Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _33§8

Introduced by Representative ZALDY “JECOY” S. VILLA

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE
UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education is key to progress. For a small island province like Siquijor, access to quality
higher education can make all the difference in unlocking opportunities, fighting poverty,
and empowering the next generation.

Siquijor State College, with its main campus in Larena and its extension campus in Lazi,
has long served as the center of higher learning in the province. It has helped countless
young Siquijodnons earn college degrees and improve their lives without having to leave
their families or travel to faraway cities.

This bill seeks to convert Siquijor State College into a State University, a move that will
expand its academic programs, enhance research and extension services, and strengthen its
role in regional development. As a university, it will have greater capacity to offer advanced
degrees, attract top educators, and receive more government support.

More than just a name change, this transition is a big step forward for Siquijor. It means
better facilities, more opportunities for students, and a stronger push toward local innovation
and inclusive growth.


By investing in the future of Siquijor’s education system, we invest in its people—and in a
better, brighter future for the province.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ZAI ‘OY” S. VILLA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 33 68

Introduced by Representative ZALDY “JECOY” S. VILLA

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE
UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Conversion. — The Siquijor State College (SSC) in the Municipality of
Larena, Province of Siquijor, including its extension campus in the Municipality of Lazi,
Province of Siquijor known as the Siquijor State College-Lazi Campus (formerly the Lazi
Skills Development Center), is converted into a state university to be known as the State
University of Siquijor (SUS). The main campus shall be in the Municipality of Larena

SECTION 2. General Mandate. — The SUS shall primarily provide advanced instruction
and professional training in education, law, art and science, public administration,
information technology, accountancy, business and industry, agriculture, forestry, maritime
education, engineering, nursing and health allied courses, and other fields of study. It shall
promote research and extension services and shall provide progressive leadership in its areas
of specialization.

SECTION 3. Curricular Offerings. — The SUS shall offer short-term technical- vocational,
undergraduate, and graduate courses in the fields of education, law, art and science, public
administration, information technology, accountancy, business and industry, agriculture,
forestry, maritime education, engineering, nursing and health allied courses, and other
degree courses, as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, and
those which respond to the human resource development needs of the Province of Siquijor
and Region VIL.

SECTION 4. Administration. — The SUS shall have the general powers of a corporation as
set forth in the Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the “Revised Corporation
Code of the Philippines”. The administration of the SUS and the exercise of its corporate
powers shalll be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the SUS.


SEC. 5. The Board of Regents. — The governing body of the SUS shall be the Board of
Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired by the Chairperson of
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and vice-chaired by the President of the
SUS, and with the following as members:

(a) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education
of the Senate;

(b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House
of Representatives;

(©) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority;

(d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology;

(e) President of the federation of faculty associations of the SU!
(£) President of the federation of student councils of the SUS:
(g) President of the federation of alumni associations of the SUS;

(h) Representative of the nonteaching or personnel association of the SUS; and

(i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.

‘The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a list of at
least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Siquijor, as recommended by a Search
Committee constituted by the President of the SUS, in consultation with the Chairperson of
the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the standards and qualifications for
the position set by the Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of
appointment.

The terms of office of the Presidents of the federation of faculty associations, federation of
student councils, federation of alumni associations, and the Representative of the
nonteaching personnel shall be coterminous with their terms of office, as provided under
their respective constitutions and bylaws

SECTION 6. Powers and Duties of the Board, ~ The administration of the SUS and the
exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board, which 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 Section
35 of RA No. 11232:

(a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies
on education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education,
agriculture, science and technology, and the policies, standards and thrusts of the
CHED under RA No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of
1994”;

(b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline
drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils, as herein provided;


(c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, the vice
presidents, chancellors, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members,
and other officials and employees of the SUS;

(d) Fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members, 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; 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
remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements of the civil service rules
and regulations and due process of law;

(e) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as matriculation
fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose,
after due consultation with the concerned sectors. The fees and charges, including
government subsidies and other income generated by the SUS, shall constitute its
special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository
bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for
the use of the SUS; Any provision of existing law, rule or regulation to the contrary
notwithstanding, any income generated by the SUS from tuition fees and other
charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be
retained by the SUS and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research,
extension services, and other programs or projects of the SUS: Provided, That all
fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which these are
collected: Provided, however, That if, for reasons beyond its control, the SUS 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 SUS;

(f) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for
greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with RA No. 10931,
otherwise known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”;

