FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
WED BY : 
*”I- 
c 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Bicol Region is to date, still primarily an agricultural economy. 
Agricultural land use accounts for more or less 57 percent of the region’s total 
land area, and about 76 percent of its population depends on agricultural 
activities for income and employment. 
However, the region’s agricultural sector has seen a consistent downturn 
over the years. While a majority of the region’s population relies on agriculture 
for their sustenance and living, the agricultural sector’s contribution to the 
region’s total economic output has declined sharply through the years from a 
high of 44% in 1985 to 32% in 2000. 
This laggard perfonnance of Bicol’s 
agriculture sector can ultimately be traced to a combination of factors, among 
them the low yield and productivity of farmers in the region and the lack of 
available value-adding activities which can maximize the productivity of the 
region’s traditional agricultural products like pili nut, abaca. 
This poor 
performance in turn, can ultimately be traced to out-dated farming practices and 
the region’s unfortunate geographical position which makes it a frequent victim 
of weather and other geophysical phenomena like typhoons and volcanic 
eruptions. 
The need to modernize the agricultural sector in the Bicol region is 
therefore imperative. Towards this end, the establishment of a center of 
excellence in agricultural education, research and development in the Bicol 
region through the establishment of the proposed Central Bicol State UniveBity 
of Agriculture, which shall be based on the present Camarines Sur State 
Agricultural College may be seen as a necessary step to address and correct the 
continued decline in the performance of the region’s agricultural sector. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


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,.E .'.,>'if 
t <J* i_ii ^,ECI',E'TARY 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
PR 28 P22Q 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
SENATE 
/ 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE CAMARINES SUR STATE AGRICULTURAL 
COLLEGE 
IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY 
OF 
PILI, 
PROVINCE 
OF 
CAMARINES SUR INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Camarines Sur State Agricultural 
College in the Municipality of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur is hereby 
converted into a state university to be known as the Central Bicol State 
University of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the University. 
SEC. 2. General Mandafe. - The University shall primarily provide both 
advanced instruction and research in agriculture and allied technological 
sciences including education, arts and related sciences. It shall also undertake 
extension and development programs, and provide necessary instructional 
and research leadership in agricultural, environmental and technological 
development in the Bicol Region. 
SEC. 3. Curricular Ofirings. - The University shall offer undergraduate 
and graduate courses in the fields of agriculture, environmental management, 
engineering, education, arts and sciences, and other degree courses within its 
areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of 
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Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives and in order to meet 
the needs of the Province of Camarines Sur and the Bicol Region. 
The existing high school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and 
supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd): Provided, That the high 
school shall be allowed to remain and operate within the campus of the 
University until the existing students shall have completed their high school 
education: Provided, @+her, That the University may operate a reasonably- 
sized laboratory school, if it has a College of Education. 
SEC. 4. Administrution. - The University shall have the general powers 
of a corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Blg. 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, hereindter referred to as the Board, which shall 
be composed of the following: 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Education 
(CHED), Chairperson; 
The President of the University, Vice Chairperson; 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and 
Culture of the Senate, member; 
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; 
The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture 
(DA), member; 
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The President of the faculty association of the University, 
member; 
The President of the student council of the University, 
member; 
The President of the alumni association of the University, 
member; and 
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 Camarines Sur, as 
recommended by the search committee constituted by the University 
President, in consultation with the chairperson of the CHED and other 
members of the Board, based on the normal standards and qualifications for 
the position. 
The term of office of the President of the faculty association, the 
President of the student council and the President of the alumni association 
shall be coterminous with their respective terms of office, as set forth in their 
respective constitutions and bylaws. 
The (two) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years 
from the date of appointment. 
SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board shall 
promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies on education and other pertinent 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". 
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SEC. 7. 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. 
(4 
To promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for 
the support of the University in the manner it may determine 
in its discretion, in order to carry out the purposes and 
functions of the University; 
To import duty-free economic, technical, and cultural books 
and/or publications, upon certification by the CHED that 
such imported books and/or publications are for economic, 
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or 
cultural purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the 
Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended; 
To receive in trust legacies, g&s 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. 
