Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF MEDICINE IN THE AKLAN STATE 
UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN IBAJAY, WEST AKLAN TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Aklan State University (ASU), formerly known as the Aklan State College of 
Agriculture and the Aklan Agricultural College, was established on April 4, 2001 as a state 
university by virtue of Republic Act 9055. Its main campus is located in the town of Banga, 
with four other campuses across the province, particularly in the municipalities of Kalibo, 
Ibajay, Makato, and New Washington. 
More than two decades after its establishment, the Aklan State University has achieved 
State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Level III Status from the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED). The excellence and competence the Aklan State University has shown over 
the years is a manifestation of its commitment to quality and accessible education. 
As the demand for health and medical education in the country increases, it is 
imperative that our educational institutions step up to the challenge of providing quality and 
accessible health education to the Filipino people. The World Bank has even noted that there 
are only one physician for every 1,000 Filipinos in the country. 
February 8, 2023
3:10 pm
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The establishment of a College of Medicine in the Aklan State University, particularly 
in Ibajay Campus, will provide increased access to quality medical education for students in 
West Aklan and in the region, helping to meet the growing demand for healthcare 
professionals. This bill proposes to appropriate funds for the necessary resources, facilities, and 
personnel to ensure the successful operation and continued growth of the college. 
It is the hope of this measure to offer a significant step forward in strengthening the 
healthcare system in the region and providing opportunities for students to pursue careers in 
medicine. By supporting the establishment of this college, the government is investing in the 
future of healthcare and the well-being of its citizens. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
TEODORICO T. HARESCO, JR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF MEDICINE IN THE AKLAN STATE 
UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN IBAJAY, WEST AKLAN TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Aklan State University – College
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of Medicine Act”. 
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SECTION 2. Establishment. – There is hereby established a medical school in the Aklan State 
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University – Ibajay Campus located in Ibajay, Province of Aklan, which shall be known as the 
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“Aklan State University – College of Medicine”. 
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SECTION 3. General Mandate. – The Aklan State University – College of Medicine, 
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hereinafter referred to as the “College”, shall primarily offer a Doctor of Medicine Program, 
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including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program, consisting of basic science and 
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clinical courses, and using a learner-centered, competency-based, and community-oriented 
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approach. The primary goal of the College shall be to develop a corps of professional 
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physicians to strengthen the healthcare system of the country, as well as to respond to the 
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human resource development needs of the Province of Aklan, and the Western Visayas Region. 
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The College is also mandated to undertake research and extension services and provide 
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progressive leadership in these areas. 
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SECTION 4. Governance. -  The governance of the College shall be vested in the Board of 
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Regents of the Aklan State University (ASU), hereinafter referred to as the Board, whose 
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powers are defined under Republic Act No. 9055, entitled “An Act Converting The Aklan State 
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College Of Agriculture In The Municipality Of Banga, Province Of Aklan Into A State 
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University To Be Known As The Aklan State University, Appropriating Funds Therefor And 
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For Other Purposes”, and other applicable laws and regulations, unless otherwise provided or 
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amended elsewhere in this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Administration. – The administration of the College shall be vested in the Dean 
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of ASU insofar as may be authorized by its Board. 
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SECTION 6. The College Dean. – The College shall be headed by a Dean who shall be 
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appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualifications standards, and based on the 
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recommendation of the President, following a process of consultation with the constituents of 
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the College. The Dean shall render full-time service, serve a term of three (3) years, and may 
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be reappointed to another term. 
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Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the President of the ASU shall 
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constitute the Search Committee for the Deanship. 
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The powers and duties of the Dean of the College, in addition to those specifically 
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provided for in this Act, shall include those usually pertaining to the Office of the Dean of 
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similar state universities and colleges and those delegated by the President. 
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The salary of the Dean of the College shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 
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11466, otherwise known as the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and such other laws 
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amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be comparable to that being 
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received by the Deans of similar educational institutions. 
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the Dean by reason of death, compulsory retirement, 
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resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the Dean to perform the functions of the office, 
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the Board shall, upon the recommendation of the President, designate an Officer-in-Charge of 
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the College, pending the appointment of a new Dean: Provided, That the Officer-in-Charge 
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shall serve only during the unexpired portion of the term. 
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The Dean of the College shall be assisted by a College Secretary, who shall be 
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appointed by the Board. 
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SECTION 7. The Faculty. – The Board shall, upon the recommendation by the President of 
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the ASU, appoint the faculty members of the College: Provided, That no political belief, sexual 
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orientation, gender identity and expression, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, 
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nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty 
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members of the College: Provided, further, That said appointment shall be subject to the 
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guidelines on qualification standards set by the Board: Provided, finally, That no member of 
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the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.  
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SECTION 8. Scholarship Programs and Admission. – The College shall provide scholarships 
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and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for 
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admission to the College. Students who have availed themselves of the scholarship program 
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under Republic Act No. 11509, otherwise known as the “Doktor Para sa Bayan Act”, shall 
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render a return service in accordance with the said law. Students availing themselves of other 
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nationally-funded scholarship programs to complete the medicine degree program under the 
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College may be required to render a return service depending on the contract to be signed 
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between the student and the College. No student shall be denied admission to the College by 
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reason of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, cultural or community 
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affiliation, physical disability, or ethnic origin. 
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SECTION 9. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. – The College shall enjoy 
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academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article 
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XIV of the Constitution.  
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SECTION 10. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus, Equipment or Supplies, and Detail 
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of Personnel. – Upon the request of the Board, through the President of the ASU, the heads of 
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the bureaus and offices of the national government may loan or transfer to the college such 
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apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by it, and detail employees for duty therein 
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when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or office, the apparatus, equipment, supplies or 
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services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment to public service. 
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The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the Dean 
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of the College, and the time so served shall be counted as part of their regular service. 
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SECTION 11. Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel. – All appropriations, assets, both real and 
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personal, personnel, and records of the College, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be 
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titled or named after the ASU. All parcels of land belonging to the government to be occupied 
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by the College shall be the property of the ASU, and titled under its name: Provided, That 
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should the ASU cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of land 
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be no longer needed by the ASU, the same shall revert to the Municipality of Ibajay or to the 
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Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be. 
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SECTION 12. Duty and Tax Exemptions. – The importation by the College of medical books 
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or publications, medical equipment or instruments which are for medical, laboratory or 
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scientific purposes shall, upon certification by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
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be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, 
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otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act”. 
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All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used 
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actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the College, shall be exempt 
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from donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income 
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for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions 
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of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
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SECTION 13. Suppletory Application. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise 
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known as the “Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997”, shall form part of this Act. 
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SECTION 14. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
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shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. –Within sixty (60) days from the 
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approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and regulations 
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to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 16. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is 
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected are in full 
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force and effect. 
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SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules 
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and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended, 
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repealed, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 18. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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