Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _________ 
Introduced by Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to strengthen the West Visayas State University by declaring it a 
national university dedicated to provide quality and affordable education accessible 
to students nationwide.  
The State has the duty to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality 
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education 
accessible to all as enshrined in Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution. 
Towards this end, the State shall enact laws that will allow access to quality and 
affordable education to all Filipinos in all regions nationwide. 
The West Visayas State University was established in 1924 under Republic Act 
No. 4189, as amended, but dates back in 1902 as a part of the Philippine normal 
school system established by the American colonial government. It has dedicated 
itself to the achievement of educational goals as an institution of higher learning in 
the Philippines, particularly in instruction, research, and extension. The West 
Visayas State University maintains active and innovative research activities with 
local and international collaborations pioneering studies in endangered wildlife 
species, Philippine native chicken, Philippine buffalo breeding and medical and 
nursing technologies and practices. As the center of academic excellence in the 
Visayas region, communities, schools and other institutions benefit from the 
expertise of the University’s faculty members and staff promoting linkages and 
collaborations in the Region.1 
For more than a century, the West Visayas State University has committed 
itself to growth and development of the educational system in the Philippines and in 
the Visayas Region, consistently producing outstanding members of the society and 
distinguished professionals such as Hon. Ferjenel G. Biron, Representative, 4th 
1 https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/west-visayas-state-university 
September 14, 2022
3:47 pm
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district Iloilo2, Atty. Irene Mae B. Alcobilla, 2015 Philippine Bar Top Notcher3, and 
Dr. Vicente Handa a multi-awarded scientist.4 
 
Currently, the West Visayas State University has more than 6,000 students, 
offering a wide range of university courses such as dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, 
music and arts, business management, education, graduate and post-graduate 
courses and research programs, maintaining its status as the center of academic 
excellence in the Western Visayas region. The University’s College of Medicine is 
recognized as the pioneer medical school in Western Visayas and the 2nd State-
owned medical school5 in the country continuing to produce top notchers in the 
Physician Licensure Exam every year.  
 
The declaration of the West Visayas State as a national university will give the 
University fiscal and institutional autonomy allowing it more flexibility to determine 
its teaching, research and extension thrusts, plans, policies, programs, and standards 
to harness the talents and expertise of the increasing number of students in the 
Visayas Region. It will also allow equal access to quality education and 
opportunities for training and learning in leadership, development of democratic 
values, and innovative research through academic and non-academic programs to 
students outside Metro Manila. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
 
