Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. In the appointment or assignment of teachers to public elementary or secondary schools, priority shall be given to bona fide residents of the barangay, municipality, city or province where the school is located: Provided, That the teacher possesses all the minimum qualifications for the position as required by law.
Protests regarding the appointment or assignment of classroom public - school teachers shall prescribe in three (3) months upon the issuance of such appointment or assignment.
SEC. 2. In the exercise of its disciplinary authority, the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports shall impose the following administrative sanctions for any willful violation of this Act: (1) first violation - suspension of one (1) month without pay; (2) second violation - suspension of two (2) months without pay; and (3) third violation and subsequent violations hereof – suspension of six (6) months without pay.
SEC. 3. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) shall prescribe the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act. The DECS shall provide the Senate and the House of Representatives a copy of the rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after approval of this Act.
SEC. 4. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved, June 11, 1996.