Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" CONGRESS
Third Regular Session. « U

HOUSE BILLNo, 0913.

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Sorsogon State College (SSC) was created by virtue of RA 7666 on December
30, 1993 converted the former Sorsogon College of Arts and Trades into a State College and
integrating therein three of the biggest National Vocational Schools in the province, namely:
Bulan Vocational High School, Magallanes Vocational and Fishery School, and Sorsogon
National Agricultural School in Castilla.

The SSC has gone though the transition period, has eventually stabilized, and has
emerged as one of the best higher learning institutions in the province pitting wisely against
well-known universities in the country when it comes to quality and excellence. In the twenty
years of its existence, SSC has now become a resource institution consistently achieving its
annual target towards the fulfillment of its Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives. Not to be
missed is the intensive effort of all the members of the Academic community in pursuing
persistently the promotion of social goal which is poverty reduction and human development
through quality education.

Likewise at present, the Sorsogon State College has the capability to produce globally
competitive graduates wherein, faculty are equipped with new knowledge and technical
expertise being delivered and transferred effectively to the community serving as instrument
to leverage the people from the bondage of poverty.

‘These are only but few of the triumphs that the College has garnered and delivered as
the premier higher learning institution in the province of Sorsogon as it braces itself to face
the world of university status. It is imperative to note the following achievements that
logically warrant its conversion from State College to a University, to wit:

1. Instruction

There are a total of 24 programs being implemented by the College consisting
of 20 undergraduate, 5 of which are ladderized programs, and 4 graduate programs
with a laboratory high school. Two of the Campus - the Magallanes and Castilla
recognized as Provincial Institute in Fisheries and Agriculture respectively.

Three programs are submitted for Level 111 accreditation, eleven were level
two accredited and the rest are level one accredited and candidate for level one status.


2. Licensure

With the 10 programs of the College that requires licensure examinations, all
have performed better than the national percentage. The fact that for 2012 alone the
College produced seven (7) national placers apart from several topnotchers produced
by the College way back 2005.

3. Academic staff and Personnel

The College has 287 plantilla positions 199 of which are faculty and 88 are
non-teaching. From the faculty members, 32 are doctorate degree holders, 122 are
master’s degree holders with units in doctorate degree. In pursuing excellence and
quality, the College has a strong faculty and staff development program to where at
present eleven faculty are on scholarship (study leave with pay) to finish graduate
studies in recognized universities in Metro Manila for their masteral and doctoral
studies.

4. Research and Extension Services

Recent trend in the area of research has been very promising. The number of
researches completed per year has drastically increased. One concrete manifestation
of which is that, compared to the previous two years where the average number of
completed research is seven (7), in 2012 it catapulted seventeen completed and four
(4) on going. The College has also received awards from regional, national, and
international fora for is research undertakings. Several research works have also been
published in various referred journals.

Similarly, the extension department of the College has been performing
successfully as it consistently exceeded its set targets. In 2012 the office of the
extension services has accomplished 132% of its target or in other words, an increase
of 518 clients for that year. Implementation of reformist policies are also in full swing
as he office without let-up pursues its objectives in partnership with other agencies
and stakeholders.

In sum it can be said that the College at present is already a force to reckon
with. Undeniably it is also on a par with the fine universities in the country. It is about
time a new paradigm for its future is set for the institution.

Based on the above cited reasons, the College rightfully claims its being a
university and the passage of the bill is earnestly requested.

~ EVELINA G. ESCUDERO.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
16" CONGRESS,

Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._9918

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SORSOGON STATE COLLEGE IN THE PROVINCE OF
SORSOGON INTO A UNIVERSITY TO BE KOWN AS SORSOGON STATE
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Sorsogon State College (SSC) in the Provinee of
Sorsogon composed of SSC - Sorsogon Campus in Sorsogon City, Bulan Campus in the
Municipality of Bulan, Magallanes Campus in the Municipality of Magallanes, and Castilla
Campus in the Municipality of Castilla, all four Campuses are located in the Province of
Sorsogon, is hereby converted into a state university to be known as the Sorsogon State
Polytechnic University, hereinafter referred to as the University. The main campus of the
University shall be in Sorsogon City.

SEC, 2, General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provided advance and
higher professional, technical and special instructions intended but not limited to education
and technology, engineering and architecture, public administration and management,
accountancy, economics and finance, agriculture, forestry and fishery, arts and sciences,
maritime, peace and security. It shall also undertake research and extensions as well as
income generation programs for the sustainable development of the Province of Sorsogon.

SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer undergraduate and
graduate courses in the fields of education and technology, engineering and architecture,
public administration and management, accountancy, economics and finance, agriculture,
forestry and fishery, arts and sciences, maritime, peace and security, information technology
and other degrees/courses within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities as
the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in meeting
the needs of the Province of Sorsogon and Region V.

The existing laboratory high school shall continue to operate under the University
control and shall maintain its limited size of enrollment to serve the in-campus proactive of
the students in the Education department of the University.

