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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No6544

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On June 4, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III approved into
law 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.”

In a report rendered by the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), however, on the status of implementation of recent legislation
establishing or converting schools into state universities and colleges, it
was indicated that the “Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) might not
be able to have substantial compliance with the CHED’s requirements
before the January 2016 deadline”. A proposed legislation therefore was
filed during the Sixteenth Congress to extend the deadline for compliance
of the PIT with CHED’s requirements. Although approved in the House
of Representatives, said bill however was not acted upon in the Senate for
Jack of material time.

This amendatory bill seeks to recalibrate the period of compliance
by the school as far as the operational requirements for a university
provided under Sec. 25 of RA 10599 by doing away altogether with a
fixed but arbitrary time frame for such compliance. This is in recognition
of the solid accomplishments of PIT in the field of education and as
engine of progress for the local economy. Among others, the school
boasts of maritime education programs that are not only accredited with
the CHED and the MARINA but are also [SO-certified. It has also posted
high passing percentages among its graduates in board examinations.


In view of foregoing, the early approval of this bill is earnestly

requested,
dh

LUCY(ORRES*GOMEZ


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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 6542

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT

EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE OF THE
PALOMPON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION FOR CONVERSION INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY,
THEREBY AMENDING 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 FUND THEREFOR”

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

SECTION 1. Section 25 Of Republic Act No. 10599, known as
“An Act Extending The Deadline For Compliance Of The Palompon
Institute Of Technology With The Requirements Of The Commission On
Higher Education For Conversion Into A State University, Thereby
Amending 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 Fund Therefor”, shall
be amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 25. Compliance With CHED Requirements, —
The provisions of this Act notwithstanding, the
establishment or conversion of the institution into a state
university shall become effective only upon the
determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the
recommendation of a panel of experts, that the institution
has complied with the requirements for a university status.
The CHED, through its regional office, shall regularly
provide technical assistance to the institution and monitor

compliance with the requirements of the Commission.

“The CHED shall designate a panel of experts who
shall prepare a recommendation to the Chairperson of the
CHED, on whether the institution has substantially complied
with the requirements for the grant of university status.

“The following are the operational requirements for a
university:

“(a) Level III accreditation or its equivalent under
CHED policies for at least four (4) of its undergraduate
programs, one (1) in liberal arts and one (1) in the sciences,
and two (2) of its graduate programs;

“(b) Ratio of qualified full-time faculty with requisite
degrees to number of students;

“(c) Adequate library and laboratories;


“(d) Research and development output of practical
and commercial application to the community;

“(e) Relevant linkages and outreach programs that are
of service to the community; and

“(f) Relevant academic policies, system and
processes.

“The institution shall retain its status prior to the
effectivity of this Act, unless in the meantime it is able to
comply with the requirements provided herein[, within a
period not exceeding January 1, 2016].

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, proclamations,
issuances or ordinances that are contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved, _ a fp