FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2361 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI and Senator LOREN B. LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Province of Quirino is among the few provinces left in the country without a 
State University. Despite of having three (3) government institutions of higher learning, 
students in the province would still go to nearby provinces or even in Metro Manila in 
search of a government university that would provide them quality yet affordable 
education. However, such practice entails a lot of financial and emotional burden on the 
part of the students and their families. 
The proposed bill aims to convert the Quirino State College (QSC) in the 
Municipality oJ Diffun into a State University to be known as the Quirino State University, 
This conversion will integrate with the QSC two existing institutions of higher learning -
the Quirind Polytechnic College in Cabarroguis and the Maddela Institute of Technology 
in Maddela both in the Province of Quirino. The conversion and integration of these 
three schools is very much in line with the rationalization of tertiary schools program of 
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
The new State University will provide quality yet affordable and advanced 
education; higher technological, professional and vocational instruction; and training in 
science, art, education, entrepreneurship and other related courses. 
This proposed 
Quirino State University will provide for research and extension services and offer 
progressive leadership in its areas of specialization, 
It will offer undergraduate and 
graduate studies and other degree/courses according to its capabilities and fields of 
specialization to meet the needs of the Province of Quirino and Region II. 


It is a primary policy of the state to provide the people with quality education. 
Enacting this bill into law is a big step towards that direction, especially for the people of 
Quirino who are yet to see a State University rising in their midst. 
Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
---~--------
JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
--,-------
WR@ B.LEGARDA 
---


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2361 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE QUIRINO STATE COLLEGE (QSC) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
DIFFUN, PROVINCE OF QUIRINO INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY (QSU), INTEGRATING THEREWITH THE 
QUIRINO POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE (QPC) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
CABARROQUIS AND MADDELA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF MADDELA, BOTH MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED IN THE 
PROVINCE OF QUIRINO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Conversion/Integration. - The Quirino State College (QSC) in the 
2 
Municipality of Diffun, Province of Quirino is hereby converted into a state university to 
3 
be known as the Quirino State University (QSU), hereinafter referred to as the 
4 
University, integrating therewith the Quirino Polytechnic College (QPC) in the 
5 
Municipality of Cabarroguis and the Maddela'lnstitute of Technology (MIT) in the 
6 
Municipality of Maddela, both municipalities located in the Province of Quirino. The main 
7 
campus of the University shall be in the Municipality of Diffun. 
8 
9 
SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provide quality yet 
10 
affordable progressive leadership in advanced education, higher technological, 
11 
professional instruction and training in arts and sciences, teacher education, agriculture, 
12 
industrial 
engineering and 
information technology, 
business management and 
13 
accountancy, hospitality management, tourism, allied health sciences, criminology, 
14 
technical-vocational and nontraditional courses and other relevant fields of study. It shall 
15 
also undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in 
16 
its areas of specialization. 
17 
18 
SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer undergraduate and 
19 
graduate courses in arts and sciences, teacher education, agriculture, industrial 


engineering and information technology, business management and accountancy, 
2 
hospitality management, tourism, allied health sciences, criminology, technical-
3 
vocational and nontraditional courses and other degrees/courses within its areas of 
4 
specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of Regents may deem 
5 
necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly to meet the needs of the Province of 
6 
Quirino and Region II. 
7 
8 
SEC. 4. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers of a 
9 
corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68., as amended, otherwise known as the 
10 
"Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the University and the 
11 
exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and 
12 
the President of the University. 
13 
14 
SEC. 5. The Governing Board - The governing board of the University shall be 
15 
the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of 
16 
the following: 
17 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
18 
Chairperson; 
19 
(b) The President of the University, Vice Chairperson; 
20 
(c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
21 
Senate, member; 
22 
(d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
23 
House of Representatives, member; 
24 
(e) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
25 
(NEDA), member; 
26 
(f) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), member; 
27 
(g) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University, 
28 
member; 
29 
(h) The President of the federation of student councils of the University, member; 
30 
(i) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University, 
31 
member; and 
32 
(j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
33 
themselves in their respective professions or fields of specialization of the 
34 
University, members. 
35 
36 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at 
37 
least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Quirino, as recommended by the 
38 
search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with the 
2 


1 
Chairperson of the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the normal 
2 
standards and qualifications for the position. 
3 
The terms of office of the Presidents of the federations of faculty associations, 
4 
student councils and alumni associations shall be coterminous with their terms of office, 
5 
as set forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws. 
6 
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the 
7 
date of appointment. 
8 
9 
SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board shall 
10 
promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies on 
11 
education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, 
12 
agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the 
13 
CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 
14 
1994". 
15 
16 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. - The Board shall have 
17 
the following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
18 
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board of directors of a 
19 
corporation under existing laws: 
20 
(a) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary 
21 
to carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
22 
(b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the 
23 
University in the manner it may determine in its discretion, in order to carry 
24 
out the purposes and functions of the University; 
25 
(c) To import economic, technical and cultural books and / or publications; 
26 
(d) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
27 
properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when 
28 
necessary for the benefit of the University, and subject to the limitations, 
29 
directions and instructions of the donor, if any; 
30 
(e) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as, but not 
31 
limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the 
32 
Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved 
33 
sectors. 
34 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income 
35 
generated by the University, shall constitute special trust funds and shall be 
36 
deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests 
37 
that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of 
38 
the University. 
3 