Representative, 3rd District of Iloilo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
https://festiveiloilo.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/cong-biron-inspires-sk-ilonggo-youth-leaders-
with-vision-and-integrity/ 
3https://www.rappler.com/nation/88085-antique-bar-topnotcher-lost-mom-brother-typhoon-
frank/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwAR087FNzy3QEFZdtAaMLTytE3q
A1G_I_GECMR2t8rozYjE06od2vLGoDpdg 
4 https://news.uga.edu/handa-vicente-c/ 
5 https://wvsu.edu.ph/colleges-and-campuses/college-of-medicine/ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
AN ACT  
STRENGTHENING THE WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY  
AS A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE WEST VISAYAS 
UNIVERSITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “West Visayas University 
2 
Charter of 2022”. 
3 
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The West Visayas State University is hereby 
5 
declared as a national university and shall be known as the “West Visayas 
6 
University”. 
7 
8 
The State shall promote, foster, nurture and protect the rights of all Filipino 
9 
citizens to accessible quality education. Towards this end, it is the policy of the State 
10 
to strengthen the West Visayas University as a national university. 
11 
12 
Sec. 3. Purpose of the University. – As a national university, a public and 
13 
secular institution of higher learning and a community of scholars dedicated for the 
14 
search of truth and knowledge as well as the development of future leaders, the 
15 
West Visayas University shall perform its unique and distinctive leadership in 
16 
higher education and development. The University shall: 
17 
18 
(a) Lead in setting academic standards and initiating innovations in teaching,
19 
research and faculty development in philosophy, the arts of humanities, the
20 
social 
sciences, 
the 
professions 
and 
engineering, 
natural 
sciences,
21 
mathematics and technology and maintain centers of excellence in such
22 
disciplines and professions in the Visayas Region;
23 
(b) Serve as a graduate university by providing advanced studies and
24 
specialization for scholars, scientists, writers, artists and professionals,
25 
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especially those who serve on the faculty of the state and private colleges and 
26 
universities; 
27 
(c) Serve as a research university in various fields of expertise and specialization 
28 
by conducting basic and applied research and development, and promoting 
29 
research in various colleges and universities, and contributing to the 
30 
dissemination and application of knowledge; 
31 
(d) Lead as a public service university by providing various forms of community, 
32 
public, and volunteer service, as well as scholarly and technical assistance to 
33 
the government, private sector, and civil society while maintaining its 
34 
standards of excellence; 
35 
(e) Protect and promote the professional and economic rights and welfare of its 
36 
academic and non-academic personnel; 
37 
(f) Provide opportunities for training and learning in leadership, responsible 
38 
citizenship, and the development of democratic values, institutions, and 
39 
practice through academic and non-academic programs, including sports and 
40 
the enhancement of nationalism and national identity; 
41 
(g) Serve as a regional and global university in cooperation with international 
42 
and scientific unions, networks of universities, scholarly and professional 
43 
associations in the Asia Pacific region and around the world; and 
44 
(h) Provide democratic governance in the university based on the collegiality, 
45 
representation, accountability, transparency and active participation of its 
46 
constituents and promote the holding of fora for students, faculty, research, 
47 
extension and professional staff (REPS), staff, and alumni to discuss non-
48 
academic issues affecting the University. 
49 
 
50 
Sec. 4. The West Visayas University System. – The West Visayas University 
51 
System is a university system and shall be composed of constituent universities 
52 
established solely by its Board of Regents upon the recommendation of the President 
53 
of the University. The West Visayas University System is composed of its existing 
54 
constituent universities, as follows: West Visayas University – La Paz, West Visayas 
55 
University – Lambunao, West Visayas University – Calinog, West Visayas University 
56 
– Janiuay, West Visayas University – Pototan, West Visayas University – 
57 
Himamaylan City and those which may be created in the future. They are referred to 
58 
in this law collectively as the “National University”. 
59 
 
60 
 
Sec. 5. Academic Freedom. – The national university has the right and 
61 
responsibility to exercise academic freedom. 
62 
 
63 
 
Sec. 6. Academic Excellence. – The national university has the responsibility to 
64 
maintain and enhance its high academic standards in the performance of its 
65 
functions of instruction, research and extension and public service. 
66 
 
67 
 
Sec. 7. Commitment to the National Development. – The national university 
68 
shall harness the expertise of the members of its community in the Visayas Region 
69 
and other individuals to regularly study the state of the nation in relation to its quest 
70 
for national development in the primary areas of politics and economics, among 
71 


others, identify key concerns, formulate responsive policies regarding these 
72 
concerns, and give advice and recommendations to Congress and the President of 
73 
the Philippines. 
74 
 
75 
 
The Congress of the Philippines, the Supreme Court and other lower courts, 
76 
other government agencies and instrumentalities as well as any constitutional body 
77 
may request the national university to conduct research or provide advice on any 
78 
matter involving public policy. The budget for such research or request for advice 
79 
shall come from the appropriation of these public agencies. 
80 
 
81 
 
Sec. 8. Social Responsibility. – The national university is committed to serve 
82 
the Filipino nation and humanity. While it carries out the obligation to pursue 
83 
universal principles, it must relate its activities to the needs of Filipino people and 
84 
their aspirations for social progress and transformation. The national university may 
85 
provide venues for student volunteerism. 
86 
 
87 
 
Sec. 9. Democratic Access. – The national university shall take affirmative 
88 
steps which may take the form of an alternative and equitable admissions process to 
89 
enhance the access of disadvantaged students especially in the Visayas Region, such 
90 
as indigenous peoples, poor and deserving students, including but not limited to 
91 
valedictorians and salutatorians of public high schools, and students from depressed 
92 
areas, to its programs and services. 
93 
 