SEC. 4. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers of a
corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa B lg. 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), Chairperson;

(b) The President of the University, Vice Chairperson;

(c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the Senate,
member;

(d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the
House of Representatives, member;

(©) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), member;

(f) The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
member;

(g) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), member;

(h) The President of the Federation of Faculty Association of the University, member;

(i) The President of the Federation of Student Councils of the University, member;

(j) The President of the Federation of Alumni Association of the University, member;
and

(k) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the University, members.

The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at least
five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Sorsogon, as recommended b the search
committee constituted by the University President, n 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 bylaws.

The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of
appointment, and shall be entitled for reappointment for another term only as approved by the
Board of Regents.

SEC. 6. 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:

(@ To promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State
policies and 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";


(b) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to
carry out the purposes and functions of the University;

(c) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the
University in the manner it may determine in is discretion, in order to carry out the purposes
and functions of the University;

(d) To import economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications!

(c) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 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;

(1) 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 there from shall form part of the same funds for the use of the
Universi

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 programs/projects
of the University: Provided, that all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes
for which these are collected. If, for reasons beyond its control, the University shall not be
able to pursue any project for which the 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;

(g) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees for greater
access to poor but deserving students;

(h) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and
other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including necessary
supplies, materials and equipment;

(i) To appoint, upon recommendation of the President of the University, Vice
Presidents, deans, directors, heads of campuses, faculty members and other officials and
employees of the University;

() 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 regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the
contrary notwithstanding, and to remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements
of due process of law;



(k) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn by
the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided;

(I) To set policies on admission and graduation of students;

(m) To award honorary degrees upon person in recognition of their outstanding
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology,
agriculture or in ant field of specialization within the academic competence of the University:
and to authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of non-degree and nontraditional
courses;

(n) To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of
Sorsogon as branches and centers 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 access to educational opportunities as mandated by the
Constitution;

(0) To establish research and extension centers of the University where such will
promote the development of the latter;

(p) To establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students;

(q) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the President
and/or other officials of the University as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the
administration of the affairs of the University;

(®) To authorize an extemal management audit of the University, to be financed by
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA); and to
institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results
and recommendations;

(s) To collaborate with other governing boards of the State Colleges and Universities
throughout the country 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;

(t) 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 University;

(u) 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;

(v) To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, and to appoint
experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange professors, scholars,
researchers, as the case may be;



(w) 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 or
distance education and community laboratory for the promotion of greater access to
education;

(x) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making
and transparency within the University;

(y) To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, the management of
nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance and
such other similar activities; and

(z) To extent 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, qualifications and/or standards set by the
Board, after unanimous recommendation by the search committee.

SEC. 7. Meetings of the Board, ~ The Board shall regularly convene once every
three (3) months, Whenever necessary, the Chairperson of the Board may call upon three (3)
days’ prior written notice, a maximum of two (2) special meetings within the same period.

‘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 HED, 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. 8. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a President,
who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board, subject to the
guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon recommendation of a duly
constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of four (4) years an 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 Sorsogon State College shall ipso facto
become the first president of the university, and shall fully serve the full term of a first
university President.


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 his /her 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, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only the
unexpired portion of the term,

The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those
specifically provided in this Act, shall be 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 be comparable to that being
received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions.

The President of the University shall be assisted by three Vice Presidents 10 be
appointed/designated by the Board upon the recommendation of the University President.
The three Vice President shall so serve in the office of Academic Affairs, Administration,
Linkages and External Affairs or other equivalent office as the University organizational
structure may warrant,

SEC. 9, Heads of University Campuses. - The Campus Administrators shall head the
University campuses and they shall render full-time service.

They shall be appointed/designated 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 Campus directors of the extension
campuses shall serve as Campus Administrators of their respective campuses.

SEC. 10. 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. 11. The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be

the ex-officio treasurer of the University.

SEC. 12. Administrative 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 planning of
the University.


SEC. 13. The Academic Council. - There shall be 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 approval of 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.

C. 14. The Faculty, - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliations 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, further, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any
particular church or religious sect.

SEC. 15. 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. 16. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and Detail
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 bureau or office, such
apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be spared without serious
detriment to 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. 17. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, personnel
and records of the Sorsogon State College, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby
transferred to the University. The positions, rights and security of tenure of faculty members
and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversation into a
University shalll be respected.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Sorsogon State
Colleges are hereby declared to be property of the University, and shall be titled under that
name.

SEC. 18. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. - The importation of
economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications, which are for economic,
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by the
Sorsogon State Polytechnic University upon certification by the CHED shall be exempt from.


customs duties in accordance with the provisions of he Tariff and Customs Code of the
Philippines, as amended.

SEC. 19. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
‘Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Sorsogon State Colleges,
thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the
Sorsogon State Polytechnic University shall be included in the annual General
‘Appropriations Act.

SEC. 20. Development Plan, Management Audit, Organizational /Administrative
/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

(©) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure,
including the appointment of the key officials of the University.

SEC. 21. Filing of Report. - On or before fifteenth (15") day of the second (2")
month after 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. 22. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8293,
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. 23. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, responsibilities
and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing laws shall be deemed
granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials, whenever appropriate.

SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation with
the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 25. 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. 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,