Republic Acts 11623 and 11624: Establishing New National High Schools in Baguio City
Republic Acts No. 11623 and No. 11624, both enacted on December 10, 2021, are significant legislative measures that address the educational needs of specific communities within Baguio City by converting existing school annexes into independent national high schools. These acts facilitate improved administration and resource allocation for the benefit of students and educators in these areas. Congressman Mark Go, the representative of Baguio City's lone district, played a supportive role in the passage of these laws as a co-sponsor of the corresponding House Bills.
Republic Act 11623: Establishing Fort Del Pilar National High School
Republic Act 11623 is titled "AN ACT SEPARATING THE BAGUIO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – FORT DEL PILAR ANNEX IN BARANGAY FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY FROM THE BAGUIO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE FORT DEL PILAR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR."
This act effectively grants the Fort Del Pilar Annex of Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) autonomy, converting it into a standalone national high school. The key provisions of RA 11623 include the formal separation of the annex, the transfer of all its existing personnel, assets, liabilities, and records to the newly created Fort Del Pilar National High School. The Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated to include the operationalization of the new school in its program, with initial funding sourced from the annex's current year appropriation, and subsequent funding to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. This ensures dedicated resources for the school's operations and development.
The enactment of RA 11623 originated from House Bill No. 7994 in the 18th Congress. Congressman Mark Go was listed as a co-sponsor of this bill, indicating his support for the conversion of the Fort Del Pilar Annex into an independent national high school and his recognition of the need for enhanced educational facilities and administration in the area it serves.
Republic Act 11624: Establishing Hillside National High School
Similarly, Republic Act 11624 is titled "AN ACT SEPARATING THE BAGUIO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – HILLSIDE ANNEX IN BARANGAY HILLSIDE, BAGUIO CITY FROM THE BAGUIO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE HILLSIDE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR."
This law mirrors the provisions of RA 11623, focusing on the Hillside Annex of BCNHS. It legally separates the Hillside Annex and converts it into the independent Hillside National High School. The act also dictates the transfer of all personnel, assets, liabilities, and records from the annex to the new school. Like RA 11623, it directs the DepEd to facilitate the operationalization of Hillside National High School and ensures its funding through inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act, starting with the annex's current allocation.
Republic Act 11624 originated from House Bill No. 7995 in the 18th Congress. Congressman Mark Go was also a co-sponsor of this bill. His co-sponsorship of both House Bills 7994 and 7995 demonstrates his commitment to improving the educational infrastructure and opportunities available to students in different barangays within Baguio City by supporting the independence and dedicated resourcing of these former annexes.
Republic Acts 11623 and 11624 are crucial legislative steps towards providing more focused and adequately supported secondary education in the Fort Del Pilar and Hillside areas of Baguio City. Congressman Mark Go's role as a co-sponsor of the foundational House Bills for both acts highlights his advocacy for enhanced educational services and his support for initiatives that directly benefit the students and communities within his district. These laws are expected to lead to improved school administration, targeted program development, and better overall learning environments in the newly established Fort Del Pilar National High School and Hillside National High School.