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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6965
HOUSE BILL

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The present state of higher education institutions in the country is that
all institutions can offer any course to the general public. Such unbridled
discretion results to the similarity of courses being offered by higher
education institutions in the country such as our state universities and
colleges, private universities and colleges, technical and vocational
institutions and local universities and colleges.

In addition, there are also bodies and other agencies such as the
Development Academy of the Philippines and the Local Government
Academy offering courses similar to that being offered by the
aforementioned higher education institutions.

The constitutional mandate that there should be a complementary
growth between public and private schools and the need for our higher
education institutions to respond to national developmental goals by coming
up with responsive course offerings mandate that the course offerings of the
higher education institutions be rationalized to do justice to the prioritization
in the budget for education.


Thus, the passage of this bill is not only very timely but is more
importantly, very essential as it will ensure that education is instrumental to
the country’s development.

REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6965

Introduced by Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE COURSE OFFERINGS OF
HIGHER EDUCATIONS IN THE COUNTRY

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 “Rationalization of
Course Offerings of Higher Education Institutions Act of 2018.”

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

SECTION 3. Rationalization of Course Offerings of Higher Education
Institutions. — Higher education institutions shall be classified as either state
university or college, private university or college, technical vocational
institutions, and local university or college. Any other classification shall be
subject to future legislation. To avoid unnecessary duplication of course
offerings among the aforementioned types of higher education institutions
and to ensure continued complementary growth among said types of higher


education institutions, it is hereby mandated that each type of higher
education institution shall prioritize the offering the specific coursesrelevant
to their mandate.

SECTION 4. Course Offerings of State Universities and Colleges. Every
state university or college shall henceforth prioritize the offering of courses
relating to fields of study will lead to the creation of a pool of human
resources available for endeavors crucial to national development.

SECTION 5. Course Offerings of Private Universities and Colleges. — Every
private university or college shall henceforth offer courses in compliance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) and/or Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

SECTION 6. Course Offerings of Technical and Vocational Institutions. —
Every technical and vocational institution, whether state-run or not shall
only offer courses being regulated by the Technical Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), in accordance with its charter.

SECTION 7. Course Offerings of Local Community Universities and
Colleges. — Every local university or college, shall offer courses that are
relevant to the needs if the community where it is located, including life-
long learning for its residents.

SECTION 8. Course Offerings of any other Institution offering higher
education courses. — All other institutions, not mentioned above such as the
Development Academy of the Philippines, the Local Government Academy
and any other institutions shall only be limited to the offering and conduct of
trainings for the particular target market they serve. Such institutions are
likewise prohibited henceforth from the granting of baccalaureate degrees.

SECTION 9. Funding. - The funds necessary to carry out the provision of
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriation Act of the year
following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules. - The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and the
National Development Authority (NEDA) areherebyjointly tasked to jointly
formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.


SECTION 11. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is held
invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 13. 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.