FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2'Z27 
~rl111b 
(!Hr". of (I1,jh,~d"~ 
'11 
MAR -2 P4 :41 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The right to quality education is one that is universally accepted, as 
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of tIuman Rights, (UDHR) the 
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, (ICESCR) and 
various other international legal instruments. The 1987 Constitution likewise 
recognizes the primacy of education as well as the crucial role that access to 
quality education plays in nation building. 
The right to quality education invariably includes the right to have access 
to quality higher education. 
In the island province of Catanduanes, giving 
citizens therein access to quality higher education is made more complicated by 
the province's isolation. The need to strengthen and improve educational 
institutions in the province is therefore imperative. 
It is with these factual antecedents that the conversion of the Catanduanes 
State Colleges (CSC) into the Catanduanes State University is earnestly sought. 
By granting to the CSC the status of a University, it will be in a better position to 
provide not just quality higher education and thus better opportunities to the 
youth of Catanduanes, it will also provide a unique boost to the efforts of the 
Province of Catanduanes to enrich its human r.esources as it prepares to meet the 
challenges of a globalizing world. 
Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
,"FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
'11 
MAR -2 P 4 :41 
S.B.No.~~a727 
RECUV!.~l) BY: (2 
-,-------,----~-----~~ ----------- -----~~~~------- --
t--
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE CATANDUANES STATE COLLEGES IN THE 
PROVINCE or,' CATANDUANES INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE 
KNOWN 
AS 
THE 
CATANDUANES 
STATE 
UNIVERSITY 
AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rel?resentatlves of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section I. Conversion. -
The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) in the 
2 
Province of Catanduanes, composed of CSC - Virac Campus in the Municipality of 
3 
Virac and CSC - Panganiban Campus in the Municipality of Panganiban, both located 
4 
in the Province of Catanduanes, is hereby converted into a state university to be 
5 
known as the Catanduanes State University, hereihafter referred to as the University. 
6 
The main campus of the University shall be in Virac, Catanduanes. 
7 
Sec. 2. General Mandate. ~. The University shall primarily provide advanced 
8 
education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in trade, 
9 
commerce, fishery, agriculture, arts and sciences, industrial technology, nursing, 
10 
midwifery, education, engineering, public administration, information technology, 
11 
and other relevant fields of study. It shall also undertake research and extension 
12 
services, and provide progressive leadership in its 'areas of specialization. 
13 
Sec. 3. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University shall 
14 
enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 
15 
5 of Article XIV ofthe Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 
16 
Sec. 4. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer undergraduate and 
17 
graduate courses in the fields of trade, commerce. fishery. agriculture. arts and 
18 
sciences, industrial technology, nursing, midwifery, education, engineering, public 
19 
administration, information technology, and other degrees/courses within its areas of 
1 


1 
specialization and according to its capabilities as the Board of Regents may deem 
2 
necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in meeting the needs of the Province 
3 
of Catanduanes and Region V. 
4 
The existing high school shall be tnlnsferred to the jurisdiction and 
5 
supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd): Provided, That the high school 
6 
shall be allowed to remain and operate within the campus of the University until its 
7 
students, who are currently enrolled, shall have completed their high school 
8 
education: Provided, further, That the University may operate a reasonably-sized 
9 
laboratory school, if it has a College of Education . • 
10 
Sec. 5. Administration. - The University 'shall have the general powers of a 
11 
corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, otherwise known as the 
12 
"Corporation Code of the Philippines." The administration of the University and the 
13 
exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents 
14 
and the President of the University. 
15 
Sec. 6. The Governing Board - The governing board of the University shall 
16 
be the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as Board, which shall be composed of 
17 
the following: 
18 
(a) 
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
19 
chairperson; 
20 
(b) The President ofthe University, vice chairperson; 
21 
(c) 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of 
22 
the Senate, member; 
23 
(d) 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education 
24 
of the House of Representatives, member; 
25 
(e) 
The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development 
26 
Authority (NEDA), member; 
27 
(I) 
The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology 
28 
(DOST), mem ber; 
29 
(g) 
The President of the federation of faculty associations of the 
30 
University, member; 
31 
(h) 
The President of the federation of student councils of the University, 
32 
member; 
33 
(i) 
The President of the federation of alumni associations of the 
34 
University, member; and 
2 


