Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

483

Introduced by HONORABI_E JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 1994, the Commission on Higher Education was created to take on the
responsibility of the then Department of Education, Culture and Sports over higher
education and research. Essentially, the Commission was provided overall.supervision
and regulatory powers over private higher educational institutions and degree programs,
and limited influence over state universities and colleges through chairmanship of their
governing boards and the recommendation of their budgets to the Department of
Budget and Management.

To enhance its developmental role in the higher education subsystem, the
Commission was armed with a Higher Education Development Fund which it can use to
support, among others, faculty development, the development of centers of excellence
in various fields of learning, and enhancing governance over, and linkages between and
among, private and public higher educational institutions.

More than a decade after. its creation, experiences as well as the enactment of
several laws on different professions and professional regulations have necessitated the
need to clarify the powers and strengthen the Commission.

The increase in the number of state universities and colleges (SUCs) as well as
the imminent and problematic creation of locally-funded universities and colleges
(LUGs), and the concomitant offering by these SUCs and LUCs of numerous degree
programs without a CHED evaluation, the rational allocation of state support to these
SUCs, the absence of a grievance and conciliation mechanism on academic issues,
and the limitation on the number of educational institutions that may be created, are all
being addressed in this Bill

Lastly, this bill seeks to clarify that the Higher Education Development Fund is a
trust fund and therefore is free from restriction or limitation on budgetary releases.

In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought.

—__ we
JAN ihieties “SONNY” M. ANGARA

Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HE No. 483

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED),
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722, ENTITLED
“AN ACT CREATING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be jit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act (R. A.) No. 7722 is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2 Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect,
foster and promote the right of all citizens to affordable quality
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to ensure
that education shall be accessible to all. The State shall likewise
ensure and protect academic freedom and shall promote its
exercise and observance for the continuing intellectual growth, the
advancement of learning and research, the development of
responsible and effective leadership, the education of high-level
[and middle-level] professionals, and the enrichment of our
historical and cultural heritage.

XxxX"

SEC. 2. Section 3 of R.A. 7722 is amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 3. Creation of the Commission on Higher Education.

In pursuance of the abovementioned policies, the Commission on


Higher Education is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the
Commission.

The Commission shall be a collegial body independent and
separate from the Department of Education, [Culture and Sports
(DECS)] (DEPED), and attached to the Office of the President for
administrative purposes only. Its coverage shail be both public and
private institutions of higher education [as well as degree-granting]
OFFERING DEGREE programs {in all post-secondary educational
institutions, public and private].

SEC. 3. Section 4 of R.A. 7722 is hereby deleted and replaced with a new
Section 4, to read as follows:

“SEC. 4. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THERE SHALL
BE A MULTI-SECTORAL AND — INTERDISCIPLINARY
GOVERNING BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESPONSIBLE
FOR POLICY-MAKING AND GOVERNANCE OF THE ENTIRE
SUBSYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IT SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF SEVEN MEMBERS WHO WILL SERVE IN PART-
TIME CAPACITY AND WHO SHALL REPRESENT THE
ACADEME, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AND SUCH OTHER
SECTORS WHICH HAVE DIRECT STAKES IN HIGHER
EDUCATION: PROVIDED, THAT, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF
THE SECRETARIAT SHALL BE AN EX-OFFICIO BUT NON-
VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL BE PERSONS OF
HIGHEST PROFESSONALISM AND INTEGRITY, AND WHO
HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AS AUTHORITIES AND
EXPERTS IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELDS OF LEARNING AS

PROFESSORS, RESEARCHERS, MANAGERS, PROFESSIONAL


PRACTITIONERS AND OTHER LINES OF ENDEAVORS THAT
CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
EXTERNAL GOVERNANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION. NO
PERSON CAN BE APPOINTED COMMISSIONER IF HE HAS
BEEN A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTIVE POSITION IN THE
IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING ELECTION.

IN NO CASE SHALL ANY AND ALL OF THE
COMMISSIONERS APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO ACT ON
THEIR BEHALF.

