WHEREAS, the improvement of secondary education is one of the goals of the government's educational development programs;

WHEREAS, the Basilan City High School is the only public high school in the Province of Basilan serving both Christian and muslim populations;

WHEREAS, the Basilan City Council and the Provincial Board of the Province of Basilan have made strong representation for the conversion of Basilan City High School into a national high school funded by the National Government to insure its continuous operations; and

WHEREAS, the conversion of Basilan City High School into a national high school will enhance the government's developments objectives for the province and city of Basilan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

SECTION 1. The Basilan City High School in Basilan is hereby converted into a national high school, to be known as Basilan National High School.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Education and Culture is hereby authorized to reorganize said school accordingly.

SEC. 3. All equipment, property, assets and liabilities of the said Basilan City High School shall be transferred to the Basilan National High School, and any provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the tuition fees of students shall accrue to the Basilan High School for its operation and maintenance in addition to the sums appropriated by this Decree and those included in the Annual General Appropriation Decrees.

SEC. 4. The sum of Five hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the conversion, operation and maintenance of said school during fiscal year nineteen hundred and seventy-five. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual General Appropriation measure.

SEC. 5. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 27th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.