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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. __344

Introduced by HON. MARLO C. BANCORO
First District, Zamboanga Sibugay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: “The
State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all
levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as the principal government
agency tasked with formulating and implementing policies, plans, and programs for
the development and efficient operation of the higher education system in the country,
plays a vital role in fulfilling this constitutional mandate.

This bill seeks to establish a Provincial Office of the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, to be strategically located
in its capital town of Ipil, and to be known as the CHED-Zamboanga Sibugay Office.

Zamboanga Sibugay is home to several higher education institutions (HEIs)
catering to the educational needs of its growing population. However, the absence of a
dedicated CHED office in the province has posed challenges in the timely
implementation of CHED programs, monitoring of institutional performance,
provision of assistance to students and schools, and the general coordination of higher
education development efforts.

The establishment of a provincial CHED office will bring the agency's services
closer to the people, ensuring more efficient, accessible, and responsive delivery of its
programs and projects, including scholarships, faculty development, quality assurance,
research and extension support, and institutional regulation

This measure seeks to bridge the gap between the CHED Central and Regional
Offices and the HEIs in Zamboanga Sibugay by enabling more direct and proactive
coordination, reducing bureaucratic delays, and promoting educational development
that is inclusive and attuned to the province's unique needs.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly

sought.
Lo

ATTY. iCORO


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL Nt

Introduced by HON. MARLO C. BANCORO
First District, Zamboanga Sibugay

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION AND
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF IPIL,
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY TO BE KNOWN AS CHED-
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 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 Commi
Higher Education (CHED) Provincial Office in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay,
under the supervision of CHED, to be known as the CHED-Zamboanga Sibugay
Provincial Office and shall be established in its capital town, Ipil.

SEC. 2. Organization. - Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act,
the CHED, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Office. The
organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be submitted to the Commissioner
of CHED, to the Regional Director of Region g and to the Secretary of DBM for
approval. The Commissioner of CHED shall immediately include in CHED’s system
the operationalization of CHED-Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Office.

SEC. 3. Administration. - The Office shall be headed by a Provincial
Director, under the supervision of CHED, who shall render full-time service and be
responsible for its administration and operation.

‘The Provincial Director shall be appointed by the Regional Director of Region 9,
with the approval of the Commissioner of CHED in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Civil Service Commission and the qualification requirements for
such office.

SEC. 4. Operationalization. - ‘The CHED Chairperson shall immediately
include in the CHED's programs the operationalization of the CHED-Province of
Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office.


SEC 5. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the operation of the
CHED-Province of Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office shall be charged against the
current year’s appropriations of the Commission on Higher Education. Thereafter,
such amount necessary for its continued operation shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
after the approval of this Act, CHED shall prepare and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, presidential
decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders,
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions not affected thereby.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,