HOUSE UF REPKE TIVES
RECEIVED
02 AUG 2016

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRE
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

SE 231
HOUSE BILL NO aS OT
— = =—— BLS INTIS ERVICES

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO, DEOGRACIAS B. RAMOS, JR.
and ANTHONY M. BRAVO

Introduced by REP!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Sorsogon State College (SSC) was created by virtue of RA 7666 on December 30,
1993 converted the former Sorsogon College of Arts and Trades into a State College and
integrating therein three of the biggest National Vocational Schools in the province, namely
Bulan Vocational High School, Magallanes Vocational and Fishery School, and Sorsogon
National Agricultural School in Castilla

The SSC has gone though the transition period, has eventually stabilized, and has emerged
as one of the best higher leaming institutions in the province pitting wisely against well-known
universities in the country when it comes to quality and excellence. In the twenty years of its
existence, $SC has now become a resource institution consistently achieving its annual target
towards the fulfillment of its Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives. Not to be missed is the
intensive effort of all the members of the Academic community in pursuing persistently the
promotion of social goal which is poverty reduction and human development through quality
education,

Likewise at present, the Sorsogon State College has the capability to produce globally
competitive graduates wherein, faculty are equipped with new knowledge and technical expertise
being delivered and transferred effectively to the community serving as instrument to leverage the
people from the bondage of poverty.

‘These are only but few of the triumphs that the College has garnered and delivered as the
premier higher learning institution in the province of Sorsogon as it braces itself to face the world
of university status. It is imperative to note the following achievements that logically warrant its
conversion from State College to a University, to wit

1, Instruction

There are a total of 24 programs being implemented by the College consisting of
20 undergraduate, 5 of which are ladderized programs, and 4 graduate programs with a
laboratory high school. Two of the Campus - the Magallanes and Castilla recognized as
Provincial Institute in Fisheries and Agriculture respectively.

Three programs are submitted for Level 111 accreditation, eleven were level two
accredited and the rest are level one accredited and candidate for level one status.
2. Licensure


With the 10 programs of the College that requires licensure examinations, all have
performed better than the national percentage. The fact that for 2012 alone the College
produced seven (7) national placers apart from several topnotchers produced by the
College way back 2005

3. Academic staff and Personnel

The College has 287 plantilla positions 199 of which are faculty and 88 are non-
teaching. From the faculty members, 32 are doctorate degree holders, 122 are master's
degree holders with units in doctorate degree. In pursuing excellence and quality, the
College has a strong faculty and staff development program to where at present eleven
faculty are on scholarship (study leave with pay) to finish graduate studies in recognized
universities in Metro Manila for their masteral and doctoral studies.

4, Research and Extension Services

Recent trend in the area of research has been very promising. The number of
researches completed per year has drastically increased. One concrete manifestation of
which is that, compared to the previous two years where the average number of completed
research is seven (7), in 2012 it catapulted seventeen completed and four (4) on going. The
College has also received awards from regional, national, and intemational fora for is
research undertakings. Several research works have also been published in various
referred journals.

Similarly, the extension department of the College has been performing
successfully as it consistently exceeded its set targets. In 2012 the office of the extension
services has accomplished 132% of its target or in other words, an increase of 518 clients
for that year, Implementation of reformist policies are also in full swing as he office
without let-up pursues its objectives in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders

In sum it can be said that the College at present is already a force to reckon with.
Undeniably it is also on a par with the fine universities in the country. It is about time a
new paradigm for its future is set for the institution.

Based on the above cited reasons, the College rightfully claims its being a
university and the passage of the bill is earnestly requested,

ee emrees G. ESCUDERO
1* District, Sorsogon

ANTH! M. BRAVO
Party-list, COOP-NATCCO-


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Cit

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2314

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO and DEOGRACIAS B. RAMOS, JR.
and ANTHONY M. BRAVO.

