Quezon province eyes creation of a Philippine Science High School campus

By Nimfa L. Estrellado 2nd District Board Member Keith Mikal Tan explains the province’s push for a PSHS campus during the Sangguniang Panl...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

2nd District Board Member Keith Mikal Tan explains the province’s push for a PSHS campus during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session. (Dok Kim/FB)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - A campus of the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) is being considered for addition to the province to accommodate more students who pass its entrance exam. This is a bid intended to expand access to advanced science education and improve STEM opportunities for youth.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon on Monday, December 1, presided over by Vice Governor Anacleto “Third” A. Alcala III, expressed its support for the creation of a PSHS campus. The proposed site is planned to be built in Tayabas City, which local officials identified as a strategic location due to its accessibility and existing education infrastructure.



Committee on Education Chairperson 2nd District Board Member Keith Mikal Tan said the initiative would give Quezon students access to a DOST-administered, research-intensive STEM curriculum. He noted that this program is distinct from the one offered at the DepEd-run Quezon Science High School.

“Ang DOST na Science High School po ay mas intensive po ang kanilang curriculum with regards to Science and Math. Hindi po ito redundant sa Quezon Science High School dahil magkaiba po sila ng sistema. Ito po ay pagkakataon para hindi mapag-iwanan ang ating lalawigan.”

He also said the establishment of a PSHS campus in Tayabas City would strengthen the province’s academic competitiveness. It would also expand pathways for high-performing students and support future collaborations in innovation and research.

“Marami pong estudyante ang pumapasa sa Pisay pero hindi natatanggap dahil kulang ang slots. Kung magkakaroon tayo ng campus dito, mas marami pong kabataang Quezonian ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataon. Ito po ay malaking hakbang para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral.” he added.

National developments mirror Quezon’s direction as the PSHSS now operates 16 campuses serving around 10,600 students. Despite this capacity, more than 5,800 qualified students have been turned away since 2022 due to limited available slots.

Education officials and policy experts have noted that the country’s science talent pipeline remains constrained by limited school capacity, uneven regional access, and rising demand for science-focused learning. Expanding the PSHS network has been identified as a key approach to strengthening the Philippines’ readiness for high-technology industries and research-driven development.

Lawmakers have pushed the Expanded PSHS System Act, which will allow up to two PSHS campuses per region, a major change from the previous rule allowing only one. The proposal also aims to unify existing and future campuses under a single governance structure to maintain consistent quality standards.

In Region 4A, the first planned PSHS campus is set for Batangas City, positioning Quezon as a strong candidate for the second campus permitted under the expanded framework. Securing this slot is seen as crucial to ensuring the province does not miss out as PSHS expansion proceeds nationwide.