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

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

4439

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives DAVID “JAY-JAY” C. SUAREZ and
ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the ambit of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Organisation for Animal Health! and the
World Veterinary Association (WVA) is in solidarity that specific veterinary activities, as well as.
the roles and responsibilities of the veterinary profession for public health, are essential to ensure
a continuum in food safety, disease prevention, and emergency management.

In the Philippines, it is by virtue of Republic Act No. 9395, or the SLSU Charter, that has been

mandated in providing advanced education, professional, technological instruction in the fields

of allied medicine, education, engineering, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environment, arts and
sciences, accountancy, business and entrepreneurship, and other relevant fields of study.

This proposed measure seeks to establish a College of Veterinary Medicine in the Southern
Luzon State University Catanauan Campus. In the middle of an existing health crisis, our
veterinarians play an important role in investigating animal and human disease outbreaks such as
food-borne illnesses, influenza, and rabies. They are also essential in protecting our public health
by investigating zoonotic diseases and other diseases affecting the health of animals and people.

By instituting the proposed College in the Municipality of Catanauan, we democratize access to
higher education. Similarly, with Quezon Province being geographically adjacent to animal
agriculture regions, it will primarily benefit from this piece of legislation. To this end, we
improve the health of our animals, which has a domino effect of improving the quality of life for
our communities.

For this reason, the approval of this mensureyis respectfully sought.

ANNA MARIE .ZA-SUAREZ

yfns with nearly 75 other international and resional organisations and has Regional and


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

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4439

Introduced by Representatives DAVID "JAY-JAY" C. SUAREZ and
ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE IN THE SOUTHERN
LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY (SLSU) CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
CATANAUAN, PROVINCE OF QUEZON TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOUTHERN LUZON
STATE UNIVERSITY CATANAUAN-COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the Southern Luzon State University
Catanauan-College of Veterinary Medicine Act.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is hereby established a college of veterinary medicine in the
Southern Luzon State University Campus in the Municipality of Catanauan, Province of Quezon,
to be known as the Southern Luzon State University Catanauan-College of Veterinary Medicine,
hereinafter referred to as the "College.”

Sec. 3. General Mandate. The College shall primarily offer a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine (DVM) Program, which shall be a 6-year course consisting of a 2-year preparatory
veterinary medicine curriculum, including general education courses, and a 4-year professional
veterinary medicine consisting of two-year preparatory veterinary medicine, basic animal sciences,
and veterinary medical sciences.

The primary goal of the program shall be the development of professionals that are adept
in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases, including terrestrial and
aquatic animals.

Sec. 4. /mplementation. — As provided under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9395, the
Governing Board is hereby mandated to be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. Compliance with CHED Requirements. — The provisions of this Act


notwithstanding, the establishment of the College shall become effective only upon the
determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the recommendation of a panel of
experts it shall constitute for the purpose that the institution has complied with the policies,
standards, and guidelines on CHED Memorandum Order No. 01, Series of 2018 for the Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine Program.

Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation when the institution has
substantially complied with the requirements for the program.

Sec. 6. Tax Exemption. ~ The importation of scientific and technical books or
publications, which are for scientific and technical purposes of the College, upon certification
by the CHED shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of
Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization 5 and Tariff Act
(CMTA)."

All grants, bequests, endowment, donations, and contributions made to the College
shall be used actually, directly, and exclusively by the College shall be exempt from donor's
tax, The same shall be allowed deductions from the gross income of the donor for purposes of
computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Sec. 7. Annual Report. —On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second month after
the opening of the regular classes each year, the Governing 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, condition, and needs of the College.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

See. 9, Suppletory Application, ~ The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise
known as the "Higher Education Modemization Act of 1997", shall be an integral part of this
Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the College

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. ~ If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of
this Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules, and
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,