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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate bill expanding Philippine Science High School OK'd on third reading

Senate bill expanding Philippine Science High School OK'd on third reading

Published Jun 3, 2025 07:11 am

At A Glance

  • Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, author and sponsor of the measure, said he hopes to see PSHS catering to "more students deserving of the PhiSci brand of education."
  • The bill seeks to establish at least one PHSH campus in each region, excluding the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Senate bill seeking to expand the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campuses and make them more accessible to high school students nationwide has been approved on third and final reading.


Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2974, otherwise known as the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act, was approved during the Senate’s plenary session on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, sponsor of the bill, said the enactment of SBN 2974 into law would allow more high school students with exceptional aptitude for science and mathematics to enroll in PSHS campuses across the country.

Zubiri said currently the Philippine Science High School Act allows for one PSHS campus per administrative region. The total 16 PSHS campuses across the country serve over 10,600 students.

“The Second Congressional Commission on Education report disclosed a very disappointing statistic: since 2022, the Philippine Science High School system has turned away a total of 5,807 qualified students from enrolling in the school. These kids did not fail. They met all the qualifications and they passed the notoriously difficult Pisay (PSHS) admission tests but were turned away because they have no room left,” Zubiri said.

He explained also that expanding the PSHS System Act would allow thousands of deserving high school students to enroll at PSHS campuses nationwide.

“Under our proposed measure, we are allowing for the establishment of up to two Philippine Science High School campuses for every region—excluding the National Capital Region, which already has a bigger campus compared to others, but including the Negros Island Region, which does not yet have its own campus,” Zubiri explained.

He said the measure ensures that these regional campuses are not built in the same provinces, in order to democratize PSHS and give more students a chance to apply for and enter the school.

“After 15 years, we will again allow for the establishment of additional campuses, upon a comprehensive review of the educational demands in a particular region,” he said.

The measure also aims to increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), undertake research and development or pursue careers in Science and Technology (S&T).

Furthermore, the bill also aims to consolidate existing and future campuses under a unified system of governance and management to ensure a consistent quality standard and efficient operation as well as support the holistic development of scholars, faculty and staff.

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Senate of the Philippines Philippine Science High School Migz Zubiri
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