AN ACT
CONVERTING TE SORSOGON STATE COLLEGE IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORSOGON INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE SORSOGON
STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Sorsogon State College (SSC) in the Province of
Sorsogon, which is composed of the $SC-Sorsogon Campus in Sorsogon City, the SSC-Bulan
Campus in the Municipality of Bulan, the SSC-Magallanes Campus in the Municipality of
Magallanes, and the SSC-Castilla Campus in the Municipality of Castilla, all located in the
Province of Sorsogon, is hereby converted into a state university to be known as the Sorsogon
State University. The main campus of the University shall be in Sorsogon City.

EC. 2. General Mandate, - The Sorsogon State College, hereinafter referred to as the
shall primarily provide advance and higher professional, technical and special
instructions in education and technology, engineering and architecture, public administration and
management, accountancy, economics and finance, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, arts and
sciences, maritime education, peace and security courses and other related fields of study. It shall
also undertake research and extension, as well as income generation programs, for the sustainable
development of the Province of Sorsogon.

SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate
courses in the fields of education and technology, engineering and architecture, public
administration and management, accountancy, economics and finance, agriculture, forestry and
fisheries, arts and sciences, maritime education, peace and security courses, information
technology and other degrees/courses within its areas of specialization and according to its
capabilities as the Board may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in meeting
the needs of the Province of Sorsogon and Region V.

The existing reasonably-sized laboratory high school shall continue to operate under the
control of the College of Education of the University to serve the in-campus requirements of the
students in the College of Education.

SEC. 4. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers of a corporation
set forth in Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, as amended, otherwise known as the “Corporation Code of


the Philippines", The administration of the University and the exercise of its corporate powers
shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University.

SEC. 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board 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 Education, Arts and Culture of the Senate,
member;

d. the Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of
Representatives, member;

e, the Regional Director of the National Economie and Development Authority (NEDA),
member;

£ the Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), member;

g. the Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), member;

h. the President of the Federation of Faculty Association of the University, member;

i. the President of the Federation of Student Councils of the University, member;

j the President of the Federation of Alumni Association of the University, member; and

. two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in
their professions or fields of specialization of the University, members.

The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among @ list of at least five
(5) qualified persons in the Province of Sorsogon, as recommended by the search committee to be
constituted by the University President, in consultation with the CHED Chairperson and the other
members of the Board, based on the standards and qualifications for the position set by the Board.

The term of the President of the Federation of Faculty Associations, the President of the
Federation of Alumni Associations, and the President of the Federation of Student Councils as
members of the Board shall be co-terminous with their terms of office as set forth in their
respective Constitution and bylaws.

The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of
appointment.

SEC. 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board, in addition to its general powers of
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of Directors of a
corporation under existing laws, shall have the following specific powers and duties:

a, to promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared state policies on
education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, agriculture,
science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic
‘Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994";

b. to promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and
functions of the University;

¢. to receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the University
in the manner it may determine in is discretion to carry out the purposes and functions of the
University

d. to import economic, technical and cultural books and publications;


e. to receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all
kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit of the University
and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any;

f. to fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as matriculation fees,
graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due
consultation with the involved sectors. Such fees and charges, including government subsidies
and other income generated by the University, shall constitute a special trust fund, and shall be
deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests that shall accrue
therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the University.

Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, any
income generated by the University from tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the
operation of auxiliary services, and land grants, shall be retained by the University, and may be
disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension or other programs/projects of the
University: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which
these are collected. If, for reasons beyond its control, the University shall not be able to pursue
any project for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program
of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said funds for any reasonable purpose which,
in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the
University;

g, to adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater
access of poor but deserving students;

h. to authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other
facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including necessary supplies,
materials and equipment;

i, to appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the University, vice president
deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members and other officials and employees of the
University

j. to fix and adjust salaries of faculty members, administrative officials and employees,
subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and
other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of service and such other duties
and conditions as it may deem proper, to grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under
such regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary
notwithstanding, and to remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements of due
process of law;

k. to approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn by the
Administrative and the Academie Councils herein provided;

