Republic Act No. 12239

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12239, August 29, 2025 ]

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAGAC, PROVINCE OF BATAAN TO BE KNOWN AS THE BATAAN HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPORTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Bataan High School for Sports Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the sustained development of young Filipinos whose skills in the field of sports shall be encouraged and honed through education and specialized training programs. To this end, the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education and training to advance the athletic talents and improve the skills among the youth and promote the growth and development of young athletes nationwide.

Section 3. Establishment of the Bataan High School for Sports. - There is hereby established a high school for sports in the Municipality of Bagac, Province of Bataan to be known as the Bataan High School for Sports, hereinafter referred to as the School.

The School shall be administered and supervised by the Department of Education (DepEd), in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the National Academy of Sports (NAS).

It shall be administered and operated in accordance with the policies, guidelines, and criteria to be issued by the NA System Board of Trustees, pursuant to Section 8(a) of Republic Act No. 11470 or "The National Academy of Sports" law.

Section 4. Mandate. - The School shall implement a general secondary education, as prescribed by Republic Act No. 10533 or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" to learners with considerable potential in sports in the Province of Bataan. The curriculum shall be contextualized in order to have significant emphasis on developing the athletic skills of the learners through subjects pertaining to physical educations and sports.

Section 5. Powers and Functions. - The School shall exercise the following powers and functions:

(a) Formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs that shall promote the development and harness the potential of high school learners;

(b) Provide an integrated framework to optimize the potential of its learners;

(c) Establish sports programs and facilities that shall be accessible to learners;

(d) Promote strategic partnerships and alliances between and among local and international sports organizations and educational training institutions to enhance the competitiveness of learners and personnel;

(e) Develop plans and programs that shall enhance the career advancement opportunities of school personnel;

(f) Establish guidelines for public-private partnerships in the implementation of sports programs of the School; and

(g) Perform such other functions as may be required to implement the objectives of this Act.

Section 6. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - 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.

Section 7. Sectoral and Industry Task Forces. - The School may create sectoral and industry task forces, technical working groups, advisory bodies or committees for the furtherance of its objectives.

The members of the sectoral and industry task forces may come from the agencies of the national government, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local government units, the academe, civil society organizations, sports organizations, and sports-related industrial organizations. The manner of selection of such members shall be provided under the implementing rules and regulations to be formulated to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the Department's program the operationalization of the Bataan High School for Sports, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Schools Division Office of the Province of Bataan. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the School shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the PSC, the NAS, and the local government of the Province of Bataan, shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act. Such implementing rules and regulations shall provide for the School's organization, administration, operations, and management, in accordance with Republic Act No. 9155 or the "Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001". Republic Act No. 10533, Republic Act No. 11470, and other basic education-related laws.

Section 10. 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.ℒαwρhi৷

Section 11. 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 modified accordingly.

Section 12. 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
President of the Senate (SGD.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House of Representatives on December 12, 2023, amended by the Senate of the Philippines on June 9, 2025, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on June 10, 2025.

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.
Secretary of the Senate (SGD.) REGINALD S. VELASCO
Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: AUG 29 2025

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

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