Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JEYZEL VICTORIA C. YU and 
REPRESENTATIVE DIVINA GRACE C. YU 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the policy of the State to promote, and protect the right to accessible, 
equitable and quality education1. Further, it is a commitment of the State to establish, 
maintain, and support a complete adequate, and integrated system of education 
relevant to the needs of the people and society2. 
This bill seeks the conversion of the J.H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC) 
including its organic campuses and its extension units in the Province of Zamboanga 
del Sur into a State University to be known as the Zamboanga del Sur State University 
(ZDSSU). 
Since its conversion into a state college on August 11, 2001, Josefina H. Cerilles 
State College offers undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of education, 
agriculture, fisheries, forestry, engineering, industrial technologies, arts and sciences, 
and other relevant degree courses  
Converting the JHCSC to a state university will benefit the poor but deserving 
students of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur. It will have greater impact in the 
advancement of higher education and professional development of students in their 
chosen field of specialization.  
Further, its conversion into a state university will greatly contribute as an 
economic stimulus in the province. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. JEYZEL VICTORIA C. YU 
2nd District, Zamboanga del Sur 
REP. DIVINA GRACE C. YU 
1st District, Zamboanga del Sur 
1 Section 1, Article XIV, Philippine Constitution. 
2 Paragraph 1 of Section 2, Article XIV, Philippine Constitution. 
August 24, 2022
11:54 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JEYZEL VICTORIA C. YU and 
REPRESENTATIVE DIVINA GRACE C. YU 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE JH CERILLES STATE COLLEGE (JHCSC) IN MATI, SAN 
MIGUEL, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY 
TO BE KNOWN AS THE ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY (ZDSSU), 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Conversion of the JH Cerilles State College into a State 
University. – The JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC)  in the Municipality of San Miguel, 
Province of Zamboanga del Sur, including its organic campuses in the Municipalities 
of Dumingag and Lakewood and the City of Pagadian, and its various extension 
classes all located in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur is hereby converted to a 
state university to be known as the Zamboanga del Sur State University (ZDSSU), 
hereinafter referred to as the University. Its main campus of the University shall be 
located in Barangay Mati, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur. 
Section 2. General Mandate. – The University  shall primarily provide 
advanced education, higher technological, professional, educational, and vocational 
instruction and training in arts and sciences, education, agriculture and industrial fields 
and its allied programs, forestry, hospitality management and tourism, criminology and 
criminal justice, engineering, medical education and its allied medical programs, legal 
education, environmental science and its other allied programs, non-traditional 
4080


courses and other relevant fields of study, as well as short-term technical or vocational 
courses. It shall also undertake research and extension services and production 
activities, in support of the socio-economic development of the Province of 
Zamboanga del Sur and Region IX. 
Section 3. Curricular Offerings. – The University shall offer short-term 
technical-vocation, undergraduate, and graduate courses within its areas of 
competency and specialization in the field of  arts and sciences, teacher education, 
engineering, science and technology, information and communications technology, 
management and entrepreneurship, social work and the social sciences, medical 
education, legal education, tourism, engineering education, criminology and criminal 
justice, and other relevant fields of study, as the Board of Regents may deem 
necessary for the accomplishment of its objectives, and those which respond to meet 
the human resources development needs of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and 
Region IX. 
The existing and any future technical-vocational courses or programs under the 
supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 
shall remain and continue to be offered within the campuses of the University 
especially its organic campus at Lakewood and Dumingag. 
The existing reasonably-sized laboratory senior high school shall continue to 
operate under the supervision of the College of Education of the University to serve 
the in-campus requirements of its students. 
Section 4. Administration. – 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 exercise of its corporate powers shall 
be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, 
and the President of the University. 
Section 5. The Governing Board. – The governing body of the University shall 
be the Board,  which shall be chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the President of the University, 
respectively, and with the following a 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; 
(c) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority; 
(d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology; 
(e) Regional Director of the TESDA; 
(f) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture; 
(g) President of the federation of faculty associations of the University; 
(h) President of the federation of student councils of the University; 
(i) President of the federation of alumni associations of the University; and, 
(j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from a list of at least five 
(5) qualified persons in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur where the University and 
its campuses are located, as recommended by the search committee constituted by 
the President of the University, 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 serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of 
appointment. 
The membership of the President of the federation of faculty associations, the 
President of the federation of student councils, and the President of the federation of 
alumni associations in the Board shall be coterminous with their terms of office, as 
provided under their respective constitutions and by laws. 
Section 6. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. – In addition to its 
general powers of administration and the powers granted to the board of directors of 
a corporation under existing laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers 
and duties: 
(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 Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as 
the "Higher Education Act of 1994"; 
(b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn 
by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided; 
(c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the University, the 
vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members 
and other officials and employees of the University; 
(d) Fix and adjust the 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; 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 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 University, 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 University.  
Any provision of existing laws, rules or 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 service or other programs and 
projects of the University: 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 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) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees 
for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 10931 or the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary 
Education Act"; 
(g) Establish professional chairs in the University and provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students; 
(h) Receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the 
University, and all other sums in the manner it may determine, in its 
discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the 
University; 
(i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students; 
(j) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and 
technology, agriculture or any field of specialization within the academic 
competency of the University, and authorize the awarding of certificates of 
completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses; 
(k) Establish research and extension centers to promote the development of 
the University; 
(l) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local and 
foreign, and appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or 
visiting/exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be; 