1. to set policies on admission and graduation of students;

m. to award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, agriculture or
any field of specialization within the academic competence of the University, and to authorize the
awarding of certificates of completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses;


hn, to establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of
Sorsogon as branches and extension center in coordination with the CHED, and in consultation
with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and to offer therein programs or
courses, in order to carry out the Constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational
opportunities;

©. to establish research and extension centers to promote the development of the
University;

p. to establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for
qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;

4g. to delegate any of its powers and duties provided to the President and other officials of
the University, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of
the Universit

t. to authorize an external management audit of the University, to be financed by the
CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA); and to institute
reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and
recommendations;

s. to collaborate with the governing boards of the state universities and colleges (SUCs)
within the Province of Sorsogon, under the supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the
DBM, and work towards restructuring of the University to become more efficient, relevant,
productive and competitive;

1. to enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable development
and management of the economic assets of the University, the proceeds from which shall be used
for the development and strengthening of the University;

u, to develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units
(LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private and local and foreign, in the
furtherance of the purpose and objectives of the University;

. to develop academic arrangements for institution-capability building with appropriate
institutions and agencies, public and private and local and foreign, and to appoint
experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange professors, scholars,
researchers, as the case may be;

w. to set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge
such as the use of information technology, the dual training system, open distance learning, and
community laboratory for the promotion of greater access to education;

x. to establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making and
transparency within the University;

y. to privatize, where most advantageous to the University, management of non-academic
services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance, and such other similar
activities; and


z, to extend the term of the President of the University, whose performance has been
rated by the Board as outstanding, beyond the age of retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy
(70), after upon unanimous recommendation by the search committee.

SEC. 7. Meetings of the Board. ~ The Board shall regularly convene once every quarter.
However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days’ prior written notice, call a
maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary within the year.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office at the
time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or the President of the
University is among those present in the meeting.

In the absence of the CHED Chairperson, a Commissioner of the CHED, duly designated
by the CHED Chairperson, shall represent the CHED Chairperson in the meeting, with all the
rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this meeting, the
President of the University, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the Presiding Officer: Provided, further,
That this proviso, notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to
designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chairperson of the Board, in which case said
CHED Commissioner, shall act as the Presiding Officer.

In case of the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education, Arts and
Culture and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education will not be able to attend
the Board meeting. they may designate their respective representatives to attend the meeting, who
will have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members of the Board.

‘The members of the Board shall not receive any salary, but shall be entitled to
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance to meetings
of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by resolution of the Board,
subject to existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. 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, upon recommendations of
a duly constituted search committee. The President shall serve 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 Sorsogon State College, if qualified,
shall serve as the first President of the Universi

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent
President of the University, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency
(SCP).

The Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the University 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, pending the
appointment of a new President: Provided, That the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only the
unexpired portion of the term.

The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those 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, as modified by Joint Resolution No. 4 dated
June 17, 2009, and by such other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and
shall be comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions.

The President of the University shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic
‘Affairs, a Vice President for Finance and Administration, and a Vice President for Research,
Extension and Training, who shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the
President.

Ss! 9. Heads of University Campuses. - The Campus Directors shall serve as heads or
administrators of the University campuses and they shall render full-time service.

They shall be appointed/designated by the Board upon recommendation of the search
committee and the President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the
Board: Provided, That the incumbent College Directors of the existing campuses all serve as
Campus Directors of their respective campuses upon the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. The Secretary of the University. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who
shall serve as such for both the Board and the University and shall keep all records and
proceedings of the Board, in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the
University shall serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of the Board
meetings.

SEC. 11. The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the
ex-officio treasurer of the University.

SEC. 12. Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council consisting
of the President of the University, as Chairperson, vice presidents, deans, directors and other
officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board policies
governing the administration, management and development planning of the University.

SEC. 13. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to be composed
of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the
rank of at least an assistant professor, as members.

The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the curricular
offerings and rules of discipline of the University, subject to the approval of the Board. It shall fix
the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their graduation and conferment of
degrees, subject to the review and approval of the Board through the President of the University,

It shall have disciplinary power over the students of the University and shall formulate
academic policies, rules and regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.

SEC. 14, The Faculty. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community
affiliation, ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the
appointment of facully members of the University: Provided, That the appointment shall be
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board: Provided, further, That a
member of the faculty shall not criticise. vouch for, recruit members in behalf of, or preach about,
any particular church or religious sect.



SEC.15. Scholarship Program/Admission. - Vhe University shall provide a scholarship
program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify
for admission to the University. No student shall be denied admission to the University by reason
of sex, religion, political, cultural or community affiliation, and ethnic origin

SEC. 16. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and Detail of
Personnel. ~ The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government are hereby
authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the University, such apparatus,
equipment or supplies as may be needed by the University, and to detail employees for duty
therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies
or services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment to public service, The
employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the
University, and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their regular services.

SEC. 17. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - A\\ assets, real and personal, personnel and
records of the SSC, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the University.
Provided. That the positions, rights and security of tenure of the faculty members and personnel
therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversation into a University shall be
respected: Provided, further, That the incumbents of the positions shall remain in the same status
until otherwise provided for by the Board: Provided, finally, That the College shall also include
an upgrade or increase in its human resource component.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSC are hereby declared
to be property of the University, and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the
University cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of land aforementioned be no
longer needed by the University, the same shall revert to the LGU concemed or to the Republic of
the Philippines, as the case may be.

SEC. 18, Tax Exemption. - The importation of economic, technical and cultural books
and publications, which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, philosophical,
historical or cultural purposes made by the University, upon certification by the CHED, shall be
exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of
the Philippines, as amended.

SEC. 19. Appropriations, - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the SSC, Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the University shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC.20. Development Plan, ~— Management —Audit,_-—Organization
/Administrative/Academie Structure, - Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) days after
the approval of this Act, the University shall accomplish the following:

a. submit a five (5)-year development plan, including corresponding program
budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the DBM;

b. undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHEDs and

c. accordingly set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure,
including the appointment of the key officials of the University.

SEC. 21. Annual Report. - On ot before the fifteenth (15") day of the second month after
opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with the Office of the President of


the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the CHED Chairperson, a detailed report on
the progress, conditions and needs of the University.

SEC. 22. Supplementary Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292,
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modemization Act of 1997", shall be an integral part
of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the University.

SEC. 23. 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 it shall constitute for the purpose, that the institution has
complied with the requirements for a university status based on CHED Memorandum Order No.
46, series of 2012, (Policy Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher
Education, through an Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based QA): Provided, That the panel may
issue such a recommendation when the institution has substantially complied with the
requirements for the grant of university status.

‘The following operational requirements for a university, as established by the CHED, shall
be complied with:

a. faculty members must possess relevant degrees in their areas of specialization, as
required by the CHED, and shall have participated in research and development activities in their
respective disciplines, as evidenced by refereed publications and other scholarly outputs;

b. a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from basic post-secondary to
doctoral programs;

c. viable research programs in specific (disciplinal and multidisciplinary) areas of study
that produce new knowledge, as evidenced by refereed publications, citations, inventions, and
patents, among others.;

d. comprehensive learning resources and support structures, (to include libraries, practicum
laboratories, relevant educational resources, and linkages with the relevant disciplinal and
professional sectors, to allow students to explore basic, advance, and even cutting edge
knowledge in a wide range of disciplines or professions;

e. active and ongoing linkage and affiliation with other research institutions in various parts
of the world that would ensure that the research activities of the university are functioning at
current global standards; and

£. outreach activities that allow the students, faculty, and research staff to apply the new
knowledge they generate to address specific social development problems broadly defined.

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 later
than January 01, 2020.

SEC, 24, Parity Clause. -All other powers, functions and privileges, responsibilities and

limitations to state universities and their officials under existing laws shall be deemed granted to
or imposed upon the University or its officials, whenever appropriate.

10,


SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the rules and
regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 26. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SEC. 28, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

‘Approved,

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