1 
Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary 
2 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the University from tuition fees 
3 
and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and 
4 
land grants, shall be retained by the University, and may be disbursed by the 
5 
Board for instruction, research, extension or other programs/projects of the 
6 
University: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific 
7 
purposes for which these are collected. 
8 
If, for reasons beyond its control, the University shall not be able to pursue 
9 
any project for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated under 
10 
its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of 
11 
said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be 
12 
necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the 
13 
University; 
14 
(f) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees for 
15 
greater access to poor but deserving students; 
16 
(g) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment 
17 
and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, 
18 
including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
19 
(h) To appoint upon recommendation of the President of the University, Vice 
20 
Presidents, deans, directors, heads of campuses, faculty members, and 
21 
other officials and employees of the University; 
22 
(i) To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and 
23 
employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and 
24 
Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation 
25 
laws governing hours of service and such other duties and conditions as it 
26 
may deem proper; to grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under 
27 
such regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the 
28 
contrary notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with 
29 
the requirements of due process of law; 
30 
U) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn 
31 
by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided; 
32 
(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
33 
(I) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
34 
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and 
35 
technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization within the academic 
36 
competence of the University; and to authorize the awarding of certificates of 
37 
completion of non degree and nontraditional courses; 
4 


(m) To establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the Province 
2 
of Quirino as branches and centers in coordination with the CHED, and in 
3 
consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (OBM), and to 
4 
offer therein programs or courses, to promote and carry out equal access to 
5 
educational opportunities as mandated by the Constitution; 
6 
(n) To establish research and extension centers of the University where such will 
7 
promote the development of the latter; 
8 
(0) To establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for 
9 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
10 
(p) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the 
11 
President and/or other officials of the University as it may deem appropriate, 
12 
. so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the University; 
13 
(q) To authorize an extemal management audit of the University, to be financed 
14 
by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on 
15 
Audit (COA); and to institute reforms, including academic and structural 
16 
changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations; 
17 
(r) To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
18 
universities within Region II, under the supervision of the CHED and in 
19 
consultation with the DBM, and work towards the restructuring of the 
20 
University to become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
21 
(s) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
22 
development and management of the economic assets of the University, the 
23 
proceeds from which shall be used for the development and strengthening of 
24 
the University; 
25 
(t) To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
26 
government units (LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, 
27 
local and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the 
28 
University; 
29 
(u) To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
30 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, 
31 
and to appoint experts/specialists as conSUltants, part time or visiting or 
32 
exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be; 
33 
(v) To set up the adoption of modem and innovative modes of transmitting 
34 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning 
35 
system, open or distance education and community laboratory for the 
36 
promotion of greater access to education; 
37 
(w) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-
38 
. making and transparency within the University; 
5 


(x) To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, management of 
2 
nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
3 
maintenance and such other similar activities; and 
4 
(y) To extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
5 
retirement but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance has 
6 
been unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the 
7 
guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, after unanimous 
8 
recommendation by the search committee. 
9 
10 
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at least 
11 
once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days 
12 
prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary. 
13 
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office 
14 
at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or the 
15 
President of the University is among those present in the meeting. 
16 
In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED, 
17 
duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights and 
18 
responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this meeting, the 
19 
President of the University as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer: Provided, 
20 
fwther, That this proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby 
21 
authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the Board, in 
, 
22 
which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer. 
23 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall 
24 
not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
25 
representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
26 
responsibilities as a regular member of the Board. 
27 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
28 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance 
29 
to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by 
30 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations. 
31 
32 
SEC. 9. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a 
33 
President, who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board, 
34 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon 
35 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of 
36 
four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, That in 
37 
order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the CHED shall designate an 
38 
Officer-in-Charge, pending the appointment of the first President of the University. 
6 


1 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent 
2 
President of the University, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the 
3 
Presidency (SCP). 
4 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compUlsory 
5 
retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the 
6 
functions of his/her office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the 
7 
University within six (6) months from date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new 
8 
President. 
9 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the immediately 
10 
preceding paragraph, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only the 
11 
unexpired portion of the term. 
12 
The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those 
13 
specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the 
14 
President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board. 
15 
The salary of the President of the University shall be in accordance with the 
16 
Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to 
17 
that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
18 
The President of the University shall be assisted by a Vice President for 
19 
Academic Affairs, a Vice President for Administration and a Vice President for Research 
20 
and Development, Extension and Training by the Board upon recommendation of the 
21 
President. 
22 
23 
SEC. 10. Heads of University Campuses. - Campus Directors shall head the 
24 
University campuses and they shall render full time service. They shall be appointed by 
25 
the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the University President, 
26 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board: Provided, 
27 
That the incumbent college administrators of the extension campuses shall serve as 
28 
Campus Directors of their respective campuses. 
29 
30 
SEC. 11. The Administrative Council. - Each extension campus in the 
31 
municipalities of Cabarroguis and Maddela shall be referred to as a University campus. 
32 
There shall be an Administrative Council consisting of the President of the 
, 
33 
University as Chairperson, Vice Presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal 
34 
rank as members, whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board policies 
35 
goveming the administration, management and development planning of the University. 
36 
7 


