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Republic of the Philippines Ke
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fo} RECEIVED
Constitution Hills, Quezon City DATE _July 25, 2023
* TIME
NINETEENTH CONGRESS \& BY
Second Regular Session <<

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HOUSE BILL NO. _8599

Introduced by 2™ District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE NORTHERN MINDANAO SCHOOL OF FISHERIES IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUENAVISTA, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL
NORTE, INTO THE NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO POLYTECHNIC
INSTITUTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is centered on social justice and an essential
institution with which to achieve it is education. Thus, Section 1, Article XIV of the
Constitution mandates 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.

Likewise, Section 17, Article II states that the State shall give priority to education,
science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

‘The conversion of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries into the Northeastern
Mindanao Polytechnic Institute will provide the people of Agusan del Norte and neighboring
provinces with much-needed relevant technical and vocational programs.

Didrict bf Agusan del Norte


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _8599

Introduced by 2" District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE NORTHERN MINDANAO SCHOOL OF FISHERIES IN.
THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUENAVISTA, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL
NORTE, INTO THE NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO POLYTECHNIC
INSTITUTE, 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 “Northeastern Mindanao
Polytechnic Institute Act”.

Section 2. Conversion — The Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries in the
Municipality of Buenavista, Province of Agusan del Norte, is hereby converted into a
polytechnic institute, to be known as the Northeastem Mindanao Polytechnic Institute
(NEMPD), hereinafter referred to as the Institute, under the supervision and administration of
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Section 3. General Mandate. — The Institute shall primarily provide undergraduate
technical-vocational education, and shall likewise ensure the provision of various skills
trainings and trade specialization courses relevant to the needs of the province, specifically
geared towards the acquisition of employable skills, gainful employment both local and abroad,
practical livelihood, and entrepreneurship.

It shall offer various TESDA-registered TVET programs and certificate courses, and
shall aim to meet the competency requirements under Level V of PQF, which is the Diploma
Level in TVET. In line with the adoption of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF)
and the Senior High School Program of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Institute
shall endeavor to restructure its technical-vocational education and training (TVET) curricular
programs to make them responsive to the rapidly changing demands of the industry and the
labor market in both the domestic and global fronts, and within the context of the mutual



recognition arrangements and relevant international agreements for technical-vocational
education,

The Institute shall serve as a TESDA-accredited assessment center for acquired
competencies in TVET programs in the Province of Agusan del Norte. It shall also provide
teachers’ training and curriculum design assistance to the secondary schools offering the
technical-vocational livelihood track under the K to 12 Program, in coordination with the
DepEd, the TESDA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Section 4. Admissions — Priority admission to the Institute, including availment of
scholarships, grants-in-aid, and other forms of student financial assistance, shall be given to
the most economically disadvantaged students, out-of-school youths, persons with disabilities,
and indigenous peoples of the Province of Agusan del Norte, to ensure their development into
productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive skilled labor assets.

Section 5. Curricular Offering / Training Programs. ~The Institute shall offer diploma
courses and undergraduate certificate, including short-term courses and modular trainings in
diverse relevant technical-vocational and industrial technology education to comply with
employment standards in preferred market-driven labor opportunities, but shall give premium
efforts to skills specialization for local market employment requirements geared towards
achieving the development needs for a robust inclusive economy of the Province of Agusan
del Norte, in coordination with the DOLE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
business-industry partners, and such other relevant agencies.

The Institute may establish research and technology hubs, mobile training programs,
and satellite or extension training centers in priority areas throughout the Province of Agusan
del Norte to strengthen linkages among industry, the academe, and the technology programs of
the Institute.

In the delivery of learning modules, the Institute shall adopt the use of innovative
training modes such as information technology-assisted instruction, dual training system, open
distance learning, community laboratory, virtual and blended learning modes, and such other
instructional programs to promote greater access to TVET and other skills training programs.

The Institute shall offer skills development options for higher competency
qualifications in technical-industrial education, trade technology, tourism, agricultural
technology, business literacy, and innovation in TESDA-registered skills courses as follows:

a. Skills training in industrial technology and hard trades such as metal and steelwork,
machine fabrication and operation, heavy equipment operation, automotive
mechanical assembly, reftigeration and air conditioning, electronics, and operation
of power tools and equipment for both medium skills grade and industrial purposes;

b. Agriculture and aquaculture-related trainings and skills development in such areas
as farming technology, fishing operations technology, backyard farming and home-
based aquaculture and propagation innovations, mechanized farm tools and


equipment operation, agribusiness and agri-aqua trade technology and innovations,
and relevant farmers and fisherfolks’ training for increased productivity and
entrepreneurshiy

c. Livelihood skills development courses for preferred skills employment and small-
scale entrepreneurship, including practical skills education in arts and crafts,
workmanship and design, high-speed sewing, dressmaking and tailoring,
horticulture, livestock raising and breeding, food processing technology, home
technology, culinary arts and commercial cooking, cosmetology, and health and
wellness training;

d. Basic business literacy training in financial management, marketing, practical
accountancy, bookkeeping, office procedures, business processes and application
procedures, including registration, licensing, documentation, business patent and
intellectual property regulation, business financing and investment opportunities
sourcing, import-export accreditation, online home-based business operation, and
use of social media business marketing;

e. Technical-vocational occupation and trades skills such as carpentry, masonry,
plumbing, welding, practical electricity and installation, automotive servicing,
electronics servicing, personal computer servicing, and such other relevant practical
skills courses;

£ Computer literacy and information technology-related sills, digital technology, web
design, animation, photoshop/online photography, computer design, and
advertising:

g. Social communication skills development and language proficiency courses in
English and other languages for business process outsourcing employment and
‘overseas job placement;

h. Seminars on personality development, career counseling and job placement, and
work ethic and values; and

i. Other preferred priority skills that may be needed by the people of Agusan del Norte
to enhance their capacities Tor practical livelihood, gainrul employment, and

entrepreneurship skills.

Section 6. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. ~ All assets, both personal and real,
personnel, records, and documents of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries, as well as
liabilities or obligations, shall be transferred to the Institute: Provided, That the ranks, rights,
benefits, and security of tenure of faculty and personnel therein employed pursuant to existing
laws, rules and regulations, and other relevant issuances, prior to its conversion into the
Institute, shall not be impaired.


Alll parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Northern Mindanao
School of Fisheries are hereby declared property of the Northeastern Mindanao Polytechnic
Institute and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the Institute cease to exist
or such aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed by the Institute, the ownership of
the same shall ipso facto revert to the Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned at the time of
reversion.

Section 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Northern Mindanao
School of Fisheries. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the TESDA, in coordination with the DOLE, DTI, concerned LGUs, and
other relevant government agencies, shall formulate the rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section, clause or term of this
Act is held to be illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration
shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive
orders, letters of instruction, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,