94 
 
No student shall be denied admission to the national university by reason 
95 
solely of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, physical 
96 
disability or political opinion or affiliation. 
97 
 
98 
 
The national university recognizes the separation of Church and State. It shall 
99 
guarantee religious freedom and shall not discriminate on the basis of religion. 
100 
 
101 
 
Sec. 10. Sports. – The national university shall undertake and support 
102 
comprehensive sports programs that promote physical education, uphold excellence 
103 
and encourage competitive participation in sports activities, instill school identity 
104 
and solidarity, cultivate pride, self-discipline, and teamwork which serve as a 
105 
foundation for fostering active participation in the national university, as well as in 
106 
nation building. 
107 
 
108 
 
Sec. 11. Institutional Autonomy as the National University. - To provide 
109 
greater flexibility, it shall be treated in a manner consistent with its institutional 
110 
requirements as a national university by the service-wide agencies in the exercise of 
111 
their respective jurisdiction. Taking into account national goals and priorities, it shall 
112 
exclusively determine its teaching, research and extension thrusts, plans, policies, 
113 
programs and standards, and, on the basis of such determination, the national 
114 
university shall recommend its annual budget to the President of the Republic of the 
115 
Philippines and Congress.   
116 
 
117 


 
118 
 
119 
 
120 
 
121 
 
Sec. 12. The Board of Regents. –  
122 
 
123 
(1) 
Composition – The governance of the national university is vested in a 
124 
board of regents known as the “Board of Regents of the West Visayas University”, 
125 
hereinafter referred to as the “Board”, composed of: 
126 
 
127 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as Chairperson; 
128 
(b) The President of the West Visayas University as Co-Chairperson; 
129 
(c) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture; 
130 
(d) The Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical 
131 
Education; 
132 
(e) The President of the West Visayas University Alumni Association, to serve as 
133 
the Alumni Regent during his or her incumbency in that position; 
134 
(f) One Faculty Regent representing all teaching personnel, chosen in accordance 
135 
with the rules and qualifications set by the constituent university councils to 
136 
serve for a term of two (2) years; 
137 
(g) One Student Regent, to serve for a term of one (1) year chosen by the students 
138 
from their ranks in accordance with rules and qualifications approved in a 
139 
referendum by the students; 
140 
(h) One staff regent representing the full-time permanent research, extension, and 
141 
professional staff (REPS) and administrative personnel, and chosen by them 
142 
from their ranks in accordance with the rules and qualifications set by their 
143 
duly recognized organizations, to serve for a term of two (2) years; and 
144 
(i) Three other Regents who have distinguished themselves in their professions 
145 
or fields of specialization, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines, 
146 
considering the recommendation of the Board. At least two (2) of these 
147 
Regents should be alumni. All these regents shall each serve for a term of at 
148 
least two (2) years: Provided, that the regents holding office as members of 
149 
the Board at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall continue to serve until 
150 
the expiration of their appointments as provided in Presidential Decree No. 
151 
1437. 
152 
(2) Vacancy – in case of vacancy in the Board, except for the President of the 
153 
University, such vacancy shall be filed in the same manner as provided for the 
154 
predecessor, and such appointee shall hold office for the office of the 
155 
unexpired portion of the term. In case of a sectoral Regent, membership in the 
156 
Board ceases upon suspension, separation or recall. 
157 
(3) Compensation – Members of the Board shall serve without compensation 
158 
other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in 
159 
attendance to meetings of the Board or other official business authorized by 
160 
the Board. 
161 
(4) Meetings; Quorum – The Board shall convene regularly. The Chairpersons of 
162 
the Board may call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, that 
163 


members are notified in writing at least ten (10) working days prior to the 
164 
meeting; Provided, further, that the notice shall contain a brief description of 
165 
the agenda items to be discussed. 
166 
 
167 
A majority of all members of the Board holding office at the time the meeting 
168 
is called shall constitute a quorum for Board meetings. 
169 
 
