Marcos signs laws for separation of school extensions

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has inked several laws separating various school extensions and converting them into independent institutions.

Under Republic Act No. 12057, the Paulino Dari National High School (PDNHS) – Balong-balong Extension in Pitogo, Zamboanga Del Sur will be separated from the PDNHS and it will be established as an independent school.

It will be named as Balong-balong National High School.

On the other hand, Republic Act No. 12058 mandates the separation of Bacungan National High School-Sipakong Extension in Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga Del Norte, which will be renamed as Sipakong National High School.

Republic Act No. 12059, meanwhile, provides for the separation of Lapuyan NHS-Pampang Extension in Lapuyan, Zamboanga Del Sur. It will now be called Pampang NHS.

The creation of the new and independent NHS shall absorb all of their personnel, assets, liabilities, and records, the Presidential Communications Office said.

The initial funding of these schools shall be charged against its former institutions’ current year appropriation, the PCO added. 

Moreover, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the school shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The President also issued Republic Act No. 12060, establishing Tiblawan NHS in Davao Oriental. The funding of which shall be included in the annual national budget.

The Department of Education is then directed by Marcos to immediately include the operationalization of the four schools in the agency's program.

All the laws were signed by Marcos on October 31, 2024 and shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. —AOL, GMA Integrated News