Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6964

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presently, there are 108 local universities and colleges all over the
country. Their students now number 224, 396, composing around six per
cent (6%) total of 3, 589, 484 college population in our country."

Despite their significant presence in the Philippine education
landscape, the sector is in need of a specific mandate and direction in the
context of its role in the national human resources development agenda. On
the matter of course offerings, most of them offer courses similar to that
being offered in state universities and colleges, private universities and
colleges and technical-vocational institutions. To allow such state of affairs
to continue is a wasted opportunity as well as unsound state policy as local
universities and colleges are primarily meant to serve the requirements of the
respective communities where they are located.

The uncertainty of the appropriate mandate place of local colleges and
universities in the Philippine educational landscape is all the more
emphasized by the fact that they are mostly attached to the local government
units for its management and administration, instead of being in a position of

* Commission on Higher Education. Higher Education Enrollment by Gender and Institutional Type AY
2016-17. Retrieved January 11, 2018 from http://www.ched.gov.ph/central/page /higher-education-
enrollment-by-gender-and-institutional-type-ay-2016-17


relative autonomy from the local government unit which created them in
order to foster academic freedom and self-governance among our local
colleges and universities.

The most significant badge of the uncertainty for local colleges and
universities is their funding source, most of them being financed directly by
the local government units that created them. Of course, the source of funds
usually translate to control by the local government unit of the particular
local university or college.

This bill seeks to rightfully secure for our local universities and
colleges its relevant place in the Philippine educational landscape by
addressing the above-mentioned three indicators of such uncertainty.

On the matter of course offerings, this bill proposes that our local
universities and colleges be redesigned to focus on courses that serve the
requirements of their host local government unit and on life-long learning of
the residents who desire to enhance their skills.

On the matter of governance, this bill proposes to dilute the
omnipotent control of the host local government unit by reconstituting the
membership Board of Regents/Board of Trustees. The bill proposes the
Board to be composed of (9) voting members namely: two representatives
of the local government unit - the local chief executive and the chairman of
the committee on education of the Sangguniang Bayan or Panglungsod. The
President of the local university or college, Representatives from each of the
alumni, faculty and students groups, as well as the CHED, NEDA, and
DOST Regional Director or their authorized representative. To ensure
succession to the Presidency of a local university or college which will result
to a more independent administration, it is likewise proposed that the
President of said local university or college can only be selected from those
nominated by the members of the Board of Regents, each of whom is
entitled to nominate only one candidate.

On the matter of funding, it is furthermore proposed that the funding
of the operation of our local universities and colleges be given independent
funding from their host local government unit. While under the proposed
law, the latter can make donations and grants to the local university or
college considering that the course offerings and programs of the said local
university or college are after all, meant to primarily benefit the community


which the said local government unit also governs, the stability of our local
colleges and universities would be compromised if their primary source of
fands is solely from their host local government unit. In this regard, it is
hereby proposed that Twenty Percent (20%) of all the yearly income of
PCSO and PAGCOR be earmarked for the funding of all local universities
and colleges all over the country.

For the aforementioned reasons, the passage of this bill is most

camestly sought.
Ainge (a4.
REP. SALVADOR B. BE]! 10, JR.

Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

6964
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

AN ACT REDEFINING THE ROLE OF LOCAL UNIVERSITIES
AND COLLEGES, PROVIDING FOR THEIR INDEPENDENT
GOVERNANCE AND FOR THEIR REGULAR FUNDING

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Local Universities
and Colleges Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Education is a key to development.
While it is a state policy to afford the citizenry utmost leeway in availing of
educational opportunities, it is sound fiscal management to ensure that all
investments in education matter and redound to the national interest.

SECTION 3. Course Offerings of Local Universities and Colleges —
Henceforth, the course offerings of all local universities and colleges shall
be redesigned to focus on courses that serve the requirements of their host
local government unit and on life-long learning of the residents of the
community who are already settled therein but still wish to continually
enrich and retool themselves.


SECTION 4. Governance of Local Universities and Colleges. - Every local
university or college shall be governed by a Board of composed of the
following nine (9) voting members - the President of the local university or
college, representatives from each of the alumni, faculty and student groups,
as well as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National
Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) Regional Directors plus the two representatives of
the local government unit - the local chief executive and the chairman of the
committee on education of the Sangguniang Bayan or Panglungsod.

SECTION 5. Succession in the Administration of Local Universities and
Colleges. - To ensure succession to the Presidency of a local university or
college which will result to a more independent administration, it is likewise
proposed that the President of said local university or college can only be
selected from those nominated by the members of the Board of Regents each
of whom is entitled to nominate only one candidate.

SECTION 6. Funding. - The funding of the operation of local universities
and colleges shall be sourced from Twenty Percent (20%) of all the yearly
income of PCSO and PAGCOR. The remainder, if any, shall be included in
the yearly appropriations as reflected in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules. — The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), in coordination with the Technical Skills and Development
Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Development Authority
(NEDA) is hereby tasked to formulate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause —If any provision of this Act is held
invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 10. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.