Bill naming school after Cory lapses into law

MANILA, Philippines - A measure seeking to name a national high school in Compostela Valley after former president Corazon Aquino has lapsed into law, making it the first approved legislation for 2016.

Republic Act 10740 renamed the Compostela National High School as Corazon C. Aquino High School Annex and converted it into an independent institution.

The decision of President Aquino not to affix his signature to the measure appeared to be deliberate, possibly due to delicadeza, as he signed 13 similar bills before the end of the year. RA 10740 was singled out with the name of the school being the only possible reason.

A set of publications in a national broadsheet yesterday showed that Aquino signed into law 13 other bills involving the creation or establishment of independent national high schools (NHS) in different parts of the country.

Asked about the flurry of laws in connection with the conversion of schools, Education Secretary Armin Luistro told The STAR that annex schools are separate and independent from their parent institutions and must have their own officers and budget.

Rey Laguda, education undersecretary for finance and administration, added that this would allow better supervision of schools in light of the K to 12 program implementation.

Independent schools

The converted annexes covered by the laws signed by the President include: Alfonso Castañeda NHS Abuyo Annex, which is to become the Abuyo NHS in Nueva Vizcaya; Libertad Colongulo Annex to Colongulo NHS in South Cotabato; Luna Tumog Annex to Tumog National and Agricultural Trade School in Apayao; Pio Dalim Memorial School of Arts and Trade-Sta. Filomena to Sta. Filomena High School of Arts and Trade also in Apayao; and the General Emilio Aguinaldo Annex to General Licerio Topacio NHS in Cavite.

In Bukidnon province, the Silae NHS-St. Peter Annex and Halapitan-Little Baguio Annex were converted to become St. Peter NHS and Little Baguio NHS, respectively.

In Zamboanga del Sur, the Tukuran Technical-Vocational High School-Tabuan Annex was converted to Tabuan NHS; San Jose NHS-Daniel C. Mantos Annex becomes Daniel C. Mantos NHS; and the Midsalip Buloron Annex becomes the Buloron NHS.

Aquino also approved the creation of Libagon NHS in Leyte, Ma. Clara Lobregat NHS in Zamboanga del Sur, and the Navotas National Science High School.

The laws ordered the Department of Education to include the operationalization of the new schools in its current program as funding for the new schools will only be allotted in the succeeding years. It was also tasked to absorb all annex school personnel, assets, liabilities and records.