(m) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for the 
promotion of greater access to education such as the use of information 
technology, dual training system, open distance learning, and community 
laboratory; 
(n) Collaborate with the governing boards of the state universities and colleges 
(SUCs) within the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and Region IX, under the 
supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM), in restructuring the University to make it more 
efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
(o) Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Zamboanga 
del Sur and Region IX, as branches and extension/external centers, in 
coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the DBM, and offer 
therein programs or courses to carry out the constitutional mandate of 
providing equal access to educational opportunities; 
(p) Authorize an external management audit of the University, to be financed 
by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on 
Audits, and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on 
the basis of the audit results and recommendations; 
(q) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units (LGUs), as well as public, private, local and foreign 
institutions and agencies, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives 
of the University; 
(r) Import economic, technical and cultural books and publications; 
(s) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
development and management of the economic assets, the proceeds of 


which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the 
University; 
(t) Receive, in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds and 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; 
(u) Extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
retirement but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines, 
qualifications and standards set by the Board: Provided, That the 
President's performance has been rated by the Board as outstanding and a 
unanimous recommendation has been decided upon by the search 
committee; 
(v) Delegate any of its powers and duties provided to the President and other 
officials of the University, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the 
administration of the affairs of the University; 
(w) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent 
decision-making and transparency within the University; 
(x) Where most advantageous to the University, privatize the management of 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance, and such other similar activities; 
(y) 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, 
(z) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the University. 


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 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 University 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 the 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 University, as  Vice-
Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer: Provided, further, That this provision 
notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to 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 
will not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective 
representatives to attend the meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
responsibilities as regular members 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 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 University shall be headed by a 
President, who shall render full-time service and shall be appointed by the Board, 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board, based on the 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The University President 
shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment to another 
term: Provided, That in order to effect the smooth transition of the college to a state 
university, the incumbent President of the JHCSC, if qualified, shall serve as the first 
University 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. 
The Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the University 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, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the Officer-
in-Charge shall serve only during the unexpired portion of the term. 
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 
Republic Act No. 11466 or the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019 ",  and by such 