(g) Establish professorial chairs in the SUS and provide fellowships for qualified
faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;

(h) Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided for by law for the support of
the SUS, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry
out the purposes and functions of the SUS;

{i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;
(j) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding

contributions in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology
sports and human kinetics or any field of specialization within the academic


competency of the SUS, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of
nondegree and nontraditional courses;

(k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with
appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and
appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange
professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be:

(1) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow greater
access to education such as the use of information technology, online programs, the
dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory;

(m) Absorb non-chartered tertiary education institutions within the Province of
Siquijor and Region VII as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in
coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the
constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities;

(n) Authorize an external management audit of the SUS, to be financed by the
CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute
reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results
and recommendations;

(0) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government
units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies for the
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the SUS;

(p) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications;

(q) Enter into joint ventures with business industry for the profitable growth and
management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the
development and strengthening of the SUS;

(r) Receive, in trust, all legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties
ofall kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for the benefit
of the SUS and subject to the limitations, directions, and instructions of the donor,
if any;

(s) Extend the term of the President of the SUS beyond the age of retirement, but not
beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines on qualification standards
set by the Board: Provided, That the President’s performance has been rated by the
Board as outstanding and a unanimous recommendation for such extension has been
decided upon by the Search Committee;

(t) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President and other officials of the
SUS, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs
of the SUS;


(u) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for partici
decision-making within the SUS;

ive and transparent

(v) Where most advantageous to the SUS, privatize the management of nonacademic
services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance, and such
other similar activities;

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

(x) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes
and functions of the SUS.

SECTION 7. Meetings of the Board. — The Board shall regularly convene once every three
(3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting whenever
necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to the
conduct of said meeting. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a 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 SUS is among those present in the meeting. In case the
Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED Commissioner
duly designated by Chairperson of the CHED as representative to the meeting, shall have
all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, That during the meeting,
the President of the SUS, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer: Provided,
further, That this provision notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED may designate a
CHED Commissioner as the regular Chairperson of the Board, in which case, the said
CHED Commissioner shall act as the presiding officer. In case the Chairpersons of the
Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and the House
Committee on Higher and Technical Education shall not be able to attend the Board
meeting, they may designate their respective representatives who shall have the same rights
and responsibilities as regular members of the Board. The members of the Board shall serve
without compensation other than reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses
incurred, either for their attendance to the meetings of the Board or in connection with other
official business authorized by resolutions of the Board, subject to existing laws and
regulations.

SECTION 8. The University President. ~ The SUS shall be headed by a President who\
shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualification standards, and
based on the recommendation of a Search Committee duly constituted for the purpose of
selecting the President. The President of the SUS shall render full-time service for a term of
four (4) years, and may be reappointed to another term. Within six (6) months before the
expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the SUS, the Board shall
constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency. The powers and duties of the President
of the SUS, in addition to those specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually
pertaining to the Office of the President of universities and those delegated by the Board


The salary of the President of the SUS shall be in accordance with RA No. 11466, otherwise
known as the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and such other laws amendatory
thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and on the joint circular for state universities and
colleges’ leveling instruments, and guidelines of the CHED and the DBM. 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 the
office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the SUS, pending the
appointment of a new President: Provided, That the OIC shall serve only during the
unexpired portion of the term. The President of the SUS shall be assisted by the following
officials: Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Administration, Planning,
and Finance; and Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension. They shall all
be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS from a list
submitted by the Search Committee.

SEC. 9. The Secretary. — The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as such for
both the Board and the SUS and shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board in
addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the SUS shall serve upon each
member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings.

SECTION 10. The Treasurer. — The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio
Treasurer of the SUS.

SECTION 11. The Administrative Council. — There shall be an Administrative Council
consisting of the President of the SUS, as Chairperson, and the vice-president, deans,
director, and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to review and
recommend to the Board such policies governing the administration, management, and
development planning of the SUS.

SECTION 12. The Academic Council, — There shall be an Academic Council consisting
of the President of the SUS, as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at least
an assistant professor, as members, which shall formulate academic policies. The Academic
Council shall review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules on student discipline,
fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their graduation and
conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the students and formulate rules
and regulations on student discipline, subject to the review and approval of the Board
through the President of the SUS. It shall have disciplinary power over the students of the
SUS and shall formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the approval
of the Board

SECTION 13. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. — The SUS shall enjoy
academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article
XIV of the Constitution.