1 
U) 
Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have 
2 
distinguished themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the 
3 
University, members. The Board shall appoint tlie two (2) prominent citizens from 
4 
among a list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Catanduanes, as 
5 
recommended by the Search Committee constituted by the University President, in 
6 
consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and the other members of the Board, 
7 
based on the normal standards and qualifications for the position. 
8 
The term of office of the President of the federation of faculty associations, the 
9 
President of the federation of student councils, and the President of the federation of 
10 
alumni associations shall be coterminous with their respective terms of office, as set 
11 
forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws. 
12 
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve: for a term of two (2) years from the 
13 
date of appointment. 
14 
Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. - The Board shall have the 
15 
following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
16 
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of Directors of 
17 
a corporation under existing laws: 
18 
(a) 
To promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared 
19 
State policies and the provisions of the Phillppine Constitution on education, 
• 
20 
agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of 
21 
the Cl-IED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education 
22 
Act of 1994." 
23 
(b) 
To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be 
• 
24 
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
25 
(c) 
To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support 
26 
of the University in the manner it may determine in its discretion, in order to carry out 
27 
the purposes and functions of the University; 
28 
(d) To impOli economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications; 
29 
(e) 
To receive in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
30 
properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for 
• 
31 
the benefit of the University, and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions 
32 
of the donor, if any. 
33 
(f) 
To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as, but 
34 
not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the Board 
3 


1 
may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved sectors. Such 
2 
fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the 
3 
University, shall constitute special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized 
4 
government depository bank, and all interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form 
5 
part of the same funds for the use ofthe University. 
6 
Any provision of existing laws, rules' and regulations to the contrary 
7 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the University from tuition fees and other 
. 
8 
charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be 
9 
retained by the University, and may be disbur,sed by the Board for instruction, 
10 
research, extension or other programs/projects of the University: Provided, That all 
11 
fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which these are 
12 
collected. 
13 
If, for reasons beyond its control, the University shall not be able to pursue 
14 
any p"oject for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated under its 
15 
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said funds for 
16 
any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, npy be necessary and urgent for the 
17 
attainment of the objectives and goals of the University; 
18 
(g) 
To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees 
19 
for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
20 
(h) 
To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
21 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, 
22 
including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
23 
(i) 
To appoint upon recommendation of the President of the University, 
24 
Vice Presidents, deans, directors, heads of campuses, faculty members, and other 
25 
officials and employees of the University; 
26 
To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative 
27 
officials and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensatiorr and 
28 
Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws 
29 
governing hours of service and such other duties and conditions as it may deem 
30 
proper; to grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it 
31 
may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding; and to 
32 
remove them for cause in 'accordance with the requirements of due process of law; 
33 
(k) 
To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline 
34 
drawn by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided; 
4 


1 
2 
(I) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
• 
(m) 
To award honorary degrees upoh persons in recognition of their 
3 
outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and 
4 
technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization within the academic 
5 
competence of the University; and to authorize the awarding of certificates of 
6 
completion of non-degree and nontraditional courses; 
7 
(n) 
To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the 
8 
Province of Catanduanes as branches and centers in coordination with the CHED, and 
9 
in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and to offer 
10 
therein programs or courses, to promote and carry out equal access to educational 
11 
opportunities as mandated by the Constitution; 
12 
(0) 
To establish research and extension centers of the University where 
13 
such will promote the development of the latter; 
14 
(p) 
To establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide 
15 
fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
16 
(q) 
To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to 
17 
the president and/or other officials of the University as it may deem appropriate, so as 
18 
to expedite the administration of the affairs of the University; 
19 
(1') 
To authorize an external management audit of the University, to be 
20 
financed by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on 
21 
Audit (COA); and to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on 
• 
22 
the basis of the audit results and recommendations; 
23 
(s) 
To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
• 
24 
universities within the Province ofCatanduanes or' Region Y, under the supervision of 
25 
the CHED and in consultation with the DBM, and work towards the restructuring of 
26 
the University to become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
27 
(t) 
To enter into joint ventures wi,th business and industry for the 
28 
profitable development and management of the economic assets of the University, the 
29 
proceeds from which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the 
" 
30 
University; 
31 
(u) 
To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
32 
government units (LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and 
33 
foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the University; 
5 