other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, 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, a Vice President for Administration, and a Vice President for 
Research, Development, and Extension Services, who shall be appointed by the 
Board upon the recommendation of the President of the University. 
Section 9. The Secretary of the University. – The Board shall appoint a 
Secretary who shall serve as such for both the Board and the University, and who shall 
keep all the records and proceedings of the Board. The Secretary of the University 
shall serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings. 
Section 10. The Treasurer of the University. – The Treasurer of the Philippines 
shall be an ex-officio Treasurer of the University. 
Section 11. The Administrative Council. – There shall be an Administrative 
Council consisting of the President of the University as Chairperson, and the vice 
presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, that shall 
review and recommend to the Board the policies that shall govern the administration, 
management and development planning of the University. 
Section 12. The Academic Council. – There shall be an Academic Council that 
shall formulate academic policies. It shall be composed of the President of the 
University, who shall act as Chairperson, and all 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 conferment of degrees, subject to review and approval of the 
Board through the President of the University. 
It shall have disciplinary power over students of the University and shall 
formulate rules and regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
Section 13. Heads of University Campuses. – The Campus Directors shall 
respectively serve as heads or administrators of the University's campuses and shall 
render full-time service. 
They shall be appointed or designated by the Board, upon the recommendation 
of the search committee and the President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications 
and standards set by the Board: Provided, That, upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
incumbent Campus Directors of the existing campuses of the JHCSC shall serve as 
such. 
Section 14. The Faculty. – No political belief, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter 
of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, That said 
appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the 
Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any 
particular church or religious sector. 


Section 15. 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. 
Section 16. Admission/Scholarship Program. – The University shall provide 
scholarship and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving 
students who qualify for admission to the University. 
No student shall be denied admission to the University by reason of gender, 
religion, cultural, political or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
Section 17. Authority to Loan or transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies 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 
President of the University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed 
by the University, and detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the 
head of the bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or service of such 
employees can be spared without serious detriment to public service. 
The employee so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the 
President of the University and the time they served shall be counted as part of their 
regular service. 
Section 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. – All assets, real and personal, 
personnel, and records of the JHCSC, as well as its liabilities or obligations, are hereby 
transferred to the University: Provided, That the positions, rights and security of tenure 
of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the 
conversion to a university shall be respected: Provided, further, That the incumbents 


occupying the positions shall remain in the same status until otherwise provided for by 
the Board: Provided, finally, That the University shall also accordingly upgrade or 
increase its human resource component as may be deemed appropriate by the Board. 
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the JHCSC and all 
its campuses are hereby declared to be the property of the University, and shall be 
titled under its name: Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be 
abolished, or should such aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed by the 
University, the same shall revert to the concerned LGU or to the Republic of the 
Philippines, as the case may be. 
Section 19. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. – The importation 
by the University of economic, technical and cultural books or publications, which are 
for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural 
purposes, upon certification by the CHED, be exempt from customs duties in 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the 
"Customs Modernization and tariff Act (CMTA)". 
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions made to and 
used actually, directly and exclusively by the University,  shall be exempt from donor's 
tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction 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. 
Section 20. Compliance with CHED Requirements. – The provisions of this Act 
notwithstanding, the conversion of the JHCSC 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 institution 
has complied with the requirements for university status based on CHED 
Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012, (Policy-Standard to Enhance Quality 
Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher Education through an Outcomes-based and 
Typology-Based QA): Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation 
when the JHCSC 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 a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from basic 
post-secondary to doctoral programs; 
(c) Conduct of visible research programs in specific disciplinal and 
multidisciplinary areas of study that produce new knowledge, as evidenced 
by referred 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 linkage and affiliation with other research institutions in 
various parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the 
University are functioning at current global standards; and, 
(f) 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, through its regional office, shall regularly provide technical 
assistance to the University and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the 
Commission. 
The JHCSC shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able 
to comply with the requirements provided herein. 
Section 21.  Development Plan, Management Audit, and Organizational, 
Administrative, and Academic Structure. – Within a 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 program budget to the 
CHED for recommendation to the DBM;  
(b) Set up the organizational, administrative, and academic structure, including 
the appointment of key officials of the University; and, 
(c) Undergo a management audit in coordination with the CHED. 
Section 22. Filing of Report. – On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the 
second (2nd) month after 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, 
condition, and needs of the University. 
Section 23. Suppletory Application. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part 
of this Act, and shall serve as part of the governing charter of the University. 
Section 24. Parity Clause. – All other powers, functions, privileges,      
responsibilities, and limitations under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or 
imposed upon the University and its officials, whenever appropriate. 
Section 25. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the 
JHCSC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and 
maintenance of the University shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
Section 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the 
rules and regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act. 
Section 27. 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 shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 28. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


Section 29. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,