EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1963
December 21
¥
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CAMPUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES 
(UEP) IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ALLEN, VICTORIA, AND LAVEZARES, 
PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights proclaims in Article 26, that 
"everyone has the right to education."
The fuli enjoyment of the right to education is "fundamental to achieving 
sustainabie development (UNESCO, 2015). Education enables an individual to reach 
his highest potential and, in many cases, helps families from getting out of poverty.
The Philippines has, in fact, enshrined education in the Constitution, in Article 
XIV, Section 1, which mandates 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."
Moreover, the State must tailor the educational system to the needs of the 
citizenry. This task is made more complex by the new normal, which is still evolving 
as the world copes with COVID-19. Otherwise stated, the process of learning and 
capacity-building should produce skills that will be matched with employment and 
economic opportunities even whiie considering future health and environmental


challenges. In the same vein, employment and economic opportunities should be 
based on the needs, assets, and resources of any region and locality.
For example, the Report on Regional Economic Developments in the Philippines 
(2016)1 has highlighted some of the challenges in Region 8:
• 
Need to build up socio-economic resiliency against the impact of natural and 
man-made disasters.
• 
Need to optimize the use of land and water resources by developing key 
production
areas for economies of scale, including idle lands for possible forage/feedstuff 
development, and increase investments in irrigation development, especially in 
the
Samar Island provinces.
• 
Inadequate and poor infrastructure support facilities and utilities in Eastern 
Visayas may affect investors' interest in the region.
• 
Low adoption and application of technology in the region to advance the 
productive sectors such as agri-fisheries, forestry, food processing, and MSMEs 
sectors.
• 
Need to modernize the policy and regulatory frameworks in the Information 
Communication Technology (ICT) sector to address major barriers and 
perennial issues that continue to affect the development of ICT in Eastern 
Visayas.
• 
Need to address the Issue on jobs and skills mismatch through human resource 
development and creating a competitive and industry-responsive labor supply.
Thus, firstly, there should be more efforts in establishing schools and learning 
centers, which will lead to rigorous training of students whose skills and competencies 
are better matched to what the local and national economies require, cognizant of the 
new normal. Secondly, such schools and learning centers should be accessible to all 
especially in rfiunicipalities that do not yet host large commercial and Industrial 
centers.
1 Department of Economic Research Regional Monetary Affairs Sub-Sector, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 
(2016).


Indeed, the new normal necessitates transformation and innovation in how we 
all live including how we should structure the education sector. For instance, while the 
tourism sector has been negativeiy impacted by COVID-19 (and may likely be so 
Impacted again in the future), tourism can and must evolve. The future sees more 
domestic and road travels, more solitary and couple travels (rather than In groups), 
and potentially longer stays (because of work-at-home arrangements). Moreover, the 
new normal sees more focus on digital technologies, scientific research, medical and 
public health systems, food security and agriculture, and environmental innovation (in 
the light of climate change).
To continue the pursuit of greater accessibility for the poorest segment of the 
population as well as support regional development, the Philippine government sees 
the need to build more schools and learning centers in the province, in consideration 
of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF).2
To achieve the objective, this bill seeks to establish satellite campuses of the 
University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in the municipalities of Allen, San Isidro, and 
Lavezares. UEP Is located in Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar, with an 
estimated population of 94,037 (PSA, 2015).3 The three proposed host municipalities 
have a combined population of about 80,889 (PSA, 2015). Allen is 44 kilometers from 
Catarman; San Isidro, about 81 kilometers; and Lavezares, about 40 kilometers.4 The 
establishment of these three campuses will significantly improve access to quality 
education In the Province—especially those residing in the western part where these 
three municipalities are located—and support local and regional development.
2 TESDA and CHED are now working together to harmonize technical and vocational education and training 
(TVET) and Higher Education practice toward the implementation of the Philippine Qualifications 
Framework (PQF). The PQF is a quality-assured national system for the development, recognition, and 
award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills, and values acquired in different ways and 
methods by learners and workers of the country (DOLE). It ensures that learners are adequately supported 
through harmonization and strengthening of Diploma Programs, Philippine Credit Transfer System, and 
the Philippine Qualifications Register (PhQuaR).
3 Northern Samar is one of the three provinces into which Samar island Is divided, the other two being 
Samar and Eastern Samar. The island is the third biggest in the Philippine archipelago, next only to Luzon 
and Mindanao.
4 Population-wise, according to the 2015 Census registered with PSA, Northern Samar has a provincial 
population of 632,379.


