THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE P ” E S  
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Second Replar Session 
1 
6 FEB 23 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Caraga Administrative Region (Region XIII), located at the northeastern 
portion of the island of Mindanao, is the newest region in the Philippines. It was 
created through Republic Act No. 7901 on 25 February 1995. The region has four (4) 
provinces, namely: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao 
del Sur; three (3) cities: Butuan, Surigao and Bislig; seventy (70) municipalities and 
1,346 barangays, with Butuan City as the regional center. All these four (4) provinces 
are included in the poorest 44 provinces in the country. 
One of the findings of the 1993 EDCOM Report is that higher education in 
the Philippines is characterized by an “imbalanced distribution of state colleges and 
universities in the country.” True to form, though it has four state colleges, the 
Caraga Region is the only region in the country today that has no state university. 
This bill now seeks to convert the Northern Mindanao State Institute of 
Science and Technology (NORMISIST), the Northern Mindanao College of Arts, 
Science and Technology (NMCAST), the Siargao National College of Science and 
Technology (SNCST) into the CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (CSUS). 
The NORMISIST in Butuan City shall be the main campus, with the NMCAST in 
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte and SNCST in Siargao, Surigao del Norte as the 
other campuses. 
As a region with one of the highest poverty and subsistence incidence in the 
country (2003 NSCB statistics), there is a need to exert efforts in building human 
resource to guarantee manpower development in Caraga. The creation of the CSUS 
would make available quality and competitive learning to its populace thru wider 
range of course offerings, graduate studies and extension research programs. 
Further, this would address the urgent need of supporting effective mechanisms to 
bring affordable and relevant education responsive to the needs of the region and its 
people. 
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the immediate passage of 
this bill. 
EDGARD 
4/Q 
6 h  
J. ANGARA 
Senator 


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THCRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE P ” E S  
) 
6 
23 
:?.J 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 2212 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CARAGA STATE UNlVERSlTY IN THE 
CARAGA REGION BY INTEGRATING THE NORTHERN MINDANAO 
STATE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NORMISIST) IN 
AMPAYON, BUTUAN CITY, THE NORTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGE OF 
ARTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NMCAST) IN CABADBARATV, 
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AND THE SIARGAO NATIONAL COLLEGE OF 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SNCST) IN DEL CARMEN, SWGAO, 
S W G A O  DEL NORTE AND APPROPRlATING FUNDS THEREFOR. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phirippines in 
Congress duly assembled: 
SECTlON 1. Integatiotz and Conversion. - The present Northern Mindanao 
State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) in Ampayon, Butuan City, 
the Northern Mindanao College of Arts, Science and Technology (NMCAST) in 
Cabadharan, Agusan del Norte, and the Siargao National College of Science and 
Technology (SNCST) in Del Carmen, Siargao, Surigao del Norte are hereby 
integrated and converted into the Caraga State University (CSU), hereinafter referred 
to as the “University.” 
The main campus of the University shall be in Butuan City. 
SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provide advanced 
education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in the fields of 
agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial 
technology, education, law, medicine and other health related programs, information 
technology, arts and sciences and other related courses. It shall undertake research 
and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its areas of 
specialization. 
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The University s h d  offer undergraduate, graduate and short-term technical 
courses within its areas of specialization specifically, but not limited to, the fields of 
agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestty, industrial 
technology, education, law, medicine and other health related programs, information 
technology, arts and sciences and other fields as the Board of Regents may deem 
necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly to meet, the needs of the Caraga 
Region. 
The existing high school/s shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and 
supervision of the Department of Education: Provided, That the high school/s 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, jkithehev, 
That the University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school, if it has a 
College of Education. 
SEC. 3. Powers of the University. - 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. 
SEC. 4. Governing Body. - The goveming board of the University shall be the 
Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the following: 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
chairperson; 
(b) The President of the University, vice chairperson; 
. (c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
Senate, member; 
(d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of 
the House of Representatives, member; 
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(e) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), member; 
(9 The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), member; 
(8) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University, 
member; 
(h) The President of the federation of student councils of the University, 
member; 
(i) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University, 
member: and 
(j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization, members. 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from a list of at least 
five (5) persons qualified in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, as 
recommended by the search committee constituted by the Board. 
The term of office 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 shall be co-terminous with their term of office, as set forth in 
their respective constitutions and by-laws. The two prominent citizens shall serve for 
a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment. 
The Chairperson shall supervise the degree programs while the Co-Chair shall 
supervise the non-degree programs. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer of 
the Board of Trustees. However, in the .absence of the Chairperson, or upon the 
request and permission of the Chairperson, the Co-Chairperson shall serve as the 
presiding officer. If and when the Chairperson and Co-Chairperson are not available, 
the Vice-Chairperson shall serve as the presiding officer. 
SEC. 5. Promrclgation and Implementation of Policies. -The Board shall 
promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared state policies on 
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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.” 
SEC. 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. - 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: 
(a) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
(b) 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, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the University; 
(d) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the 
benefit of the University, subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the 
donor. 
Such donations shall be exempt from 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), as amended Provided, That such donations shall not be 
disposed, transferred or sold; 
(e) To fix tuition fees and other necessary school fees and charges 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 incomes 
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. 
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collected. 