170 
In no case shall any and all members of the Board appoint representatives to 
171 
act on their behalf; Provided, that the ex-officio members of the Board coming 
172 
from Congress may participate and vote through teleconferencing or 
173 
equivalent verifiable means of communication. 
174 
 
175 
Sec. 13. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. – The administration of 
176 
the national university and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the 
177 
Board of Regents. 
178 
 
179 
The Board shall exercise the following specific powers and duties: 
180 
 
181 
(a) To define in general terms the thrust of the national university and adopt 
182 
broad policy guidelines to ensure their implementation; 
183 
(b) To preserve the integrity of the national university; 
184 
(c) To approve the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs, upon 
185 
recommendation of the University Council of the constituent university 
186 
concerned through the President of the University; 
187 
(d) To approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as recommended 
188 
by their respective University; 
189 
(e) To confer honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of learning, 
190 
statesmanship or eminence in literature, science or art upon recommendation 
191 
of a committee created by the President of the University: Provided, that such 
192 
degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift or other 
193 
valuable consideration; 
194 
(f) To approve the rules on student discipline recommended by the University 
195 
Councils through the President of the University, with the Board retaining the 
196 
power to review and pass final judgment on student disciplinary cases; 
197 
(g) To create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent universities, 
198 
colleges, institutes and other academic and administrative units of the 
199 
national university; 
200 
(h) To establish professional chair awards; 
201 
(i) To provide fellowships, scholarships, and grants including athletic grants and 
202 
to award the same to faculty, staff and students having special evidence of 
203 
merit, especially those who are poor and deserving individuals; 
204 
(j) To elect the President of the University for a single term of six (6) years 
205 
following a process of democratic consultation with the university 
206 
community based on standards and guidelines set by the Board. In the event 
207 
of a vacancy, the Board shall elect a President who shall serve a full term. A 
208 
chancellor chosen by the Board may act as Officer-in-Charge of the national 
209 


university when the search process is in progress. In no case shall the search 
210 
and election of the next President be longer than ninety (90) calendar days 
211 
from the date when the vacancy occurs; 
212 
(k) To appoint faculty members and other officials and employees, to draw up a 
213 
position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff, and, 
214 
any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to fix and adjust salaries and 
215 
benefits of the faculty members and other employees: Provided, that salaries 
216 
and other benefits of the faculty shall be equivalent to those being received by 
217 
their counterparts in the private sector, to determine the hours of service of 
218 
faculty and staff, and such other terms and conditions of employment as it 
219 
may deem proper; to grant leave of absence under such regulations as it may 
220 
promulgate, any other provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding; and 
221 
to remove them for cause as provided by law after due investigation and 
222 
proper hearing; 
223 
(l) To extend, with their consent the tenure of faculty members of the national 
224 
university beyond the compulsory retirement age, any other provision of law 
225 
to the contrary notwithstanding, on the recommendation of the units upon 
226 
endorsement of the President of the national university, whenever their 
227 
services are especially needed: Provided, however, that no such extension of 
228 
tenure shall be made beyond the age of seventy (70); 
229 
(m) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the Board may 
230 
deem proper to impose, after due and comprehensive consultation with the 
231 
students concerned. Such fees and charges, including government support 
232 
and other income generated by the national university, shall constitute special 
233 
trust funds and shall be deposited in an authorized government depository 
234 
bank. Any and all interest that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the 
235 
same funds for the use of national university. 
236 
 
237 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all incomes generated 
238 
by the national university or by its subsidiaries shall, upon their collection, be 
239 
retained by the national university and disbursed at the discretion of the 
240 
Board for the professional growth and development, health, welfare, and 
241 
other benefits of the students, faculty members and other personnel; for the 
242 
acquisition, construction maintenance and repair of urgently needed 
243 
instructional and auxiliary facilities, equipment, buildings and other 
244 
infrastructure; and for expenses necessary for the attainment of its purposes 
245 
under its approved program of expenditures. 
246 
 
247 
If the national university, for reasons beyond its control, shall not be able to 
248 
pursue any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated 
249 
under its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use 
250 
of said fund for any reasonable purpose for which it deems necessary and 
251 
urgent for the attainment of the objectives of the national university: 
252 
Provided, That funds collected from students for a specific purpose shall not 
253 
be reprogrammed to other expenditures; 
254 
 
