Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES /f >
Quezon City, Metro Manila :
NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House pitino. 152

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to establish the Bicol University - College of Veterinary Medicine
in the City of Ligao in the Province of Albay.

This is truly a timely development in recognition of the vital role that animal health
‘management and veterinary medicine play in our country’s livestock industry and economic
development. Both ensure stable prices, an adequate and steady supply of healthy animals,
and protection for humans through the prevention of the spread of zoonotic diseases.

The current situation, however, shows some very serious problems that beset animal
health management, such as animal disease outbreaks, risks of transmission of infectious
diseases from infected live animals, low number of animals, and poor infrastructure. Also, our
country has only about 10,000 veterinarians today. In the province of Albay, there are only
twenty (20) veterinarians.

In the Bicol Region, only one institution offers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
program, and it is located about three hours away from Albay. It has only one animal-related
curricular program, the BS Agriculture major in Animal Science. The University also maintains
livestock as part of its instruction and research mandate.

The vision is to produce globally competitive veterinary medicine graduates equipped
with high-quality skills and competencies for employment in the public and private sectors and
even overseas.

In full support of these laudable objectives, is the City of Ligao in Albay offered land
and such necessary facilities to make this vision a reality.

It is worth noting that this bill was approved by the House of Representatives on Third
Reading during the 18" Congress.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is eamestly requested.

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FERNANDO T. CABREDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HoUsE BILL.No._152

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BICOL UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF VETERINARY
MEDICINE IN THE CITY OF LIGAO, PROVINCE OF ALBAY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Establishment, ~ There is hereby established a college of veterinary
medicine in the Bicol University, to be located in the City of Ligao, Province of Albay, which
shall be known as the “Bicol University-College of Veterinary Medicine”.

See. 2 General Mandate. - The Bicol University-College of Veterinary Medicine,
‘ollege", shall primarily offer a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

hereinafter referred to as the "
(DVM) Program. The program shall be a six-year course consisting of a two-year preparatory
veterinary medicine curriculum, including general education courses, and a four-year
professional veterinary medicine curriculum consisting of basic animal sciences, and
veterinary medical sciences, and using learning competency-based standards and outcomes-
based approach. The primary goal of the College shall be to develop a corps of professional
veterinary physicians who are adept in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of

animal diseases, including terrestrial and aquatic animals.

Sec. 3. Implementation. — The implementation of the DVM program shall be in
accordance with Republic Act No. 5521, entitled “An Act Establishing The Bicol University,
Defining Its Powers, Functions, And Duties, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other


Purposes", and existing provisions of the Bicol University Code of 2016, particularly Chapter
Il, Section 4, which allows the Bicol University, through its Board of Regents, to promulgate
and implement programs, projects and activities in accordance with state policies on education,
‘other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution, as well as the policies, standards and
the thrust of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Sec. 4. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of this Act
notwithstanding, the establishment of the College 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 institution has complied with the policies,
standards, and guidelines of the CHED Memorandum Order No. 01, series of 2018, for the
DVM Program: Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation when the institution
has substantially complied with the minimum requirements for the program.

Sec. 5. Duty and Tax Exemptions. - The importation by the College of medical,
scientific, and technical books or publications, medical equipment or instruments which are for
medical, laboratory or scientific and technical purposes shall, upon certification by the CHED,
be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863,
otherwise known as the “Customs Modemization and Tariff Act”.

Alll grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used
actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes by the College, shall be exempt from
donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction 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. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act

Sec. 7. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise
known as the "Higher Education Modemization Act of 1997", shall form part of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act shall
be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall

remain in full force and effect.


See. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,