SECTION 14. The Faculty. — No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community
affiliation, ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in
the appointment of faculty members of the SUS: Provided, That the appointment shall be
subject to the guidelines on qualification standards set by the Board: Provided, further, That


a member of the faculty shall not criticize, vouch for, recruit members in behalf of, or preach
about any particular church or religious sect.

SECTION 15. Head of the Campus. - A campus shall be headed by a Campus Director
who shall render full-time service. The Campus Director shall be appointed by the Board,
upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, subject to the guidelines on
qualification standards set by the Board. The Campus Director shall serve a term of two (2)
years without reappointment.

SECTION 16. Scholarship Programs and Admission. - The SUS shall provide scholarship
programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who
qualify for admission to the SUS. No student shall be denied admission to the SUS by reason
of sex, religion, political, cultural or community affiliation, and ethnic origin.

SECTION 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer of Apparatus, Equipment or Supplies, and
Detail of Personnel. — The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government are
authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the SUS, such apparatus,
‘equipment or supplies as may be needed by the SUS and to detail employees for duty therein
when, in the judgement of the head of the bureau of office, the apparatus, equipment,
supplies or service 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 SUS and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their regular
service.

SECTION 18. Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel. — All assets, both real and personal,
personnel and records of the SSC, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be transferred
to the SUS: Provided, That the positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty members
and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversion into a University
shall be respected. All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSC
and its extension campus are declared as property of the SUS, and titled under its name
Provided, That should the SUS cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned
parcels of land be no longer needed by the SUS, the same shall revert to the Municipality
of Larena or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.

SECTION 19. Duty and Tax Exemptions. — The importation of books or publications,
which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical, legal or
cultural purposes made by the SUS, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from
customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA No. 10863, otherwise known as the
“Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)”. Alll grants, bequests, endowments,
donations, and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively for
educational purposes by the SUS, shall be exempt from donor’s tax and the same shall be
considered as allowable deductions from gross income 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.

SECTION 20. Compliance with the CHED Requirements. — Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Act, the conversion of the SSC to a state university shall become effective


only upon the determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the recommendation
of a panel of experts constituted for the purpose, that the SSC has complied with the
requirements for a university status based on the CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series
of 2012 or the Policy Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance in Philippine Higher
Education Through an Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based Quality Assurance
Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation when the SSC has substantially
complied with the requirements for the grant of university status. The following operational
requirements for a university, as established by the CHED, shall be complied with:

(a) Employment of full-time, permanent faculty members who possess relevant
degrees in their areas of specialization, as required by the CHED, and shall have
participated in research and development activities in their respective disciplines, as
evidenced by refereed publications and other scholarly outputs;

(b) Offering of a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from basic
postsecondary to doctorate programs;

(c) Conduct of viable research programs in specific disciplinal and multidisciplinary
areas of study that produce new knowledge, as evidenced by refereed publications,
citations, inventions, and patents, among others;

(d) Establishment of comprehensive learning resources and support structures, to
include libraries, practicum laboratories, relevant educational resources, and
linkages with relevant disciplinal and professional sectors, so as to allow students to
explore basic, advance, and even cutting-edge knowledge in a wide range of
disciplines or professions:

(e) Maintenance of linkages and affiliation with other research institutions in various
parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the SUS are functioning at
current global standards; and

(£) Conduct of outreach activities to allow the students, faculty, and research staff to
apply the new knowledge they generate to address specific social development
problems. The CHED shall, through its regional office, regularly provide technical
assistance to the SUS and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the
CHED. The SSC shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is
able to comply with the requirements provided herein.

SECTIN 21. Development Plan and Organizational Structure. - Within one hundred
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the SUS shall accomplish the following:

(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program
budget to the CHED and the DBM;

(b) Submit the revised Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan in accordance
with RA No. 11396, otherwise known as the “SUCs Land Use Development and
Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) Act”;


(c) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and

(d) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure, including
the designation of the key officials and other administrative personnel of the SUS.

SECTION 22. Filing of Report. — On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second (2nd)
month after the opening of regular classes each year, the Board shall file a detailed report
on its compliance with the requirements for a university status with the Office of the
President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the Chairperson of the
CHED.

SECTION 23. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the
SSC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this,
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. SEC. 24. Suppletory
Application. - The provisions of RA No. 8292, otherwise known as the “Higher Education
Modernization Act of 1997”, shall form part of this Act.

SECTION 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and
regulations to implement its provisions.

SECTION 26. 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 are in
full force and effect

SECTION 27. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 28. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved.