Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED

30 JUN 205

Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

i”
House Bill No. 23

Introduced by Representative NIKO RAUL S.J. DAZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

Article XIV, Section | of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states 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.”

Furthermore, Section 4, paragraph | of the same Article affirms that “The State
recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the educational system
and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions.”

In keeping with these constitutional directives, this bill aims to improve the delivery of
educational services and make them more accessible to the people of Northem Samar. At
present, residents are compelled to travel around six (6) to seven (7) hours just to reach
Tacloban City, the regional center where the nearest CHED sutellited office is located—a
journey which poses a significant challenge, particularly for students and families who are in
dire need of assistance.

Education plays a critical role in national development and in empowering the youth to
become productive members of society. As such, it is essential that government services related
to education, particularly those offered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), be
within easier reach of students in remote provinces.

This proposed bill seeks to address that need by facilitating more direct and convenient
access to CHED services for the people of Northern Samar. These services include, but are not
limited to, applications and follow-ups for student financial assistance, grants, and other
educational programs.

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

NIKO RAUL SJ. DAZA
Representative, 1” District of Northern Samar


of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 253

Introduced by Representative NIKO RAUL S.J. DAZA.

“AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED) IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR, AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established a provincial office of the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) in the Province of Northern Samar, to be known as the CHED-Northern Samar
Provincial Office, which shall exercise jurisdiction over the said province and shall be headed by a
provincial director. The CHED-Northern Samar Provincial Office shall be located in the Municipality
of Catarman, Province of Northern Samar.

SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the CHED, in coordination with
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall determine the organizational structure and
staffing pattern for the CHED-Northern Samar Provincial Office. The said organizational structure
and staffing pattern shall be submitted to the Chairperson of the CHED and the Secretary of the DBM
for approval.

‘SEC. 3. The Chairperson of the CHED shall immediately include in the CHED’s programs
the operationalization of the CHED-Northemn Samar Provincial Office.

SEC. 4. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

‘SEC. 5. The CHED shalll issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from approval.

‘SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,