The third district of Zamboanga del Norte may soon get its first science high school.
The House Committee on Basic Education approved on Thursday Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Isagani Amatong's House Bill (HB) No. 4226 which sought to establish a science high school in the municipality of Siocon in the district.
Sponsoring the measure during the virtual meeting was Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., since Amatong wasn't around.
"This bill was initially deliberated upon during the online hearing of the Committee on Basic Education last May 20, 2020. However, the DepEd (Department of Education) recommended that instead of creating a science high school, the existing Siocon National High School should just be converted into a science high school instead," Gato noted.
"After consultation with the principal of the Siocon National High School and with the stakeholders, Congressman Amatong agrees with the recommendations of DepEd," he said.
Gato moved to have HB No.4226 retitled, "an Act converting the Siocon National High School in the Municipality of Siocon, Province of Zamboanga Del Norte into a science high school to be known as the Siocon Science High School and appropriating funds therefor."
"It is also noteworthy that all the requirements for the conversion of a school has been submitted to the committee already," the Batanes solon said.
A motion to approve the measure on the committee level followed and was swiftly carried by the chairman, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, after no one opposed it.
A DepEd representative in the hearing said that out of the 51 national high schools in Zamboanga del Norte's third district, there was yet no science high school. The particular district is composed of 12 municipalities.
"The establishment of the Siocon Science High School in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, with emphasis on the sciences, is intended to make readily available by reason of proximity, educational programs and facilities of the state, in places where they are strategically needed by its youth, in particular, and the community in general," Amatong wrote in the explanatory note of his bill.