This Bill aims that each satellite campus should focus on specific concentrations 
to ensure cost-efficiency and meet the challenges in the province, the region, and the 
new normal.
Below are potential program concentrations that may be offered in each 
campus:
(a) Allen Satellite Campus - As host to a port, Allen's growth relies on 
improving the skills sets of its popuiation toward the needs of industrial and 
transportation sectors, whiie at the same time, the need of the economy 
. under the new normal. Appreciating the intent of PQF, course/program 
offerings for future degree programs such as industrial and mechanical 
education courses may qualify as prerequisites for other degree programs 
(i.e., toward a degree in engineering). The following program 
concentrations may be offered in the sateliite campus:
(i) 
Industrial and mechanical education and technology, which may 
include courses on industrial trades, metal and steel industries, heavy 
equipment systems and operations, energy and electricity systems, 
and power tools and equipment for both light grade use and 
industrial and transportation purposes.
(ii) 
Electronics and information technology, which may include programs 
and courses on computer hardware and software, operating systems, 
web-based information and applications, telephones and other 
telecommunications products, video equipment and multimedia 
products, personal computers, computer literacy and information 
technology (IT)-related courses, and programming and digital 
technology.
(ill) Other IT- and knowledge-related programs such as knowledge 
management, business process outsourcing, data science, web and 
graphic design, photography and photography applications, and SEO 
optimization and analytics.


(b) Lavezares Satellite Campus - Lavezares is nearest to Biri islands and 
host to white sand beaches, which offer high potential for service-oriented 
enterprises and eco-tourism. The following program and course 
concentrations may be offered in the campus, cognizant of the evolving 
nature of travel, leisure, and hospitality under new normal:
(i) 
Design programs/courses including architecture and interior design, 
landscape architecture, computer-aided design and computer-aided 
manufacturing (CAD/CAM) programming/operation, sustainable and 
green building, and master planning.
(ii) 
Tourism/eco-tourism and hospitality-related courses relating to 
hotel, restaurant, and tourism development management, marketing 
and communications, language proficiency, and heritage and culture.
(ill) Agriculture and farm technology including courses in small to 
medium-scale gardening and propagation, horticulture, aquaculture, 
livestock raising, food processing technology, and culinary arts.
(c) San Isidro Satellite Campus - San Isidro has rugged terrain, with rolling 
hills and steep mountains. It is also host to a port, several rivers, and 
waterfalls systems such as Busay, Veriato, and Kang Pongkol falls. The 
following courses may be offered in the campus, appreciating the thrust 
toward food security, environmental management, and climate resilience:
(i) 
Irrigation technician and water management courses such as on 
irrigation systems and installation, repair and maintenance, backflow, 
audit, mini-hydro water systems, and flood risks management, and 
water harvesting systems.
(ii) 
Programs in agriculture, forestry, and wood science/technology 
including forest management, silviculture, commercial forestry, 
agroforestry, and conservation.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IGUEL F. ZUBIRI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1963
FILED
December 21
DATE
TIME
KOEX
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CAMPUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES 
(UEP) IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ALLEN, VICTORIA, AND LAVEZARES, 
PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "University of Eastern Philippines
2 
(UEP) - Alien, Victoria, and Lavezares Campuses Act."
3 
SEC. 2. There are hereby established satellite campuses of the University of
4 
Eastern Philippines (UEP), hereinafter referred to as the University, in the Municipalities
5 
of Allen, Victoria, and Lavezares, Province of Northern Samar, to be known as the UEP-
6 
Allen Campus, UEP- Victoria Campus, and UEP, Lavezares Campus.
7 
SEC. 3. The UEP-Allen Campus, UEP-Victoria Campus, and UEP Lavezares Campus
8 
shall primarily provide short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate
9 
courses within their respective areas of competency and specialization, pursuant to the
10 
mandate of the University, and according to their capabilities as the Board of Regents,
11 
hereinafter referred to as the Board, may deem necessary for the accomplishment of the
12 
objectives of the University, and those which respond to the human resources
13 
development needs of the Province of Northern Samar and Region VIII.
14
15 
The UEP - Allen Campus, UEP-Victoria Campus, and UEP- Lavezares Campus are
16 
also mandated to undertake research and extension services.
17 
SEC. 4. - The UEP - Allen Campus, UEP - Victoria Campus, and UEP - Lavezares
18 
Campus shall be headed by Campus Directors who shall render fulltime service and shall
19 
be appointed or designated by the Board, upon the recommendation of the search
20 
committee and the President of the University. Such appointment or designation shall be
21 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board.
22 
SEC. 5. - All assets, real and personal, personnel, and records of the UEP-Allen
23 
campus, UEP - Victoria Campus, and UEP - Lavezares Campus, as well as liabilities or
24 
obligations, shall be transferred to the University.
25
26 
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the UEP - Allen
27 
Campus, UEP- Victoria Campus, and UEP - Lavezares Campus shall be declared to be the
28 
property of the University and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the


1 
University cease to exist or be abolished, or shouid aforementioned parcels of land be no
2 
longer needed by the University, the same shall revert to the concerned LGUs or to the
3 
Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.
4 
SEC. 6. The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise known as the "Higher
5 
Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this act, and together, shall serve
6 
as the governing charter of the University.
7 
SEC. 7. All other powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities and limitations
8 
under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and its
9 
officials, whenever appropriate.
SEC. 8. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 
Included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 9, If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect.
10
11
12
13
14
15 
SEC. 10. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
16 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified
17 
accordingly.
18 
SEC. 11. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
19 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,