THE COMMISSION SHALi. BE AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY
INSTRUMENTALITY AND SHALL STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE
TENETS OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. TO
DEMOCRATIZE THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF
PERSONS IN THE BOARD OF COMISSIONERS AND THE
SECRETARIAT, ALL VACANCIES IN THE COMMISSION AND
THE SECRETARIAT SHALL BE WELL-PUBLICISED AND TO
WHICH THE APPLICATION BY INDIVIDUALS OF MOST
SUITABLE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND MORAL
PROBITY SHALL BE ENCOURAGED, TO PRESERVE ACADEMIC
AND FISCAL AUTONOMY, THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL
ELECT FROM AMONG THEMSELVES THE CHAIRMAN AND
VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION SHALL REGULARLY MEET ONCE IN
TWO MONTHS: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT UPON
CERTIFICATION OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE
SECRETARIAT, IT SHALL CONVENE SPECIAL MEETINGS IF
THE EXIGENCIES SO WARRANT.

SEC. 4. Section 5 of R.A. 7722 is hereby amended to read as follows:


“SEC. 5. Term of Office. - The President shall appoint ALL
the [full-time chairman and the commissioners for a term of four (4)
years] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
without prejudice to [one] reappointment BASED ON MERIT AND
TRACK RECORD OF PERFORMANCE. The terms of the initial
appointees shall be on a staggered basis TO ENSURE
CONTINUITY AND COHERENCE OF POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS ACROSS ADMINISTRATIONS. [: the full-time
chairman] A SET OF THREE COMMISSIONERS shall hold office
for a term of [four (4)] FIVE (6) years, the next two (2)
commissioners for three (3) years, and the last two (2)
commissioners for two (2) years.

The Commission shall hold office until their successors shall
have been appointed and qualified. Appointment to any vacancy
shall only be for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In no case

shail any commissioner be appointed or designated in a temporary

or acting capacity.”
SEC. 5, Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 6. Rank and Emoluments. — The chairman, VICE
CHAIR and the corimissioners shall have the rankS AND
EMOLUMENTS CORRESPONDING OR COMPARABLE TO
THOSE APPOINTED IN THE POLICY AND GOVERNING
BOARDS OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC CORPORATIONS AS MAY
BE DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT fof a
Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively. They shall
receive the compensation and emoluments corresponding to those
of a Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively, and
shall be subject to the same qualifications].

SEC. 6. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted to the same Act as follows:


“SEC. 7. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
CHAIRMAN. — SUBJECT TO PERTINENT LAWS AND THE
POLICIES AND RULES ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION, THE
CHAIRMAN SHALL:

(1) ACT AS THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE

COMMISSION EN BANC;

(2) SUBMIT TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE
COMMISSION, WHICH REQUIRE PRESIDENTIAL,
ATTENTION INCLUDING ANNUAL AND OTHER
PERIODIC REPORTS; AND

(3) DIRECT THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE
SECRETARIAT ON THE PERFORMANCE OR
EXECUTION OF THE DECISIONS AND POLICIES OF
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS”

SEC. 7. A new Section 8 is hereby inserted to the same Act as follows:

“SEC. 8. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
COMMISSIONERS. - IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLEGIALITY,
JOINTLY WITH THE CHAIRMAN, THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFECTIVE EXERCISE OF THE
POLICY AND RULE-MAKING, RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND
MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION OVER THE
ENTIRE HIGHER EDUCATION SUBSYSTEM. THEY SHALL
LIKEWISE PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE
DELEGATED BY THE COMMISSION. IN CASE OF THE
ABSENCE OF THE CHAIRMAN AND THE VICE CHAIR DUE TO
ILLNESS, INCAPACITY OR OTHER SERIOUS CAUSE, THE
MOST SENIOR FULL-TIME COMMISSIONER SHALL PERFORM
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAIRMAN.


NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
MEAN THE DEROGATION OF THE PREROGATIVES OF
INTERNAL GOVERNANCE AND FISCAL AUTONOMY OF THE
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AS WELL AS PROMOTE

A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE FUNCTIONS OF

INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNING BOARDS AND THOSE OF THE

COMMISSION IN THE EXERCISE OF THE LATTER'S

COORDINATIVE AND OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS OVER THE

FORMER.”

SEC. 8, Section 7 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 9

SEC, 9. Section 8 of R.A. 7722 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [8] 10. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The

Commission shall have the following COLLEGIAL powers and functions

OVER THE SECRETARIAT AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION

INSTITUTIONS:

a) formulate and [recommend] IMPLEMENT development plans,
policies, priorities and programs on higher education and
research; AND RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE AND
LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES, PRIORITIES AND GRANTS ON
HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH; .

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formulate and recommend development plans, policies,
priorities and programs on research;

©) recommend to the executive and legislative branches, priorities
and grants on higher education and research]

B

APPROVE THE CHANGES IN THE INSTITUTIONAL STATUS
OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND
RECOMMEND TO THE LEGISLATURE THE CREATION,
DISSOLUTION AND MERGER OF STATE COLLEGES AND

UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER PUBLICLY FUNDED TERTIARY


INSTITUTIONS ON THE BASIS OF NATIONAL AND
SECTORAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS;

[d] C) set minimum standards for programs and institutions of
higher learning recommended by panel of experts in the field
and subject to public hearing, and enforce the same.
LIKEWISE, IT SHALL HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY
TO DETERMINE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR
FACULTY WHO CAN TEACH IN HIGHER EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS;

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D) monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and
institutions of higher learning, BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC,
INCLUDING LOCALLY FUNDED COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES, for appropriate incentives as well as the
imposition of sanctions such as, but not limited to, [diminution
or] withdrawal of subsidy, [recommendation on the]
downgrading for] AND withdrawal fof accreditation, program
termination] | GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION AND
AUTHORITY TO OPERATE PROGRAMS or school closuref:}:
PROVIDED, THAT, THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE
EXCLUSIVE/SOLE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT VISITATIONS
TO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIS) FOR
ISSUANCE OF GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY TO OPERATE
PROGRAMS OR COURSES FOR MONITORING AND
EVALUATION PURPOSES;

{f] E) identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in
Program areas needed for the development of world-class
scholarship, nation: building and national development;

{a] F) recommend to] ALLOCATE AND SUBDIVIDE THE TOTAL

BUDGET OF STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN


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COORDINATION WITH the Department of Budget and
Management [the budgets of public institutions of higher
learning as well as] AND RECOMMEND general guidelines for
the use of their income, BASED ON A NORMATIVE ANE
MERIT-BASED FUNDING FORMULA WHICH SHAL BE
FORMULATED BY THE COMMISSION: PROVIDED, ALSO,
THAT THE USE OF THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
SOURCES OF DEVELOPMENT FINANCING SHALL BE
ALLOCATED ON MERIT AND EQUITY GROUNDS ACROSS
REGIONS AND PROVINCES, PROGRAMS AND
INSTITUIONS;

G) rationatize programs and institutions of higher learning
BASED ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
IMPERATIVES AND set standards, policies and guidelines for
the creation of new ones as well as the conversion or elevation
of schools to institutions of higher leaming, subject to budgetary
limitations and GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS and the LIMITATION ON THE
number of institutions of higher learning in the province or region

where creation, conversion or elevation is sought to be made;

[i H) develop criteria for allocating additional resources such as

research and program development grants, scholarships, and
other similar programs: Provided, That these shall not detract
from the fiscal autonomy already enjoyed by colleges and

universities;

[i] !) direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher

learning to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and
development AS WELL AS OTHER STRATEGIC AREAS OF
GLOBAL IMPORTANCE;