1 
(v) 
To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building 
2 
with appropriate institutions and agencies, public ·and private, local and foreign, and 
3 
to appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange 
4 
professors, scholars, researchers, as the case may be; 
5 
(w) 
To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
6 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning system, open 
7 
or distance education and community laboratory for the promotion 9f greater access to 
8 
education; 
9 
(x) 
To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative 
10 
decision-making and transparency within the University; 
11 
(y) 
To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, management 
, 
12 
of non-academic services such as health, food,. building or grounds or property 
13 
maintenance and such other similar activities; and 
14 
(z) 
To extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
15 
retirement but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance has been 
• 
16 
unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the guidelines, qualifications 
17 
and/or standards set by the Board, after unanim®us recommendation by the search 
18 
committee. 
0, 
19 
Sec. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly COnvene once evelY 
20 
three (3) months. Whenever necessary, the Chairperson of the Board may call, upon 
21 
three (3) days' prior written notice, a maximum of two (2) special meetings within the 
22 
same period. 
23 
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding 
24 
office at the time of the meeting: Provided. however. That the Chairperson of the 
25 
Board or the President of the University is among those present in the meeting. In the 
26 
absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED, duly 
27 
designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights and 
28 
responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this meeting, the 
29 
President of the University as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer: 
30 
Provided,further, That this proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is 
31 
hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the 
32 
Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer. 
33 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees On Education shall 
34 
not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
6 
0, 


1 
representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
2 
responsibilities as a regular member of the Board. 
3 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
4 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expense~' incurred, either in their attendance 
5 
to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by 
6 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws arid regulations. 
7 
Sec. 9. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a 
8 
President, who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board, 
9 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon 
10 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of 
11 
four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, That 
12 
in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the CHED shall designate 
13 
an Officer-in-Charge of the University, pending the appointment of the first President 
14 
of the University. 
15 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the 
16 
incumbent President of the Univel'sity, the Board shall constitute the Search 
17 
Committee for the Presidency (SCP). 
18 
In case of vacancy in the Office· of the President by reason of death, 
19 
compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President 
20 
to perform the functions of his/her office, the I?oard shall designate an Officer-in-
21 
Charge of the University within six (6) months from date of vacancy, pending the 
22 
appointment of a new President. 
23 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the 
24 
immediately preceding paragraph, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall 
25 
serve only the unexpired portion ofthe term. 
• 
26 
The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those 
27 
specifically provided in this Act, shaU be those u$uallY pertaining to the office of the 
28 
President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board. 
29 
The salary of the President of the University shall be in accordance with the 
30 
Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to 
31 
that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
32 
The President of the University shall tie assisted by a Vice President for 
33 
Academic Affairs and a Vice President for AdmiJ1istration, who shall be appointed by 
" 
34 
the Board upon recommendation of the President. 
7 


1 
Sec. 10. Heads' of University Campuses. - The Campus Directors shall head 
2 
the University campuses and they shall render full-time service. They shall be 
3 
appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the 
4 
University President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by 
5 
the Board: Provided, That the incumbent college administrators of the extension 
6 
campuses shall serve as Campus Directors of their respective campuses. 
7 
Sec. I I. The Secretary of the University. -- The Board shall appoint a 
8 
Secretary, who shall serve as such for both the Board and the University and shall 
9 
keep all records and proceedings of the Board. He/She shall serve upon each member 
10 
of the Board the appropriate notice ofthe Board meetings. 
11 
Sec. 12. The Treasurer of the University. _. The Treasurer of the Philippines 
12 
shall be the ex officio Treasurer of the University 
13 
Sec. 13. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative 
14 
Council consisting of the President of the Univer§ity as Chairperson, vice presidents, 
15 
deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review 
16 
and recommend to the Board policies governing the administration, management and 
17 
development planning of the University. 
18 
Sec. 14. The Academic Council. _. There shall be an Academic Council to be 
19 
composed of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, and all 
• 
20 
academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members. 
21 
The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
" 
22 
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the University, subject to the approval of 
23 
the Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for 
24 
their graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/or approval by the 
25 
Board through the President of the University. It shall have the disciplinary power 
26 
over students of the University and shall formulate academic policies and rules and 
, 
27 
regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
28 
Sec. 15. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
29 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
30 
matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, 
31 
That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or 
32 
standards set by the Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall 
33 
teach for or against any particular church or religious sect. 
8 


