[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12297, September 15, 2025 ]
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BAYBAY CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPORTS IN BAYBAY CITY, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, 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 "Baybay City High School for Sports Act".
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizing the vital role of the youth in nation-building. To this end, it shall advance and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being through the promotion of physical education and sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training in international competitions; foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry; and develop athletes with a strong sense of patriotism and love of country. It shall likewise provide appropriate sports training and academic preparation to promote the holistic development of learners with athletic abilities, instill in them strong patriotic ideals, and prepare them for careers in sports.
Section 3. Establishment of the Baybay City High School for Sports. - The Baybay City High School for Sports, herein referred to as the School, is hereby established to advance the athletic talents and improve the skills of high school learners in Baybay City, Province of Leyte and its environs.
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 for Sports (NAS).
It shall be administered and operated in accordance with the policies, guidelines, and criteria to be issued by the NAS 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 Baybay City High School for Sports, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Schools Division Office of Baybay City. 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 Baybay City, 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: Lapsed into law on SEP 15 2025 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.
FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines
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