FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
8 
DCi -0 $>7.,- 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
Explanatory Note 
This legislation seeks to convert the Ifugao State College of Agriculture 
and Forestry and all its existing extension campuses, all in the province of Ifugao 
into a state university to be known as the Ifugao State University (IFSU). 
The rationale for its conversion, as follows: 
1. 
The University shall serve as the center of advanced learning and 
instruction in the province distinguished as the gateway from 
Central Luzon to the Cordilleras. The institution shall be at the 
forefront of education and research in such courses as Law, Arts 
and Sciences, Public Administration, Information Technology, 
Education, Engineering, Business Management and Industry and 
other relevant fields of study. 
Ifugao, the home of splendid Banawe Rice Terraces, is accessible 
to its neighboring provinces but infrastructure must be 
developed. 
And this bill can bridge the gap through 
appropriations and 
2. 
assistance mandated in this Act. 
3. 
The establishment of a state university with extensive curricular 
offerings in the province of Ifugao by converting the state college 
into a university is the key to progress in the Cordilleras. 
Education can be a magnet to usher in socio-cultural and economic 
development in the region. Ifugao and its neighboring provinces 
then can, through, education, be world-class like the majestic rice 
terraces which is an significant landmark to the ingenuity, 
craftsmanship, architectural and engineering skills of the 
Cordillerans. 
The immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2658 
__ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT CONVERTING THE IFUGAO STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
AND FORESTRY AND ALL ITS EXISTING EXTENSION CAMPUSES, ALL IN 
THE PROVINCE OF IFUGAO INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN 
AS THE IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY (IFSU), AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Conversion. - The lfugao State College of Agriculture and 
Forestry (ISCAF) in the Municipality of Lamut, including its existing branches, 
namely: the Potia Campus in the Municipality of Alfonso Lista; the Lagawe 
Campus in the capital town of Lagawe; and the Tinoc Campus in the Municipality 
of Tinoc, all located in the Province of Ifugao, is hereby converted into a state 
university to be known as the lfugao State University, hereinafter referred to as 
the University. The main campus of the University shall be in Lamut, Ifugao. 
SEC. 2. General Mandafe. - The University shall primarily provide 
advanced instruction and professional training in education, law, arts and 
sciences, public administration, information technology, accountancy, business 
and industry, agriculture and forestry, engineering and other relevant fields of 
study. It shall also undertake research and extension services, and provide 
progressive leadership in its areas of specialization. 
SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer undergraduate, 
graduate and short-term technical courses within its areas of specialization and 
according to its capabilities as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to 
carry out its objectives in order to meet the needs of the Province of lfugao and 
the Cordillera Administrative and the Cagayan Valley Regions: Provided, That 
the University shall retain its original mandate as primarily an agricultural 
institution: Provided, further, That in the case of graduate courses, the University 
shall strengthen its masteral and doctorate degree programs in agriculture and 
allied courses. The existing high school/s shall be transferred to the jurisdiction 
and supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd): Provided, That the 
high school is shall he allowed to remain and operate within the campus of the 
University until the existing students shall have completed their high school 
education: Provided, further, That the University may operate a reasonably sized 
laboratory school, if it has a College of Education. 
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SEC. 4. Administration. -The University shall have the general powers of a 
corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, as amended, otherwise known 
as the “Corporation Code of the Philippines”. The administration of the University 
and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board 
of Regents and the President of the University. 
SEC. 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the University 
shall be the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall 
be composed of the following: 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
(b) The President of the University, Vice Chairperson; 
(c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
(d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
(e) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
[f) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA); member 
(9) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the 
(h) The President of the federation of student councils of the University, member; 
(i) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University. 
(il Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the University, 
members. 
Chairperson; 
Senate, member: 
House of Representatives, member; 
(NEDA), member; 
University, member; 
member: and 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of 
at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Ifugao, as recommended by 
the search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with 
the Chairperson of the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the 
normal standards and qualifications for the position. 
The term of office of the President of the federation of faculty associations, 
the President of the federation of student councils and the President of the 
federation of alumni associations shall be coterminous with their respective terms 
of office, as set forth in their respective constitutions and by laws. 
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from 
the date of appointment. 
SEC. 6. Promulgation and lmplementation of Policies. - The Board shall 
promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies on education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution 
on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, 
standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise 
known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994. 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents - The Board shall 
have the following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board Of directors 
of a corporation under existing laws: 
(a) To promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out 
the purposes and functions of the University; 
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(b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the 
support of the University in the manner it may determine, in its discretion, in order 
to carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
(c) To import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books and/or 
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such imported books and/or 
publications are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, 
historical or cultural purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and 
Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended; 
(d) To receive in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real properties of all 
kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit 
of the University and, subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the 
donor, if any. 
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall 
28 be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the 
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of 
the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended: Provided, 
That such donations shall not be disposed of, transferred or sold; 
(e) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as, but 
not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the 
Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved 
sectors. 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income 
generated by the University, shall constitute special trust funds and shall be 
deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests that 
shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the 
University. 
Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the University from tuition fees and 
other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, 
shall be retained by the University, and may be disbursed by the Board for 
instruction, research, extension or other programslprojects of the University: 
Provided, 'That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purpose for 
which these are collected. 
If, for reason beyond its control, the University shall not be able to pursue 
any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its 
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said 
funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and 
urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the University; 
(0 To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other 
school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
(9) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and 
personal properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
(h) To appoint, upon recommendation of the President of the University, 
Vice Presidents, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and 
other officials and employees of the University; 
(i) To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative officials 
and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and 
Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation 
laws governing hours of service and such other duties and conditions as it may 
deem proper: to grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such 
4 


regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing laws to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the 
requirements of due process of law; 
0) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline 
drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided; 
(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
(I) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their 
outstanding contribution in the fields of agriculture, public service, arts, science 
and technology, education or in any field of specialization within the academic 
competence of the University; and to authorize the awarding of certificate of 
completion of non degree and nontraditional courses; 
(m) To establish and absorb non chartered tertiary institutions within the 
Province of lfugao as branches and extension centers of the University in 
coordination with the CHED, and in consultation with the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM), and to offer therein programs or courses to promote 
and carry out equal and greater access to educational opportunities as mandated 
by the Constitution; 
(n) To establish research and extension centers of the University where 
such will promote the development of the latter; 
(0) To establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide 
fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
(p) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to 
the President or Officer-in-Charge and/or other officials of the University as it 
may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the 
University; 
(4) To authorize an external management audit of the University, to be 
financed by the CHED, subject to the ides and regulations of the Commission on 
Audit (COA); and to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, 
on the basis of audit results and recommendations; 
(r) To collaborate with other governing boards of state universities and 
colleges within the Province of lfugao or the Cordillera Administrative Region, 
under the supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the DBM, and work 
towards the restructuring of the University to become more efficient, relevant, 
productive and competitive; 
(s) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
development and management of the economic assets of the University, the 
proceeds from which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the 
same; 
(t) To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units (LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, local 
and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the University; 
(u) To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building 
with appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, 
and to appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or 
exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be; 
(v) To set up the adoption of modem and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning system, 
open learning or distance education and community laboratory for the promotion 
of greater access to higher education and graduate studies, as the case may he; 
(w) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative 
decision-making and transparency within the University; 
(x) To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, the 
management of nonacademic services such as health, food, building, grounds or 
property maintenance and such other similar activities; and 
(y) To extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance has been 
unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the guidelines, 
5 


qualifications 
andlor 
standards 
set 
by 
the 
Board, 
after 
unanimous 
recommendation by the search committee. 
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at 
least once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon 
three (3) days’ prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings 
whenever necessary. 
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding 
office at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the 
Board or the President of the University is among those present in the meeting. 
In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the 
CHED, duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all 
the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided: however, That 
during this meeting, the President of the University as Vice chairperson shall be 
the Presiding Officer: Provided: further, That this proviso notwithstanding, the 
Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED 
Commissioner as the regular Chair of the Board, in which case said CHED 
Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer. 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education 
shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their 
respective representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same 
rights and responsibilities as a regular member of the Board. 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be 
entitled to reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in 
their attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official 
business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and 
regulations. 
SEC. 9. The University President - The University shall be headed by a 
President, who shall render full-time service. HelShe shall be appointed by the 
Board, subject to the guidelines, qualifications andlor standards set by the board, 
upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. HeIShe shall have 
a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: 
Provided: That in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the 
incumbent President of the lfugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry, if 
qualified, shall serve as the first President of the University. 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the 
incumbent President of the University, the Board shall constitute the Search 
Committee for the Presidency (SCP). 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, 
compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the 
President to perform the functions of hidher office, the Board shall designate an 
Officer-in-Charge of the University within six (6) months from the date of 
vacancy, pending the appointment of a new President. 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the 
immediately preceding paragraph, hislher successor or the Officer-in-Charge 
shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term. 
6 