1 
Sec. 16. Scholarship Program/Admission. .- The University shall provide a 
2 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but 
3 
deserving students who qualify for admission to the University. 
4 
No student shall be denied admission to,the University by reason of sex, 
5 
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
6 
Sec. 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and 
7 
Detail of Personnel. _. The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national 
8 
government are hereby authorized to loan or .transfer, upon the request of the 
9 
President of the University, such apparatus, equiplnent or supplies as may be needed 
10 
by the University, and to detail employees for du'ty therein when, in the judgment of 
11 
the head of bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such 
12 
employees can be spared without serious detrimel!t to public service. The employees 
13 
so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the 
14 
University, and the time so employed shall be counted as part oftheir regular services. 
15 
Sec. 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel - All assets, real and personal, 
16 
personnel and records of the Catanduanes State Colleges, as well as liabilities or 
17 
obligations, are hereby transferred to the University. The positions, rights and security 
18 
of tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws 
19 
prior to the conversion into a University shall be respected. 
20 
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Catanduanes 
21 
State Colleges are hereby declared to be property of the University, and shall be titled 
22 
under that name: Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished 
23 
or should such parcels ofland aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, 
24 
the same shall revelt to the LGUs concerned. 
25 
Sec. 19. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. The importation of 
26 
economic, technical and cultural books and/or publication, which are for economic, 
27 
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by 
28 
the Catanduanes State University upon celtification by the CHED shall be exempt 
29 
from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs 
30 
Code of the Philippines, as amended. 
31 
Donations in any form to the Catanduanes State University shall be exempt 
32 
from the donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from 
33 
the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance 
34 
with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
9 
" 


" 
1 
Sec. 20. Appropriations.- The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
2 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Catanduanes 
3 
State Colleges, except the sums needed to continue the operations of the existing high 
4 
school. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and 
5 
maintenance of the Catanduanes State University shall be included in the annual 
6 
General Appropriations Act. 
7 
Sec. 
21. 
Development 
Plan, 
Management 
Audit, 
Organizational! 
8 
Administrative! Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) 
9 
days after the approval of this Act, the University shall accomplish the following; 
10 
(a) Submit a live (5)-year development" plan, including its corresponding 
11 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the 
12 
DBM; 
13 
(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
14 
(c) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure, 
15 
including the appointment of the key officials of the University. 
16 
Sec. 22. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
17 
(2nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file 
18 
with the Office of the President of the Philippihes through the Chairperson of the 
19 
CHED, and with both Houses of Congress a' detailed report on the progress, 
20 
conditions and needs of the University. 
21 
Sec. 23. Supple/DIY Application. - The prpvisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
22 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall be an 
23 
integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the 
• 
24 
University. 
25 
Sec. 24. Parity Clause. -
All other powers, functions and privileges, 
" 
26 
responsibilities and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing 
27 
laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials 
28 
whenever appropriate. 
29 
Sec. 25. implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation 
30 
with the Cl-lED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of 
, 
31 
this Act. 
32 
Sec. 26. Separability Clause. - Jf, for any reason, any part Or provision of this 
33 
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
34 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
10 


1 
Sec. 27. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
2 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act arc 
3 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
4 
Sec. 28. Effectivity. 
~. This Act shalt take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
5 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
6 
Approved, 
'. 
11 
'.