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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 he 
retained by the University and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, 
research, extension or other programs and projects of the University: Provided, That 
all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they are 
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 provide scholarship, subsidy, or a socialized scheme of tuition and 
school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
(9) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, 
including necessary supplies, materials and equipment, and 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 Tar8 and Customs Code, as amended 
Provided, That such commodities or materials are not locally available; 
(h) To appoint, upon recommendation of the president of the University, Vice 
presidents, deans, directors and heads of campuses, faculty members and other 
officials and employees of the University; 
(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 contrary notwithstanding; and to 
remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of law; 
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0) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline 
drawn by the administrative and academic councils herein provided; 
(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
(1) 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 certificates of 
completion of non-degree and non-traditio,nal courses; 
(m) To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the 
provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte or the Caraga Region as 
branches and centers in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the 
DBM, and to offer therein programs or courses to promote and carry out equal 
access to educational opportunities as mandated by the Constitution; 
(n) To establish research and extension centers of the University where such 
will promote the development of the latter; 
(0) To provide local and international fellowships to qualified faculty 
members; 
(4) To authorize an external management audit of the University, to he 
financed by the CHED, subject to the Commission on Audit rules and regulations; 
and to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of 
the audit results and recommendations: 
(r) To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
universities within the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte or the 
Caraga Region, under the supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the 
DBM, and work towards the restructuring of the University to become more 
efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
(s) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
development and management of the economic assets of the University, the proceeds 
ofwhich shall be used for the development and strengthening of the University; 
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(t) To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with the local 
government units, institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and 
foreign, in the furtherance of the purpose and objectives of the University; 
(u) To develop academic 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; 
(v) To set up the adoption of modem and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual system, open learning 
or distance education and community laboratory for the promotion of greater access 
to education; 
(w) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision- 
making and transparency within the University; 
(x) To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, the management 
of non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance and such other similar activities; and 
(y) 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 governing board as outstanding based on the guidelines, 
qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, after unanimous recommendation 
by the search committee. 
SEC. 7. Meetifigs of the Boavd. - The Board shall regularly convene at least 
once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may call a special 
meeting whenever necessary provided that members are notified in writing at least 
three (3) days prior to the said meeting. 
A majority of all members holding office shall consist a quorum for board 
meetings: Provided, That either the Chairperson of the Board, Co-Chairperson, or the 
Vice-Chairperson is among those present in the meeting. 
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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, howevw, That during this 
meeting, the president of the University as vice chairperson shall be the presiding 
officer: Provided, $&her, Notwithstanding this proviso, 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 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. 8. The University President. -The University shall be headed by a 
Ppresident 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 recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. He/she shall.have a 
term of four years and shall be eligible for reappoinment for another term: Provided, 
That in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the incumbent 
president of the NORMISIST shall serve as officer-in-charge of the University, 
pending the appointment of the first president of the Caraga State University. 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the 
'incumbent president of the Caraga State '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 &/her office, the Board shall have the authority to 
designate an officer-in-charge of the University, pending the appointment of a new 
president. 
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In case of vacancy in the office of the president as mentioned in the 
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immediately preceding paragraph, hidher successor or the officer-in-charge shall 
hold office for the unexpired term only. 
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 he 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 the recommendation of the president. 
SEC. 9. Administrative Council. - There shall be an administrative council 
consisting of the president of the University as chairperson, vice presidentls, deans, 
directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review and 
recommend to the Board, policies governing the administration, management and 
development planning of the University. 
SEC. 10. Academic Council. - There shall be an academic council with the 
president of the University as chairperson and all members of the academic staff with 
the rank of not lower than 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/or approval by the 
Board through the president of the University. 
SEC. 11. Secretaty. -The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who shall serve as 
such for both the Board and the University, and shall keep all records and 
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proceedings of the Board. He /she shall serve upon each member of the Board the 
appropriate notice of the Board's meetings. 
SEC. 12. Treasurer. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall he the ex oflcio 
treasurer of the University. 
SEC. 13. Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
manner of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, 
That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or 
standards set by the Board: Provided, firtheu, That no member of the faculty shall 
teach for or against my particular church or religious sect. 
SEC. 14. Admission and Scholaisk+s. - No student shall be denied admission 
to the University by reason of gender, nationality, religion, cultural, or community 
affiliation or ethnic origin, or political affiliation. 
The University shall provide a scholarship program and other subsidies to 
assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission to the university. 
SEC. 15. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University 
shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to Paragraph 2, 
Section 5 of Article X N  of the Constitution of the RepubIic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 16. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatur/Equipment/Supplies and 
Detail of Personnel. - The heads of bureaus and offices of the national government are 
hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon request of the 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. 
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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. 17. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
personnel and records of the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and 
Technology; the Northern Mindanao College of Arts, Science and Technology; and 
the. Siargao National College of Science and Technology, as well as 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 shall be respected. 
All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the 
Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology; the Northern 
Mindanao College of Arts, Science and Technology; and the Siargao National 
College of Science k d Technology are hereby declared to be property of the Caraga 
State University and shall be titled under that name: Provided, firthw, 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. 18. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Northern 
Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, the Northern Mindanao 
College of Arts, Science and Technology, and the Siargao National College of 
Science and Technology, except the sums needed to continue the operations of the 
existing high school/s. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued 
operation and maintenance of the Caraga State University shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 19. 
Developmefit Plan, 
Managemefit Audit, 
Organimtional/ 
Administrative/Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) 
days after the approval of this Act, the University shall accomplish the following: 


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(a) Submit a five (5) year development plan, including its corresponding 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the 
Department of Budget and Management; 
(b)] Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
(c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic 
structure, including the appointment of the University key officials. 
SEC. 20. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15") day of the second 
month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall He with the 
Office of the President of the Philippines, through the chairperson of the CHED, and 
to both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs 
of the University. 
SEC. 21. 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. 22. 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. 
SEC. 23. ImplementingRules andRegulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall formulate 
the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 24. SeparabiIity 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. 
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whichever comes first. 
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Approved, 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
d e s  and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 26. Eflectivity, - This Act shall take effect meen (15) days after its full 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
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