The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to 
those specifically provided in this Act, shall he those usually pertaining to the 
Office of the President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board. 
The salary of the President of the University shall be in accordance with 
the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall he 
comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational 
institutions. 
The President of the University shall be assisted by a Vice President for 
Academic Affairs and a Vice President for Administration, who shall be appointed 
by the Board upon recommendation of the President. 
SEC. IO. Heads of University Campuses. - Campus Directors shall head 
the University campuses and they shall render full-time service. They shall he 
appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the 
University President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set 
by the Board: Provided, That the incumbent college administrators of the 
extension campuses shall serve as Campus Directors of their respective 
campuses. 
SEC. 2 1. The Adminisfrafive Council. - There shall be an Administrative 
Council consisting of the President of the University as Chairperson, Vice 
Presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose 
duty is to review and recommend to the Board the policies governing the 
administration, management and development of the University for appropriate 
action. 
SEC. 12. The Academic Council. - There shall he an Academic Council to 
be composed of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, 
and all academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as 
members. 
The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the University, subject to the 
appropriate action by the Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of 
students, as well as for their graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to 
review and/or approval by the Board through the President of the University. It 
shall have the disciplinary power over students of the University and shall 
formulate academic policies and rules and regulations on discipline, subject to 
the approval of the Board. 
SEC. 13. The Secretary of the University. - The Board shall appoint a 
secretary, who shall serve as such for both the Board and the University, and 
shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board. He/She shall serve upon 
each member of the Board the appropriate notice of the Board meetings. 
SEC. 14. The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the 
Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the University. 
SEC. 15. The Faculty - No religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter 
of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, That 
said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or 
standards set by the Board: Provided, furfher, That no member of the faculty 
shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect. 


SEC. 16. Scholarship Program/Admission. - The University shall provide a 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but 
deserving students who qualify for admission to the University. 
No student shall be denied admission to the University by reason of sex, 
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
SEC. 17. Academic Freedom and lnsfitufional Autonomy. - The University 
shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 
2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 18. Authority fo Loan or Transfer ApparafusEquipmentuppIies and 
Defail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national 
government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the 
President of the University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be 
needed by the University, and to detail employees for duty therein when, in the 
judgment of the head of the bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, 
supplies or services of such employees can he spared without serious detriment 
to the public service. 
The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them 
by the President of the University, and the time so employed shall be counted as 
part of their regular services. 
~ 
SEC. 19. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, fixed and 
movable, personnel and records of the lfugao State College of Agriculture and 
Forestry, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the 
University: Provided, however, That the positions, rights and security of tenure of 
faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the 
conversion into a University shall be respected. 
All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the 
lfugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry are hereby declared to be 
property of the University, and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That 
should the University cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of 
land aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the same shall 
revert to the LGUs concerned. 
SEC. 20. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
the lfugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry, except the sums needed to 
continue the operations of the existing high school. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation 
and maintenance of the lfugao State University shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 21, Developmenf Plan, Managemenf Audif, 
Organizafional/ 
Adminisfrafive/Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty 
(120) days after the approval of this Act, the University shall accomplish the 
following: 
(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program 
budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the DBM; 
(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
(c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic 
structure, including the appointment of the key officials of the University. 
8 


SEC. 22. Filing of Report. -On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
(2nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall 
file with the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Chairperson of 
the CHED, and with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress, 
conditions and needs of the University. 
SEC. 23. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 
8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", 
shall be an integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing 
Charter of the University. 
SEC. 24. Parjty Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, 
responsibilities and limitations to state universities andlor their officials under 
existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or 
its officials, whenever appropriate. 
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in 
consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 26. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. - AI1 laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
SEC. 28. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
Approved, 
9