Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 2694

INTRODUCED BY Rep. GREG G. GASATAYA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The University of the Philippines (UP) system comprises of eight (8)
constituent universities in (17) campuses across the country. It has 258
undergraduate programs and 438 graduate programs with students from across the
country. As the country’s premiere university, UP continues to be a breeding ground
of topnotch professionals in various fields such as government leaders, private
industry leaders, lawyers, and academics.

Despite the number of UP campuses spread all over the country, only three
(3) of its campuses, namely UP Miag-ao, UP Iloilo, and UP Tacloban cater to the
hundreds of thousands of aspiring UP students in Visayas. As the Philippines is
archipelagic, many poor and deserving students, especially those from areas far from
the Visayas campuses, tend to be discouraged to pursue UP education as the
geographical inaccessibility would translate to additional financial burden and
separation from families and loved ones. For residents of Negros, the nearest UP
campuses in Iloilo (UP Miag-ao and UP Iloilo City) are a land trip to the port and an
hour ferry ride away.

Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution which asserts that
“the State shall 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,”
this bill seeks to establish a UP campus in Bacolod City to be known as UP Bacolod
and bring educational opportunities to underprivileged but deserving students unable



to pay for the quality but expensive education and costs of living in private
institutions in Negros, its neighboring provinces, and in Metro Manila.

As such, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

as

REP. GREG G. GASATAYA
Lone District of Bacolod


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 2694

INTRODUCED BY Rep. GREG G. GASATAYA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES CAMPUS IN
THE CITY OF BACOLOD, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “University of the
Philippines Bacolod Act.”

SECTION 2. Establishment. — The Board of Regents of the University of the
Philippines is hereby authorized to conduct the establishment of a constituent
campus of University of the Philippines Visayas to be known as the University of
the Philippines Bacolod, hereinafter referred to as UP Bacolod.

The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines shall have full
authority to determine the instruction, research, extension programs, schedule of
preparatory and initial operations, organizational structure, qualifications and
number of academic and other personnel, enrollment and other matters related to the
administration and operation of UP Bacolod: Provided, That the academic program
shall put priority on science, technology, and agricultural education.

SECTION 3. Location. — The campus of UP Bacolod shall be located in the
City of Bacolod, Province of Negros Occidental, to be specified by the Bacolod City
Government. The campus shall be utilized for educational purposes, other activities
related to research and training, and income generation for the self-sustainability of
UP Bacolod.

SECTION 4. Initial Report. - The Board of Regents of the University of the
Philippines shall submit a report to the President of the Philippines, Congress, and



the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on the actions that the University of
the Philippines has taken pursuant hereto within six (6) months from the effectivity
of this Act.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The amount of one hundred million pesos
(Php 100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating expenses of UP
Bacolod. Thereafter, such additional amount as may be necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

APPROVED,