Duterte signs 6 laws renaming, converting public schools

President Duterte has signed six laws that seek to rename and convert public schools in the provinces of Albay, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

The new measures included one legislation renaming a high school in Legazpi City, establishing a high school in Tabuk City, and converting four extension schools into an independent educational institution in Mountain Province.

The six new measures were signed by the President on March 12, and would take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper. Copies of the laws were released by the Palace Wednesday, March 17.

Republic Act No. 11526 seeks to change the name of Pag-Asa National High School in Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City, Albay into Legazpi City National High School. The main campus of the school will remain in its present location in Barangay Rawis.

Under Republic Act No. 11527, the Tabuk City National High School-Bantay Extension in Kalinga province will be separated from the Tabuk City National High School. The school will be converted into independent national high school that will be called Bantay National High School. 

Republic Act No. 11528 converts the Guinzadan National High School-Mayag Extension in Barangay Mayag, municipality of Bauko, Mountain Province into the Mayag National High School.

Other laws signed by the President are Republic Act No. 11529 converting Lubon National High School-Mabalite Extension in Mountain Province to Mabalite National High School; Republic Act No. 11530 converting Dalanao Elementary School - Dabburab-Dalanao Extension in Mountain Province into Wellie Maclinic Elementary School; and Republic Act No. 11531 converting Guina-ang National High School-Mainit extension in Mountain Province to Mainit National High School.

The school-related laws directed the Secretary of Education to include in the department's program the operationalization of the schools and include the funding allocation in the annual national budget.