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AUTHORIZE THE PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE
ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS, MISSION AND STRUCTURE
OF THE ENTIRE COMMISSION IN THE LIGHT OF THE
COUNTRY’S SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
CHANGES AND PROPOSE THE NECESSARY
INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING APPROPRIATE
LEGISLATIONS;

devise and implement resource development schemes;
administer the Higher Education Development TRUST Fund, as
described in Section 10 hereunder, which will promote the
Purposes of higher education; ~

review the charters of institutions of higher learning and state
universities and colleges including the chairmanship and
membership of their governing bodies and recommend
appropriate measures as basis of necessary action;

CONDUCT MEDIATION, CONCILIATION, SETTLEMENT
MEETINGS OR CONFERENCES, EXERCISE APPELLATE
JURISDICTION BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF
INVOLVING ACADEMIC ISSUES ONLY, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULES TO BE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION FOR
THE PURPOSE;

©) promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such
other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out
effectively the purpose and objective of this Act; and

P) perform such other functions as may be necessary for its
effective operations and for the continued enhancement, growth

or development of higher education.


SEC. 10. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows: ;

“SEC. [9] 11. The Secretariat. - The Commission shall
organize a TECHNICAL secretariat which shall be headed by [an
executive officer] A DIRECTOR-GENERAL, subject io the national
compensation and position classification plan. it shall fix the
Secretariat's [staffing patter, determine the duties, qualifications,
responsibilities and functions, as well as the compensation scheme
for the positions to be created upon the recommendation of the
executive officer] STRUCTURE BASED ON AN ACCEPTABLE
ORGANIZATIONAL EVALUATION STUDY THAT WiLL
RECOMMEND SUITABLE QUALIFICATION, RESPONSIBILITIES
AND FUNCTIONS AS WELL AS THE APPROPRIATE
COMPENSATION SCHEME THAT BEFITS AN ORGANIZATION
OF SUCH HIGHLY TECHNICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
MANDATE. It shall also prepare and approve its budget.

THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
APPOINT ITS OWN PERSONNEL AND DETERMINE THE
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS REQUIRED BY THE
MANAGEMENT, COORDINATION AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS
OF THE COMMISSION TOWARDS THE DEVELOMENT OF
WORLD-CLASS HIGHER EDUCATION SUB-SYSTEM.

THE COMMISSION SHALL TAKE STEPS TO ATTRACT
THE MOST QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT STAFF IN ALL
GRADES AND LEVELS AND SHALL INSTITUTE NECESSARY
AND FLEXIBLE INTERNAL RULES AND PROCEDURES
TOWARDS HIRING AND REMOVAL OF PERSONNEL IN THE
INTEREST OF EFFICIENCY, ECONOMY, DISCIPLINE AND

BETTER PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.”


SEC. 11. A new Section 12 is hereby inserted to the same Act, as follows:
“SEC. 12. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. - THE

COMMISSION SECRETARIAT SHALL BE HEADED BY A

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ASSISTED BY TWO DEPUTY DIRECTOR

GENERALS WHO WILL ALTERNATELY SERVE AS SECRETARY

TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND WHOSE OTHER

RESPONSIBILITIES SHALL BE BASED ON THE RESPONSIVE

STRUCTURE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ORGANIZATIONAL

EVALUATION. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL SHALL ACT AS THE

CHIEF OPERATING AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE

COMMISSION AND SHALL BE AN EX-OFFICIO NON-VOTING

_MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF COMISSIONERS. AS SUCH, THE

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, WITH THE RANK OF

UNDERSECRETARY. SHOULD HAVE A WELL-BALANCED

EXPERIENCE AND EXPOSURE IN ORGANIZATIONAL AND.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

SETTING AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT, AMONG

OTHERS.

AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL HE SHALL;

(1) EXECUTE AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES, STANDARDS,
RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE
COMMISSION;

(2) SUPERVISE AND COORDINATE THE PROGRAMS OF THE
CENTRAL, REGIONAL, AND OTHER OFFICES OF THE
COMMISSION AND RENDER PERIODIC REPORTS ON
THEIR OPERATIONS;

(3) DIRECT AND SUPERVISE THE INTERNAL
ADMINISTRATION AND DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF
THE COMMISSION;


(4) SIGNASSUE APPOINTMENTS TO SUBORDINATE
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMISSION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH LAW;

(5) DELEGATE AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF
ANY FUNCTION TO OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE
COMMISSION;

(4) SUBJECT TO THE CONCURRENCE OF THE
COMMISSION, MAKE TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS,
ROTATE, AND TRANSFER PERSONNEL IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PERTINENT LAWS;

(5) SUBMIT AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE SECRETARIAT
AND COMPOSITE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET TO THE
COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL;

(6) REPRESENT THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND MEETINGS
WHICH EXCLUSIVELY DEAL WITH HIGHER EDUCATION;
AND

1) PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION,

SEC, 12. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as

follows:
“SEC, [10] 13. The Higher Education Development TRUST

Fund, -A Higher Education Development TRUST Fund, hereinafter

referred to as the TRUST Fund, is hereby established exclusively for

the strengthening of higher education in the entire country. FOR

THIS PURPOSE, THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE

COMPLETE AUTONOMY OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND USE

OF THE FUND.

X X X XxX"


SEC. 13. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to rea as follows:

“SEC. [11] 14. Management and Administration of the
Higher Education Development TRUST Fund, - The Fund shall be
administered by the Commission. For sound, PROFITABLE and
judicious management of the Fund, the Commission shall appoint a
reputable government financial institution as portfolio manager of the
Fund, subject to the following conditions:

‘As administrator of the Fund, the Commission shall prepare
the necessary guidelines for its use, subject to the following
conditions:

a) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including
eamings thereof, shall be used to underwrite overhead
expenses for administration;

b) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only
eamings of private contributions shall be used for
administrative expenses;

c) The Commission shall appoint and organize a separate
staff, independent administratively and budgetarily
separate from the Commission Secretariat; and

d) The Fund shall be utilized equitably according’ to
regions, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS and
programs. IN NO CASE SHALL THE FUND BE
UTILIZED FOR PURPOSES — BENEFITING
INDIVIDUALS OTHER THAN THOSE EARMARKED
FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL PURPOSES.

SEC. 14, Section 12 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. [12] 15. The Technical Panels. - The Commission shall

reconstitute and/or organize technical panels for different


disciplines/program areas. They shall assist the Commission in
setting standards, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT and in program and
institution monitoring and evaluation. The technical panels shall be
composed of senior specialists, PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONERS
or academicians to be appointed by the Gommission. THEY SHALL
BE DIRECTLY UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-
GENERAL

SEC. 15. Section 13 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. [13] 16. Guarantee of Academic Freedom. - Nothing in
this Act shall be construed as limiting the academic freedom of
universities and colleges. In particular, no abridgment of curricular
freedom of the individual educational institutions by the Commission
shall be made except for: (a) minimum unit requirements for specific
academic programs, (b) general education distribution requirements
as may be determined by the Commission; and (c) specific
professional subjects as may be stipulated by the various licensing

- entities. No academic or curricular restriction shall be made upon
private educational institutions, which are not required for chartered
state colleges and universities: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
PROGRAM OFFERINGS OF STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES ( SUCS) SHALL FOLLOW AND BE APPROVED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MINIMUM STANDARDS AND
REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSION.”

SEC. 16. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. [14] 17 . Accreditation. — The Commission shall

provide incentives to institutions of higher learning, public and


private, whose programs are acciedifed or whose needs are for

accreditation purposes. THE COMMISSION SHALL LIKEWISE

FORMULATE GUIDELINES FOR GRANTS FROM THE HEDF

AS INCENTIVES FOR ACCREDITATION.

SEC. 17. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC, [15] 18. Tax Exemptions. - Any donation, contribution,
bequest and grant which may be made to the Commission shall
constitute as allowable deduction from the income of the donor for
income tax purposes and shall be exempt from donor's tax, subject
to such conditions as provided under the National Internal Revenue
Code, as amended, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL
PRIORITITES PLAN IN COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.”

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. All laws, republic acts, presidential
decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations of parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 19. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act
‘shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15)

days from publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,