255 


(n) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided by law for the 
256 
support of the national university to the ends specified by law, and all other 
257 
sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the 
258 
purposes and functions of the national university; 
259 
 
260 
(o) To authorize the construction, maintenance or repair of its buildings, 
261 
machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition 
262 
of real and personal properties, including necessary supplies, materials and 
263 
equipment; 
264 
 
265 
(p) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property 
266 
of all kinds and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the 
267 
benefit of the national university and subject to the instructions of the donor, 
268 
if any; 
269 
 
270 
(q) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, to authorize its faculty 
271 
and staff to travel abroad to study, deliver papers, attend conferences and 
272 
disseminate research: Provided, That the fellowship, scholarship or grant is 
273 
authorized by the Board: Provided, finally, That research and other activities 
274 
funded by the national university shall likewise undertake research in fields 
275 
or topics that the promising commercial applications, and that the faculty and 
276 
staff involved in said research be allowed to participate in its financial or 
277 
economic benefits; 
278 
 
279 
(r) To exercise the general powers set out in the Corporation Code; 
280 
 
281 
(s) To delegate any of its powers to the President of the University or other 
282 
officials or officers as it may deem necessary; 
283 
 
284 
(t) To prescribe rules for its own government and discipline of the faculty and 
285 
other personnel and to enact for the government of the national university 
286 
such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to law, as are 
287 
consistent with its purposes; and 
288 
 
289 
(u) To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out the 
290 
objectives of this Act. 
291 
 
292 
Sec. 14. The President of the University. —The President of the University is 
293 
the chief academic officer, the head of the university faculty, and the chief executive 
294 
officer of the University. The President of the University shall exercise the powers 
295 
specifically provided for in this Act, those determined by the Board, those which 
296 
pertain to the office of the president of a university, and those which are related or 
297 
necessary to its functions. The Board shall determine the compensation of the 
298 
President of the University. 
299 
 
300 


The President of the University shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve for a 
301 
single term of six (6) years. 
302 
 
303 
Sec.15. The Secretary of the University and the Board of Regents. —There 
304 
shall be a Secretary of the University appointed by the Board, who shall also be the 
305 
Secretary of the Board, and who shall keep such records of the University as may be 
306 
designated by the Board. 
307 
 
308 
Sec. 16. The University Council. —There shall be in each constituent 
309 
university a University Council consisting of the Chancellor as Chairperson, and all 
310 
faculty members in the constituent university holding the rank of assistant professor 
311 
and higher as members. 
312 
 
313 
Sec. 17. Powers of the University Council. —The University Council shall be 
314 
the highest academic body of each constituent university and shall exercise the 
315 
following powers: 
316 
 
317 
(a) Fix the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation, and the 
318 
grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide requirements; 
319 
 
320 
(b) Prescribe the academic programs including their institution, revision, 
321 
abolition and merger, subject to the approval of the Board; 
322 
 
323 
(c) Recommend to the Board the graduation of students and the grant of honors; 
324 
 
325 
(d) Exercise disciplinary power over the students, through the Chancellors or 
326 
their appropriate committees, subject to review by the President of the 
327 
University according to the limits prescribed by system-wide rules on student 
328 
discipline; 
329 
 
330 
(e) Undertake the periodic review of academic courses, programs, standards, 
331 
thrust and policies; and 
332 
 
333 
(f) Adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act. 
334 
 
335 
Sec. 18. The Chancellor of the Constituent University. —The Administration 
336 
of each constituent university is vested in the Chancellor insofar as authorized by the 
337 
Board and the President of the University. The Chancellor of the constituent 
338 
university shall be elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of the 
339 
University, following a process of consultation with the constituents of the 
340 
constituent university based on standards and guidelines set by the Board. The 
341 
Chancellor shall report to the President of the University, and shall perform the 
342 
duties and functions elsewhere stated in this Act, and all the usual, necessary and 
343 
related functions of the Office of the Chancellor subject to the policies and rules 
344 
prescribed by the Board. The Board shall determine the term and compensation of 
345 
the Chancellor. If a Chancellor fails to complete his/her term, the President shall 
346 


appoint an acting Chancellor while a search process is in progress. In no case shall 
347 
the search and election of the next Chancellor be longer than sixty (60) calendar days 
348 
from the date when the vacancy occurs. 
349 
 
