AN ACT EXPANDING THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL (PSHS) SYSTEM, FURTHER STRENGTHENING ITS GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8496 OR THE "PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM ACT OF 1997", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

In view of the expansion of the PSHS System, the office of the Executive Director shall be provided with additional plantilla positions to be determined by the Executive Director and approved by the Board. SEC. 12. Deputy Executive Directors. - There shall be three (3) Deputy Executive Directors, with the rank of Director IV and a salary grade of twenty-eight (28) who shall assist the Executive Director, under the following services: (a) Academic and Student Services; (b) Administration and Finance; and (c) Research, Innovation and Linkages. The Deputy Executive Directors shall be appointed by the Board for a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed for another term of six (6) years in accordance with the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the IRR of this Act, preferably holding an advanced degree in the field of STEM, and substantial experience in managing an educational institution. The Board shall define the scope of their respective offices and their duties and functions. The Deputy Executive Directors shall be allowed to complete the term of six (6) years even upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement but shall no longer be eligible for reappointment for another term. SEC. 13. Campus Directors of the PSHS System Campuses. - Each PSHS campus shall have a Campus Director who shall serve as the administrative and academic head and shall be responsible for day-to-day operations. The Campus Director may constitute a consultative body to act as a citizen's arm to assess and determine the educational needs of the campus service area. The Campus Director shall be appointed by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, for a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed for another term of six (6) years in accordance with the guidelines and qualifications set forth in the IRR of this Act, preferably holding an advanced degree in the field of STEM, and substantial experience in managing an educational institution. The Campus Director shall be allowed to complete the term of six (6) years even upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement but shall no longer be eligible for reappointment for another term. SEC. 14. Filling-Up of Vacancy. - In the event of a vacancy in the position of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Campus Director, the replacement or new appointee's term of office shall be considered as a new appointment and shall serve for a full term. SEC. 15. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Executive Director shall prepare the organizational structure and staffing pattern required for the expanded PSHS System, including additional plantilla positions, reclassification or staffing modifications, and qualifications of the PSHS System personnel in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System, civil service laws, rules, regulations, and other relevant issuances, taking into consideration the specialized science teacher status of faculty members. Upon approval of the Board, the organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for review and approval. The PSHS System shall retain its existing organizational structure and staffing pattern pending approval by the DBM. SEC. 16. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the Executive Director as ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Executive Directors as ex officio members, and the Campus Directors and such other ranking PSHS System faculty members or officials as the Board may deem necessary, as members. The Executive Committee shall develop and conduct a periodic review of the PSHS System curriculum and other training programs, and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as the Board may prescribe. SEC. 17. Faculty Members Qualification. - Faculty members of the PSHS's System shall be exempt from any civil service examination or regulations as a requisite to appointment.The same shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be formulated and approved by the Board, such as, but not limited to, screening and conduct of competitive examinations. SEC. 18. Exemption from Tax. - All grants, bequests, endowments, gifts, donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the PSHS System shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8424 or the "National Internal Revenue Code of 1997", as amended. Upon certification by the DOST, the importation of scientific and research equipment for educational purposes made by the PSHS System shall be exempt from the payment of taxes and customs duties in accordance with Republic Act No. 10863 or the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)". Any taxes and duties on importations not covered by the said exemption shall be chargeable against the Tax Expenditure Fund under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). SEC. 19. Fallback Position. - At the end of two (2) consecutive terms, the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or Campus Director may opt to remain with the PSHS System and occupy the highest faculty rank. SEC. 20. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the following incumbent key officials of the PSHS System shall acquire new terms of office: (a) Non ex officio members of the Board under Section 8 of this Act shall assume a term of four (4) years; (b) The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors, subject to meritorious performance and approval of the Board, shall assume a term of six (6) years, and may be renewed for another term of six (6) years; and (c) Campus Directors, subject to meritorious performance and approval of the Board, shall assume a term of six (6) years, and may be renewed for another term of six (6) years. SEC. 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PSHS System. Thereafter, such amount as may be needed for its continued operation shall be included in the annual GAA. SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. SEC. 24. Repealing Clause.