NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
S.B. No.
SENATE
2807
SEP-3 A1U11
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS 
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE 
UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "the State shall 
protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and 
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”
This measure seeks to convert the Siquijor State College (SSC) and all its 
existing campuses, all in the Province of Siquijor into a state university to be known 
as the State University of Siquijor (SUS). The establishment of a state university 
with extensive curricular offering in the Province of Siquijor by converting the state 
college into a university is the key to progress in the province. The conversion into 
a university status will pave the way for the institution to offer more diverse and 
specialized courses, including postgraduate degrees, which are crucial for the 
development of advanced skills and knowledge.
Converting Siquijor State College into a state university would not only 
elevate the institution's academic and research capabilities but also contribute to 
the socio-economic development of the province and provide more opportunities for 
the youth in the province.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
S0U9ht-
iIMEE R. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
*s < '««
24 SEP-3 All :12
SENATE
s.B. No. 2807
.'J L?'
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS IN 
THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE 
UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Conversion. - The Siquijor State College (SSC) in the Municipality of
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Larena, Province of Siquijor, including its extension campus in the Municipality of Lazi,
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Province of Siquijor known as the Siquijor State College-Lazi Campus (formerly the Lazi
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Skills Development Center), is converted into a state university to be known as the
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State University of Siquijor (SUS). The main campus shall be in the Municipality of
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Larena.
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SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The SUS shall primarily provide advanced
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instruction and professional training in education, law, art and science, public
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administration, information technology, accountancy, business and industry,
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agriculture, forestry, maritime education, engineering, nursing and health allied
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courses, and other fields of study. It shall promote research and extension services and
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shall provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.
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SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The SUS shall offer short-term technical-
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vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses in the fields of education, law, art
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and science, public administration, information technology, accountancy, business and
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industry, agriculture, forestry, maritime education, engineering, nursing and health
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allied courses, and other degree courses, as the Board of Regents may deem necessary
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to carry out its objectives, and those which respond to the human resource
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development needs of the Province of Siquijor and Region VII.


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SEC. 4. Administration. -The SUS shall have the general powers of a corporation 
as set forth in the Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the "Revised 
Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the SUS and the exercise 
of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the 
President of the SUS.
SEC. 5. The Board of Regents. - The governing body of the SUS shall be the 
Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired by the 
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and vice-chaired by the 
President of the SUS, and with the following as 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) President of the federation of faculty associations of the SUS;
(f) President of the federation of student councils of the SUS;
(g) President of the federation of alumni associations of the SUS;
(h) Representative of the nonteaching or personnel association of the SUS; and
(i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.
The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a 
list of at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Siquijor, as recommended 
by a Search Committee constituted by the President of the SUS, 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 shall serve for a term of two 
(2) years from the date of appointment.
The terms of office of the Presidents of the federation of faculty associations, 
federation of student councils, federation of alumni associations, and the 
Representative of the nonteaching personnel shall be coterminous with their terms of 
office, as provided under their respective constitutions and bylaws.
SEC. 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The administration of the SUS and 
the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board, which 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 Section 35 of RA No. 11232:
(a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies on education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education.


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agriculture, science and technology, and the policies, standards and thrusts of the 
CHED under RA No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994";
(b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline 
drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils, as herein provided;
(c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, the vice 
presidents, chancellors, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and 
other officials and employees of the SUS;
(d) Fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members, 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 the civil service rules and regulations and 
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 SUS, 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 SUS; Any provision of existing law, rule or regulation to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the SUS from tuition fees and other charges, 
as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be retained by 
the SUS and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension 
services, and other programs or projects of the SUS: 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 SUS 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 SUS;
(f) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees 
for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with RA No. 10931, 
otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act";
(g) Establish professorial chairs in the SUS and provide fellowships for qualified 
faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;


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(h) Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided for by law for the support 
of the SUS, and ail other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to 
carry out the purposes and functions of the SUS;
(i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;
0) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
contributions in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, 
sports and human kinetics or any field of specialization within the academic competency 
of the SUS, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and 
nontraditional courses;
(k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and 
appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, 
scholars or researchers, as the case may be;
(l) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow 
greater access to education such as the use of information technology, online 
programs, the dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory;
(m) Absorb non-chartered tertiary education institutions within the Province of 
Siquijor and Region VII as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in 
coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the 
constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities;
(n) Authorize an external management audit of the SUS, to be financed by the 
CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute 
reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results 
and recommendations;
(o) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies 
for the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the SUS;
(p) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications;
(q) Enter into joint ventures with business industry for the profitable growth and 
management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the 
development and strengthening of the SUS;
(r) 
Receive, in trust, all legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for


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the benefit of the SUS and subject to the limitations, directions, and instructions of the 
donor, if any;
(s) Extend the term of the President of the SUS beyond the age of retirement, 
but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines on qualification 
standards set by the Board: Provided, That the President's performance has been rated 
by the Board as outstanding and a unanimous recommendation for such extension has 
been decided upon by the Search Committee;
(t) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President and other officials of 
the SUS, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs 
of the SUS;
(u) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent 
decision-making within the SUS;
(v) Where most advantageous to the SUS, privatize the management of 
nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance, and such other similar activities;
(w) 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
(x) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the SUS.
SEC. 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 a 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 SUS 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 Chairperson of the CHED as representative to 
theme eting, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, 
That during the meeting, the President of the SUS, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the 
presiding officer: Provided, further. That this provision notwithstanding, the 
Chairperson of the CHED may designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular 
Chairperson of the Board, in which case, the said CHED Commissioner shall act as the 
presiding officer.


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In case the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and 
Vocational Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education 
shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective 
representatives who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members 
of the Board.
The members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than 
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.
SEC. 8. The University President. - The SUS shall be headed by a President who 
shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualification standards, 
and based on the recommendation of a Search Committee duly constituted for the 
purpose of selecting the President. The President of the SUS shall render full-time 
service for a term of four (4) years, and may be reappointed to another term. Within 
six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President 
of the SUS, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency.
The powers and duties of the President of the SUS, in addition to those 
specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the 
President of universities and those delegated by the Board.
The salary of the President of the SUS shall be in accordance with RA No. 11466, 
otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019', and such other laws 
amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and on the joint circular for 
state universities and colleges' leveling instruments, and guidelines of the CHED and 
the DBM.
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, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the 
SUS, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the OIC shall serve 
only during the unexpired portion of the term.
The President of the SUS shall be assisted by the following officials: Vice 
President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Administration, Planning, and 
Finance; and Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension. They shall all 
be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS from 
a list submitted by the Search Committee.
SEC. 9. The Secretary. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as 
such for both the Board and the SUS and shall keep all records and proceedings of the


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Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the SUS shall 
serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings.
SEC. 10. The Treasurer. 
Treasurer of the SUS.
-The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio
SEC. 11. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council 
consisting of the President of the SUS, as Chairperson, and the vice-president, deans, 
director, and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to review and 
recommend to the Board such policies governing the administration, management, and 
development planning of the SUS.
SEC. 12. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council consisting 
of the President of the SUS, as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at 
least an assistant professor, as members, which shall formulate academic policies.
The Academic Council shall review and recommend the curricular offerings and 
rules on student discipline, fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well 
as for their graduation and conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the 
students and formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the 
review and approval of the Board through the President of the SUS.
It shall have disciplinary power over the students of the SUS and shall formulate 
rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.
SEC. 13. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The SUS shall enjoy 
academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of 
Article XIV of the Constitution.
SEC. 14. The Faculty. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation, ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter 
of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the SUS: Provided, That the 
appointment shall be subject to the guidelines on qualification standards set by the 
Board: Provided, further. That a member of the faculty shall not criticize, vouch for, 
recruit members in behalf of, or preach about any particular church or religious sect.
SEC. 15. Head of the Campus. - A campus shall be headed by a Campus Director 
who shall render full-time service. The Campus Director shall be appointed by the 
Board, upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, subject to the guidelines 
on qualification standards set by the Board. The Campus Director shall serve a term of 
two (2) years without reappointment.
SEC. 16. Scholarship Programs and Admission. - The SUS shall provide 
scholarship programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but


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deserving students who qualify for admission to the SUS. No student shall be denied 
admission to the SUS by reason of sex, religion, political, cultural or community 
affiliation, and ethnic origin.
SEC. 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer of Apparatus, Equipment or Supplies, and 
Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government 
are authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the SUS, such 
apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the SUS and to detail 
employees for duty therein when, in the judgement of the head of the bureau of office, 
the apparatus, equipment, supplies or service of such employees can be spared without 
serious detriment to public service. The employees so detailed shall perform such duties 
as required of them by the President of the SUS and the time so employed shall be 
counted as part of their regular service,
SEC. 18. Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel. - All assets, both real and personal, 
personnel and records of the SSC, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be 
transferred to the SUS: Provided, That the positions, rights, and security of tenure of 
faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the 
conversion into a University shall be respected.
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSC and its 
extension campus are declared as property of the SUS, and titled under its name: 
Provided, That should the SUS cease to exist or be abolished or should such 
aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed by the SUS, the same shall revert 
to the Municipality of Larena or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be,
SEC. 19. Duty and Tax Exemptions. - The importation of books or publications, 
which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical, legal 
or cultural purposes made by the SUS, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt 
from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA 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 for educational purposes by the SUS, shall be 
exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions 
from gross income 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.
SEC. 20. Compliance with the CHED Requirements. - Notwithstanding the 
provisions of this Act, the conversion of the SSC 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 SSC has 
complied with the requirements for a university status based on the CHED


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Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 or the Policy Standard to Enhance Quality 
Assurance in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-Based and Typology- 
Based Quality Assurance: Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation 
when the SSC 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 of a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from 
basic postsecondary to doctorate programs;
(c) 
Conduct of viable research programs in specific disciplinal and 
multidisciplinary areas of study that produce new knowledge, as evidenced by refereed 
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 linkages and affiliation with other research institutions in 
various parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the SUS 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 shall, through its regional office, regularly provide technical assistance 
to the SUS and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the CHED.
The SSC shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able to 
comply with the requirements provided herein.
SEC. 21. Development Plan and Organizational Structure. - Within one hundred 
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the SUS shall accomplish the following:
(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding 
program budget to the CHED and the DBM;
(b) Submit the revised Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan in 
accordance with RA No. 11396, otherwise known as the "SUCs Land Use Development 
and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) Act";
(c) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and


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(d) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure, 
including the designation of the key officials and other administrative personnel of the 
SUS.
SEC. 22. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
(2nd) month after the opening of regular classes each year, the Board shall file a 
detailed report on its compliance with the requirements for a university status with the 
Office of the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the 
Chairperson of the CHED.
SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of 
the SSC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 24. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of RA No. 8292, otherwise 
known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this Act.
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and 
regulations to implement its provisions.
SEC. 26. 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 
are in full force and effect.
SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 28. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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