SEC. 12. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to be 
2 
composed of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, and all 
3 
academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members. 
4 
The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
5 
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the University, subject to the approval of the 
6 
Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their 
7 
graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/or approval by the Board 
8 
through the President of the University. It shall have the disciplinary power over 
9 
students of the University and shall formulate academic policies and rules and 
10 
regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
11 
12 
SEC. 13. The Secretary of the University. - There shall be a Secretary of the 
13 
University who shall also be the secretary of the Board to be appointed by the Board, 
14 
upon recommendation of the President of the University. He/She shall keep such 
15 
records of the University and the Board as may be assigned to him/her by the Board. 
16 
17 
SEC. 14, The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines 
18 
shall be the ex officio treasurer of the University. 
19 
20 
SEC. 15. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
21 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter 
22 
of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, That said 
23 
appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the 
24 
Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any 
25 
particular church or religious sect. 
26 
27 
SEC. 16. Scholarship Program/Admission. - The University shall provide a 
28 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving 
29 
students who qualify for admission to the University. No student shall be denied 
30 
admission to the University by reason of sex, religion, cultural or community affiliation or 
31 
ethnic origin. 
32 
33 
SEC. 17. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University 
34 
shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, 
35 
Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 
36 
37 
SEC. 18. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and 
38 
Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government 
8 


/ 
are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the 
2 
University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the University, 
3 
and to detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or 
4 
office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be 
5 
spared without serious detriment to public service. 
6 
The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the 
7 
President of the University, and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their 
8 
regular services. 
9 
10 
SEC. 19. Transfer of Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, fixed and 
11 
movable, personnel and records of the Quirino State College, the Maddela Institute of 
12 
Technology and the Quirino Polytechnic College, including those where the Maddela 
13 
Institute of Technology and the Quirino Polytechnic College are situated, as well as 
14 
liabilities and obligations, are hereby transferred to the University: Provided, however, 
15 
That the positions, rights and security of tenure of personnel therein employed under 
16 
existing laws prior to their absorption by the University are not impaired: Provided, 
17 
further, That the incumbent positions shall remain in the same status until otherwise 
18 
provided for by the Board. 
19 
All parcels of land belonging to the govemment occupied by the Quirino State 
20 
College, the Maddela Institute of Technology and the Quirino Polytechnic College are 
21 
. hereby declared to be the property of the Quirino State University and shall be titled 
22 
under that name: Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished or 
23 
should such parcels of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the 
24 
same shall revert to the Province of Quirino, or the Republic of the Philippines, as the 
25 
case may be. 
26 
27 
SEC. 20. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. - The importation of 
28 
economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications, which are for economic, 
29 
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by 
30 
the Quirin() State University, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from 
31 
customs duties in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the 
32 
Philippines, as amended. 
33 
All donations in any form to the Quirino State University shall be exempt from the 
34 
donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross 
35 
income in the computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the 
36 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
37 
9 


1 
SEC. 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
2 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Quirino State 
3 
College, the Quirino Polytechnic College and the Maddela Institute of Technology. 
4 
Thereafter, starting 2012, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation 
5 
and maintenance of the Quirino State University shall be included in the annual General 
6 
Appropriations Act. 
7 
8 
SEC. 
22. 
Development Plan, 
Management Audit, 
Organizational I 
9 
Administrative / Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) 
10 
days after the approval of this Act, the University shall accomplish the following: 
11 
(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program 
12 
budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the DBM; 
13 
(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
14 
(c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic 
15 
structure, including the appointment of the key officials of the University. 
16 
17 
SEC. 23. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th ) day of the second 
18 
(2nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with 
19 
the Office of the President of tile Philippines through the Chairperson of the CHED, and 
20 
with both Houses of Congress a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs 
21 
of the University. 
22 
23 
SEC. 24. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
24 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modemization Act of 1997", shall be an 
25 
integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Goveming Charter of the 
26 
University. 
27 
28 
SEC. 25. Parity Clause. -
All other powers, functions and privileges, 
29 
responsibilities and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing 
30 
laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials 
31 
whenever appropriate. 
32 
33 
SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation 
34 
with the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this 
35 
Act. 
36 
10 


SEC. 27. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this 
2 
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
3 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
4 
5 
SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
6 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
7 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
8 
9 
SEC. 29. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
10 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
1 J 
12 
Approved, 
11