350 
Sec. 19. The Faculty. —The teaching staff of each college shall constitute its 
351 
faculty. The College Faculty shall be presided over by a Dean. The Dean shall be 
352 
elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of the University and 
353 
recommendation of the Chancellor of the constituent university, following a process 
354 
of consultation with the constituents of the college based on standards and 
355 
guidelines set by the Board. 
356 
 
357 
If a Dean fails to complete his/her term, the Chancellor shall appoint an acting Dean 
358 
while a search process is in progress.  In no case shall the search and election of the 
359 
next Dean be longer than sixty (60) calendar days from the date when the vacancy 
360 
occurs. 
361 
 
362 
Sec. 20. Appointment Requisites and Practice of Profession. —Faculty 
363 
members, as well as research, extension and professional staff (REPS) of the national 
364 
university, shall be exempt as such from any civil service examination or regulation 
365 
as a requisite to appointment. The provisions of existing laws to the contrary 
366 
notwithstanding, licensing requirements for professional regulatory boards shall not 
367 
affect appointments to faculty positions. In the appointment of faculty members, no 
368 
religious test shall be applied, nor shall the religious or political opinions or 
369 
affiliations of the faculty members of the national university be made subject of 
370 
examination or inquiry. 
371 
 
372 
Sec. 21. Student Affairs. —(a) There shall be established in the national 
373 
university the following student councils: for every college and degree-granting 
374 
institute, a college or institute student council; and for every constituent university, a 
375 
university student council; and for the University System, a general assembly of all 
376 
student councils. 
377 
 
378 
The student council shall be composed of elected students of a definite academic 
379 
unit of the national university. Each member of the student council shall serve for a 
380 
term of one (1) year, without prejudice to reelection. 
381 
 
382 
The student council shall serve as the primary student body that shall advance the 
383 
interests, welfare and aspirations of the students of the national university. It shall 
384 
have the power to adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of 
385 
this Act. 
386 
 
387 
(b) Subject to due and comprehensive consultation with the students, there shall be a 
388 
student publication established in every constituent unit and college to be funded by 
389 
student fees. Freedom of expression and autonomy in all matters of editorial and 
390 
fiscal policy shall be guaranteed especially in the selection of its editors and staff. 
391 
 
392 


Sec. 22. Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the University. —(a) The 
393 
State shall support the West Visayas University as a national university in the form 
394 
of lump sum amount, through general appropriations and other financial benefits, 
395 
and in kind, through land grants and donations and use of other real properties. To 
396 
carry out the intent of these grants, income derived from the development of all land 
397 
grants and real properties shall be used to further the ends of the national university, 
398 
as may be decided by the board; 
399 
 
400 
(b) Such parcels of land ceded by law, decree or presidential issuance to the West 
401 
Visayas University are hereby declared to be reversed for the purposes intended. 
402 
The absolute ownership of the national university over these landholdings, 
403 
including those covered by original and transfer certificates of title in the name of 
404 
the West Visayas University and their future derivatives, is hereby confirmed. 
405 
Where the issuance of proper certificates of title is yet pending for these 
406 
landholdings, the appropriate government office shall expedite the issuance thereof 
407 
within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act: Provided, That all 
408 
registration requirements necessary for the issuance of the said titles have been 
409 
submitted and complied with; 
410 
 
411 
(c) The Board may plan, design, approve and/or cause the implementation of land 
412 
leases: Provided, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall sustain and protect 
413 
the environment in accordance with law, and be exclusive of the academic core zone 
414 
of the campuses of the West Visayas University: Provided, further, That such 
415 
mechanisms and arrangements shall not conflict with the academic mission of the 
416 
national university; 
417 
 
