philippine Science High School", and Republic Act No. 8496 or the "Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act of 1997", as amended by Republic Act No. 9036, are hereby repealed. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

Section 32. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publications in the Official Gazette or in the two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2974 and House Bill No. 9726, was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on June 9, 2025 and June 10, 2025, respectively.

Approved: OCT 03 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines