Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
. 
The Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) is an educational institution located in Palompon, 
Leyte that specializes in the field of maritime sciences and also offers courses in various fields that 
cater to the students in the Province of Leyte and Ormoc City. 
On June 4, 2013, Republic Act No. 10599 was enacted into law converting the PIT to the Palompon 
Polytechnic State University (PPSU). The said law mandates the institution’s realignment with 
national education standards, enhances its degree offerings, and provides an avenue for further 
expansion in research community extension services and innovation. 
On April 20, 2019, Republic Act No. 11309 was signed into law with the end in view of rectifying 
the timeline for the creation of the Search Committee for the Presidency of PPSU and extends the 
deadlines for compliance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) requirements for the 
conversion of PIT into a state university. 
As envisioned, the said laws (RA Nos. 10599 and 11309) provide the foundation for PIT’s 
transition into a state university. However, six (6) years after the passage of Republic Act No. 
11309 and eleven (11) years after the passage of RA 10599, the objectives have not yet been 
realized since said laws have encountered certain challenges, particularly in the composition of the 
Governing Board and the leadership transition. 
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6:31 pm
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Thus, this proposed measure seeks to address the problems by amending Section 6 and 9, 
respectively of RA No. 10599, as amended by RA No. 11309 or the Charter of the Palompon 
Polytechnic State University. 
Section 6 of said Charter is sought to be amended by removing the phrase “The term of office 
of the President of the United Filipino Seafarers”, when in fact the President of the United 
Filipino Seafarers is not enumerated in the same Section 6 as one of the members of the 
Governing Board of PPSU. The proposed amendment is consistent with RA No. 8292, otherwise 
known as the “Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997”. In addition, the amendment will 
ensure fairness, balance and inclusivity across all academic programs and institutions as part of 
the Governing Board. 
On the other hand, Section 9 of said law is sought to be further amended by mandating that the 
incumbent president of PIT shall serve as the first President of the state university, to ensure 
leadership continuity and a smooth transition to university status of the institution. 
Moreover, the amendment on Section 9 of RA No. 10599 as amended by RA No. 11309 is in 
conformity with the constitutional principles of equity and fairness as well as to protect the security 
of tenure of the incumbent President of PIT and to align with similar provisions in RA No. 9261 
(Charter of Southern Leyte State University); and RA No. 11170 (Naval State University) among 
others, mandating that the first President of the state university shall be the president of the 
converted state college. 
Finally, with the passage of this bill, it is hope that the amendments will ensure that the institution’s 
governance structure aligns with its mission of academic excellence and inclusivity. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA 
4th District, Province of Leyte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT 
FURTHER AMENDING SECTIONS 6 AND 9 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10599, AS 
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11309, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
CHARTER OF THE PALOMPON POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (PPSU), BY 
ALIGNING THE CHARTER OF SAID STATE UNIVERSITY WITH REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 8292 AND TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AND STABLE GOVERNANCE AND 
LEADERSHIP FOR PPSU 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10599, entitled “An Act Converting the 
Palompon Institute of Technology in the Municipality of Palompon, Province of Leyte into a State 
University to be known as the Palompon Polytechnic State University, Integrating Therewith the 
Marcelino R. Veloso National Polytechnic College in the Municipality of Tabango, Province of 
Leyte and Appropriating Funds Therefor”, is amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 6. The Governing Board. – The governing body of the University 
shall be the Board of Regents hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be 
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 Higher, Technical and
Vocational Education 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 Department of Economy, Planning and 
Development (DEPDev), member; 
(f) The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), member; 
(g) 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 the fields of 
specialization of the University, members. 
 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list 
of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Leyte, as 
recommended by the search committee constituted by the University 
President, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and the other 
members of the Board, based on the normal standards and qualifications 
for the position. 
 
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 coterminous with their respective terms of office, as 
set forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws. 
 
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from 
the date of appointment. 
 
 
SEC. 2. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 10599, as amended by Republic Act No. 11309 is 
hereby further amended to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 9. The University President. – The University shall be headed by a 
President, who shall render full-time service and who shall be appointed by the 
Board, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board, 
upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The University 
President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for 
reappointment for another term: Provided, That in order to effect a smooth 
transition to a state university, the incumbent President of the Palompon Institute 
of Technology SHALL SERVE AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE 
PALOMPON POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (PPSU) FOR A 
NEW TERM OF FOUR (4) YEARS: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT HE 
SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT FOR ANOTHER 
TERM.  
 


UPON the expiration of the term of office of the FIRST President of the 
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 the office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-
Charge of the University within six (6) months from the date of vacancy, pending 
the appointment of a new President. The successor shall serve only the unexpired 
portion of the term, while the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only until a new 
President has been appointed. 
 
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 be 
comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational 
institutions. 
 
The President of the University shall be assisted by the Vice President for 
Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for 
Research, Extension and External Affairs, who shall be appointed by the Board 
upon the recommendation of the President.” 
 
SEC. 3. Inclusion Clause. — 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. 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
 
 
Approved,