418 
(d) The Board may allow the use of the income coming from real properties of the 
419 
national university as security for transactions to generate additional revenues when 
420 
needed for educational purposes; 
421 
 
422 
(e) The Board may approve the implementation of joint ventures: Provided, That in 
423 
the event real properties of the national universities are involved, only the income 
424 
derived by the University from the use of the real properties shall be the subject of 
425 
its participation or obligation in the joint ventures: Provided, further, That no joint 
426 
venture shall result in the alienation of the real properties of the national university; 
427 
and 
428 
 
429 
(f) Any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real 
430 
properties entrusted to the national university shall be consistent with the academic 
431 
mission and orientation of the national university as well as protect it from undue 
432 
influence and control of commercial interests: Provided, That such programs, 
433 
projects or mechanisms shall be approved by the Board subject to a transparent and 
434 
democratic process of consultation with the constituents of the national university: 
435 
Provided, further, That funds generated from such programs, projects or 
436 
mechanisms shall not be meant to replace, in part or in whole, the annual 
437 
appropriations provided by the national government to the national university. 
438 


 
439 
Sec. 23. Safeguards on Assets Disposition. —The preservation of the value of 
440 
the assets of the national university shall be of primordial consideration. 
441 
 
442 
The sale of any existing real property of the national university shall be prohibited: 
443 
Provided, That the Board may alienate real property donated after the effectivity of 
444 
this Act if the terms of the donation specifically allow it. 
445 
 
446 
Notwithstanding the provision of this act or any other law to the contrary, the lease 
447 
of more than five (5) years of the assets of the national university and any transaction 
448 
referred to in Section 22 shall be subject to the following conditions and procedures: 
449 
 
450 
(a) The transactions shall be discussed with the members of the Board, in any of its 
451 
formally convened regular or special meeting, at least one (1) month before a 
452 
decision is to be made; 
453 
 
454 
(b) The transactions shall be based on a multi-year comprehensive development 
455 
plan, crafted and developed by qualified urban planning professionals having at 
456 
least five (5) years of experience, with prior consultations with and concurrence 
457 
of third-party experts and duly approved by a majority vote of all the members 
458 
of the Board; 
459 
 
460 
(c) The transactions shall be subject to competitive and public bidding as provided 
461 
under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government 
462 
Procurement Reform Act”; 
463 
 
464 
(d) In the case of two (2) failed biddings and negotiated transactions, if undertaken, 
465 
the Board, when considering the approval of any such transaction, shall secure a 
466 
fairness opinion report from an independent third-party body. This body shall 
467 
have five (5) members, three (3) of which shall be nominated by the Bankers 
468 
Association of the Philippines (BAP), Investment Houses Association of the 
469 
Philippines (IHAP), Trust Officers Association of the Philippines, or the Financial 
470 
Executive Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). The members shall be entitled to a 
471 
reasonable per diem as the Board may specify. 
472 
 
473 
The fairness opinion report shall contain a statement expressing the opinion of the 
474 
body as to the fairness to the national university of the terms of the proposed 
475 
transaction, particularly its financial terms. The report shall include, but not 
476 
limited to, a review and analysis of the proposed transaction, financial statements, 
477 
industry information, economic conditions assumptions using management 
478 
projections and the assumptions used therein and a comparison of similar 
479 
transactions: Provided, That if the Board differs with the fairness opinion report 
480 
they shall justify their decision in writing and make this available to the 
481 
community of the national university. 
482 
 
483 


This provision shall not apply to leases granted to faculty and staff as part of their 
484 
benefit and those for academic purposes; and 
485 
 
486 
(e) If the contract or transaction involves an amount more than Fifty Million Pesos 
487 
(P50,000,000.00), it shall be approved by three-fourths (3/4) of all the members of 
488 
the Board: Provided, That the splitting of contracts, which is by breaking up a 
489 
contract into smaller quantities or amounts or dividing contract implementation 
490 
into artificial or arbitrary phases or subcontracts for the purpose of 
491 
circumventing this provision, shall not be allowed. 
492 
 
