Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11194)
The short title is the 'Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act.'
The State declares its policy to conserve and promote the country’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, strengthening efforts to conserve and restore built heritage like Gabaldon school buildings to preserve their architectural, historical, and social significance.
Conservation refers to all processes and measures of maintaining the cultural significance of Gabaldon school buildings including preservation, restoration, reconstruction, protection, adaptation, or any combination thereof.
Gabaldon school buildings are school buildings designed by American Architect William Parsons and funded through Act No. 1801, authored by Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon.
Yes, all Gabaldon school buildings are recognized as built heritage and included as part of cultural properties under Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.
No, no public school teacher shall be held liable for acts committed to cause or effect emergency repairs on such structures.
The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the National Museum (NM) implement the conservation program.
School heads must submit reports to their respective Schools Division Superintendents indicating the existence of or any structural damage to any Gabaldon school building under their supervision.
Any modification, alteration, destruction, demolition, or relocation of Gabaldon school buildings is strictly prohibited, except for certain modifications allowed with a permit from the NCCA under specific conditions.
Subject to a permit from the NCCA, modifications or alterations may be allowed where constructing new school buildings is a priority due to student population increases under the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, provided that the facade and distinct features are preserved as much as possible.
The Secretary of Education immediately includes the implementation in the Department’s program, charging initial funding to the current year's appropriation of DepEd, with continued funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The Department of Education, in consultation with NCCA, NHCP, and NM, must formulate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the approval of the Act.
The invalidity or unconstitutionality of any provision does not affect the other provisions which shall remain in force and effect (Separability Clause).
All laws, decrees, orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.