(b) 
(4 
(4 
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same 
shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the 
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions 
of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended Provided, 
That such donations shall not be disposed of, transferred or sold; 
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(4 
To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges 
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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 therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the 
use of the University. 
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; 
(f) 
To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and 
school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
TO authorize the construction of repair of its buildings, 
machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase 
(g) 
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and acquisition of real property, including necessary 
supplies, materials and equipment; 
To appoint upon recommendation of the President of the 
University, Vice Presidents, deans, heads, directors, heads of 
campuses, faculty members, and other officials and 
employees of the University; 
(h) 
(i) 
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 country notwithstanding; and to remove them for 
cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of 
law. 
To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of 
discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic 
Councils herein provided; 
To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of 
their outstanding contribution in the fields of education, 
public service, arts, science and technology, agriculture or in 
any field of specialization within the academic competence 
of the University; and to authorize the awarding of 
0) 
(k) 
(1) 
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certificates of completion of nondegree and non-traditional 
courses; 
To establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions 
(4 
within the Province of Camarines Sur 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; 
To establish research and extension centers of the University 
where such will promote the development of the latter; 
To establish professorial chairs in the University and to 
provide fellowships for qualified faculty members and 
scholarships to deserving students; 
(4 
(0) 
(P) 
To delegate any of its powers and duties provided 
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; 
(4 
To authorize an external 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; 
To collaborate with other governing boards of the state 
colleges and universities within the Province of Camarines 
Sur or the Bicol Region, under the supervision of the CHED 
and in consultation with the DBM, and work towards the 
(4 
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restructuring of the University to become more efficient, 
relevant, productive and competitive; 
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; 
To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages 
(4 
(9 
with local government units, institutions and agencies, both 
public and private, local and foreign, in the furtherance of 
the purposes and objectives of the University; 
(4 
To develop economic 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 or researchers, as 
the case may be; 
(4 
To set up the adoption of modern 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; 
(4 
To establish policy 
guidelines and procedures for 
participative decision-making and transparency within the 
University; 
To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, 
management of nonacademic services such as health, food, 
(4 
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building or grounds or property maintenance and such other 
similar activities; and 
To extend 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. 
(Y) 
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at 
least once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon 
three (3) days' prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special 
meetings whenever necessary. 
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all of 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 
CHED, 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, $.&her, 
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 
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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. 9. 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 the recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. 
He/she shall serve for a term of four (4) years and 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 Camarines Sur 
State Agricultural College shall ipso facto become the first president of the 
University. 
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 have the 
authority to designate an Officer-in-Charge of the University pending the 
appointment of a new President. 
In case of a 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. 
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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 a Vice President for 
Academic Affairs and a Vice President for Administration who shall be 
appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President. 
SEC. 10. The 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. 11. Trze Acudemic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to 
be composed of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, 
and all the 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 the 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 
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University and shall formulate academic policies and rules and regulations on 
discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
SEC. 12. The Secrefuy 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. 13. The Treasurer of the Universify. - The Treasurer of the 
Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the University. 
SEC. 14. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural 
or community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation 
shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the 
University: Provided, however, 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 ProgramJAdmission. - The University shall provide 
a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor 
but deserving students who quallfy 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. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University 
shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to 
paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the 
Philippines. 
SEC. 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer Appuratus/Equipmentupplies 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 
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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 the 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. 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
personnel and records of the Camarines Sur State Agricultural 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 conversion into a 
University shall be respected. 
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the 
Camarines Sur State Agricultural College are hereby declared to be property 
of the University and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should 
the University cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of land 
aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the same shall revert 
to the national government. 
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 Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, except the 
sums needed to continue the operations of the existing high school. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and 
maintenance of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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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. 
Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the 
CHED; and 
Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as 
well as academic structure, including the appointment of 
the University key officials. 
(b) 
(4 
SEC. 21. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the 
second (2nd) month after the 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. 
8292, 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. 
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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. Efiectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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