493 
Sec. 24. Management of Funds. —(a) There shall be an independent trust 
494 
committee to be composed of the President of the University, as Chairperson, one (1) 
495 
representative each nominated by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), 
496 
the Investment Houses Association of the Philippines (IHAP), the Trust Officers 
497 
Associations of the Philippines (TOAP) and the Financial Executive Institute of the 
498 
Philippines (FINEX). The members shall be entitled to a reasonable per diem as the 
499 
Board may specify; (b) The independent trust committee shall recommend to the 
500 
Board five (5) universal banks selected on a prudent basis which trust departments 
501 
shall manage the corporate and other funds through trust agreements of the national 
502 
university a non-directed basis: Provided, That any such agreement shall be for a 
503 
period of not more than two (2) years;(c) The independent trust committee shall 
504 
provide the Board with direction on appropriate investments with the view to 
505 
preserving the value of funds while allowing the University to earn a reasonable 
506 
return thereon. 
507 
 
508 
Sec. 25. Tax Exemptions. —The provisions of any general or special law to the 
509 
contrary notwithstanding: 
510 
 
511 
(a)    All revenues and assets of the West Visayas University used for educational 
512 
purposes or in support thereof shall be exempt from all taxes and duties; 
513 
 
514 
(b)   Gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt 
515 
from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions from 
516 
the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National 
517 
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, That the allowable 
518 
deductions shall be equivalent to 150 percent to the value of such donation. 
519 
Valuation of assistance other than money shall be based on the acquisition cost of the 
520 
property. Such valuation shall take into consideration the depreciated value of 
521 
property in case said property has been used; 
522 
 
523 
(c)    Importation of economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, 
524 
historical and cultural books, supplies and materials duly certified by the Board, 
525 
including scientific and educational computer and software equipment, shall be 
526 
exempt from customs duties; 
527 
 
528 


(d)   The West Visayas University shall only pay 0% value-added tax for all 
529 
transactions subject to this tax; and 
530 
 
531 
(e)   All academic awards shall be exempt from taxes. 
532 
 
533 
Sec. 26. Reportorial Requirements and Auditing of Accounts.—The national 
534 
university shall submit an annual report to Congress containing the financial 
535 
statements, statement of assets and liabilities, actual projected income from tuition 
536 
fees and other revenue sources, contracts and investments entered into pursuant to 
537 
Section 22 (c) hereof and programs of expenditure. All accounts and disbursements 
538 
of the national university shall be audited by the Commission on Audit. 
539 
 
540 
Sec. 27. Rules of Construction.— No statutory or other issuances shall 
541 
diminish the powers, rights, privileges, and benefits accorded to the national 
542 
university under this Act or enjoyed at present by it under other issuances not 
543 
otherwise modified or repealed under this Act, unless subsequent legislation 
544 
expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or modification. Any case of doubt 
545 
in the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Charter shall be resolved in favor 
546 
of the academic freedom and fiscal autonomy of the West Visayas University. 
547 
 
548 
Sec. 
28. 
Appropriations.—The 
amount 
needed 
to 
carry 
out 
the 
549 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the lump sum appropriation of 
550 
the current fiscal year and other internal funds of the national university. Thereafter, 
551 
such lump sum representing the responsibility of the national government for the 
552 
continued growth, operation maintenance of the national university shall be 
553 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
554 
 
555 
The national university may use unexpended balances in any appropriation for 
556 
purposes that the Board determines. 
557 
 
558 
In addition to the regular appropriations and increases for the university under the 
559 
annual GAA, a centennial fund shall be appropriated in the amount of One Hundred 
560 
Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) per year for a period of five years, which shall 
561 
likewise be included in the annual GAA. 
562 
 
563 
Sec. 29. Separability Clause.- Should any provision herein be declared 
564 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this 
565 
Act. 
566 
 
567 
Sec. 30. Repealing Clause.- Republic Act No. 4189, as amended, Presidential 
568 
Decree No. 2019 and all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other 
569 
issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
570 
modified accordingly. 
571 
 
572 


Sec. 31. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
573 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation in the 
574 
Philippines. 
575 
 
576 
Approved, 
577