DEPED - Northern Iloilo Division Act

: Senate Offer of the suretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) FEB 10 • A9:43 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1815 Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - NORTHERN ILOILO DIVISION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF EXPLANATORY NOTE Northern Iloilo is composed of geographically diverse and densely populated municipalities, with many public elementary and secondary schools located in coastal, upland, and island barangays. At present, these schools fall under the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo, which covers the entire province except Iloilo City. The wide territorial coverage of the existing division poses administrative and logistical challenges, particularly in delivering timely supervision, technical support, and services to remote and island schools. This bill proposes the establishment of a DepEd-Northern Iloilo Schools Division to bring education management and service delivery closer to learners, teachers, and communities in the area. The creation of a separate division is intended to improve responsiveness and strengthen local education governance. Specifically, the proposed division aims to: • bring education administration closer to schools, teachers, and learners; • enable faster and more efficient delivery of basic education programs and services; • strengthen school-based management and local technical support; • improve planning, supervision, and monitoring of geographically isolated and remote schools; and • promote a more equitable distribution of infrastructure, resources, and support for teachers and school administrators.

The proposed DepEd-Northern Iloilo Division will initially cover the municipalities of Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, Sara, and San Rafael, without prejudice to adjustments that may be made by DepEd after due consultation. The establishment of a separate schools division in Northern Iloilo is expected to enhance the delivery of basic education services, particularly in underserved and geographically isolated communities. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. Bar Quin

: Senato /Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) FEB 10 A9:43 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1815 Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - NORTHERN ILOILO DIVISION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 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 "DepEd - Northern Iloilo

Division Act. "

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

promote accessible, efficient, and equitable education governance, to strengthen the delivery of basic education services at the local level, and to decentralize administrative functions in order to improve responsiveness and reduce congestion in existing Department of Education (DepEd) divisions.

Sec. 3. Creation of the Department of Education Northern Iloilo Division. -

There is hereby created a separate and independent Department of Education Northern Iloilo Division, under the administrative supervision of the DepEd Regional Office VI (Western Visayas).

Sec. 4. Jurisdiction and Coverage. - The DepEd Northern Iloilo Division shall

have jurisdiction over the following municipalities: Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, Sara, and San Rafael. Additional municipalities may be included as determined by the DepEd after due consultation.

Sec. 5. Organizational Structure. - The new division shall be headed by a School

Division Superintendent, assisted by (1) Assistant Schools Division Superintendent. It shall likewise be composed of education supervisors, section heads, program

specialists, field supervisors, and appropriate administrative and support personnel as may be determined by the Department of Education in accordance with the plantilla standards and regional requirements.

Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. - The DepEd - Northern Iloilo Division shall:

(a) Supervise the operation of public elementary and secondary schools within its jurisdiction; (b) Implement policies, plans, and programs of the Department; (c) Provide technical assistance to schools and learning centers; (d) Oversee personnel management, budgeting, procurement, and monitoring; and (e) Engage in local government units, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders in school improvement initiatives.

Sec. 7. Transition and Implementation. - Within six (6) months from the

effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall issue the necessary orders for the creation of the new division. An interim transition team shall be constituted to manage personnel reassignment and hiring, office establishment, logistics, and the finalization of school mapping and jurisdictional delineation.

Sec. 8. Funding Appropriations. - The initial funding necessary for the operation

of the new division shall be charged against the current budget of the Department of Education. Thereafter, its operational requirement shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Local government units (LGUs) may likewise extend counterpart support.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees, executive

orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,