Title
Creation of Special Education Fund by RA 5447
Law
Republic Act No. 5447
Decision Date
Sep 25, 1968
Republic Act No. 5447 establishes the Special Education Fund in the Philippines, which will be derived from additional taxes on real property, taxes on Virginia-type cigarettes, and duties on imported leaf tobacco, to support various educational activities such as construction of school buildings, payment of teacher salaries, and purchase of teaching materials.
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Sources of Financing the Fund

  • Fund sourced from two main revenues:
    • Portion of taxes on Virginia-type cigarettes and duties on imported leaf tobacco.
    • Additional real property tax.

Allocation of Taxes on Virginia-type Cigarettes and Duties on Imported Leaf Tobacco

  • Entire collection from these taxes distributed as follows:
    • Local governments receive their share in the inter-local revenue allotment.
    • 1% retained by the Bureau of Internal Revenue for enforcement and collection expenses.
    • Remaining balance divided: 10% to national Special Education Fund share, 40% to Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration Tobacco Fund, 50% to National Government general fund.

Additional Real Property Tax Imposition and Proceeds Disposition

  • Imposes an additional annual 1% tax on assessed real property value, with exemptions and maximum limits.
  • Tax payable quarterly; basis for assessment per existing laws.
  • Collections distributed:
    • Municipal collections: 50% retained, 20% remitted to province, 30% to National Treasury for fund stabilization.
    • City collections: 60% retained, 40% remitted for fund stabilization.

Creation and Composition of Local School Boards

  • Establishes Provincial, City, and Municipal School Boards.
  • Each board includes educational superintendent (chairman), local government representatives, treasurer, council members, and Parents-Teachers Association presidents or representatives.
  • Duties of these officials in boards are non-delegable.

Functions of Local School Boards

  • Determine annual budgetary needs following criteria and Secretary of Education approval.
  • Apply for and receive shares of national fund allocations.
  • Authorize disbursement of funds per approved budgets.
  • Perform additional functions assigned by education bureaus.
  • Serve without compensation; reimbursement for travel expenses allowed.
  • Boards to meet regularly with quorum and specific vote requirements for budget approval.

Expenditure Rules and Prioritization of Special Education Fund

  • Annual budget for expenditures must be prepared by August 15.
  • Budgets approved by school boards are final unless appealed within 15 days.
  • Uncovered needs forwarded to Department of Education for information.
  • National Government fund share expenditures subject to appropriations law.
  • Priority for fund allocation given to lowest classified municipalities, cities, and provinces, conditional on increased real property tax collections.
  • Specific appropriations detailed for salaries, school repair, scholarships, printing plant, athletic meets, and education research.

Administrative Provisions

  • Existing laws on real property tax assessment and collection apply to the additional tax.

Turnover and Release of Fund Collections

  • Municipal or city treasurers retain local shares and remit portions due to provinces and National Government monthly.
  • No diversion of funds permitted; strict adherence to allocation rules.
  • Officials are ministerially duty-bound to release funds within fifteen days upon authorization.

Rulemaking Authority

  • Secretary of Education and Secretary of Finance, with recommendations from relevant bureaus, shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations.
  • Rules published in three newspapers and take effect fifteen days after publication.

Penal Provisions

  • Failure or refusal to remit or release funds, or diversion of collections, punishable by fines up to 10,000 pesos, imprisonment up to six years, or both.
  • Government officials involved subject to dismissal, disqualification from public office.

Separability Clause

  • Invalidity of any part of the Act does not invalidate the remaining provisions.

Repealing Clause

  • Repeals or modifies inconsistent laws, orders, or regulations.

Effectivity

  • Act takes effect on January 1, 1969, except tax allocation provisions effective upon approval of the Act.

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