SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian hailed the passage of new laws establishing high schools for the arts and sports in Baguio City.

Republic Act No. 12118 creates the Baguio City High School for the Arts, while Republic Act No. 12119 establishes the Baguio City Sports High School.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Gatchalian pushed for the passage of these laws in the upper chamber.

The Baguio City High School for the Arts is mandated to implement a general secondary education curriculum, as prescribed by the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10533), or the K to 12 law, catering to learners with considerable potential in the arts.

The school’s curriculum will emphasize developing talents, skills, and exceptional giftedness among learners to nurture potential artists while preserving and promoting Filipino heritage.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will administer and supervise the Baguio City High School for the Arts in close coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which will provide policy direction and technical assistance.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City Sports High School will offer a general secondary education curriculum, as prescribed by the K to 12 law, for learners with potential in sports.

The school’s curriculum will focus on developing students’ athletic abilities through physical education and specialized sports subjects.

DepEd will oversee the Baguio City Sports High School in collaboration with the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Academy of Sports.

The NAS System’s policies, guidelines, and criteria will guide the school’s operations.

“Binabati ko ang mga taga-lungsod ng Baguio dahil magkakaroon na sila ng sarili nilang mga high school para sa sining at sports. Ang Baguio ay tahanan ng mga mahuhusay na alagad ng sining at mga atleta, at sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga bagong paaralang ito, mahuhubog natin ang maraming kabataang magbibigay dangal sa ating bansa,” Gatchalian said.