EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1698
E-FILED
r, July 14 2020 m 
E* -------------------- </>i
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE 
UNIVERSITY (SDSSU) IN THE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR 
INTO NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY (NEMSU) 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states 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." By providing 
education, poverty can be eliminated and every individual can make a contribution in 
developing the nation.
The Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU), formerly Surigao del Sur 
Polytechnic State College (SSPSC), is composed of six campuses strategically located 
in the Province of Surigao del Sur. It achieved its status as a university through 
Republic Act No. 9998 which was signed on February 22, 2010. The university is 
mandated to provide advanced education, higher technological, professional 
instruction and training in trade, fishery, agriculture, science, education, commerce, 
engineering, forestry, nautical courses and other programs. Pursuant to the 
Constitutional mandate, SDSSU aims to cater more student from different parts of the 
Region.
Hence, this bill seeks to convert the Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) in 
the Province of Surigao del Sur into North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU). 
Furthermore, this bill aims to reform its educational system in line with the standards 
of a university and to provide quality education not only to the people of the Province 
of Surigao del Sur, but also to the people of the entire North-Eastern Mindanao.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1698
FILED
ndbx
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE 
UNIVERSITY (SDSSU) IN THE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR 
INTO NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY (NEMSU) 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) in the
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Province of Surigao del Sur, composed of SDSSU-Tandag Campus in Tandag City,
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SDSSU-Cantiian Campus in the Municipality of Cantiian, SDSSU-Lianga Campus in the
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Municipality of Lianga, SDSSU-Tagbina Campus in the Municipality of Tagbina, SDSSU-
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San Miguel Campus in the Municipality of San Miguei, SDSSU-Cagwait Campus in the
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Municipality of Cagwait, SDSSU-Bislig Campus in the City of Bislig, SDSSU-Marihatag
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Campus in the Municipality of Marihatag and SDSSU-Hinatuan Campus in the
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Municipality of Hinatuan is hereby converted into Northeastern Mindanao State
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University (NEMSU), hereinafter referred to as the University. The main campus of the
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University shall be in the City of Tandag, Surigao dei Sur.
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SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provide advanced
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education, higher technoiogicai, professional instruction and training in trade, fishery,
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agriculture, science, education, commerce, engineering, forestry, nautical courses,
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medicine, nursing, midwifery and its allied sciences, social work, criminology,
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aeronautics and aviation sciences, mining and geo sciences and other reiated fields.
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It shall also undertake research and extension services and provide progressive
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leadership in its areas of speciaiization.
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SEC. 3. Curriculum Offerings. - The University shaii offer undergraduate,
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graduate and post-graduate programs and short-term courses in the fields of
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agriculture and environment studies, fishery, marine biology, marine transportation,
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engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine, nursing,
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midwifery and other heaith-related programs, social work, criminology, aeronautics
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and aviation sciences, mining and geo sciences, information technology, arts and
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sciences, public administration, business administration and other business courses,
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and other degree courses within its areas of specialization and according to its
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capabilities, as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives,
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and in order to meet the needs of Northeastern Mindanao provinces and the nation
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for socioeconomic and sustainable development and competitiveness.
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SEC. 4. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers of a
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corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, otherwise known as the
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"Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the University and the
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exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents
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and the President of the University.
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SEC. 5. Vie Governing Board. - The governing board of the University shall be
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the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed
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of the following:
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a. The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) -
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Chairperson
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b. The President of the University-Vice Chairperson
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c. The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the
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Senate - Member
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d. The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education
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of the House of Representatives - Member
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e. The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development
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Authority (NEDA) - 
Member
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f. The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology
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(DOST) - Member
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g. The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University
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- Member
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h. The President of the federation of student councils of the University -
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Member
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i. The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University
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- Member, and
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j. Two prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
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themselves in their professions or fields of specialization of the University
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members.
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The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at least
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five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Surigao del Sur, as recommended by the
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search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with the
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Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the normal
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standards and qualifications for the position.
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The term of office of the President of the federation of faculty associations, the
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President of the federation of student councils and the President of the federation of
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alumni associations shall be coterminous with their respective terms of office, as set
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forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws.
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The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the
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date of appointment without prejudice to re-appointment for another term.
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SEC. 6. Promuigation and Impiementation of Poiicies. - The Board shall
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promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declares State policies on


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education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution 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".
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. - The Board of Regents 
shall have the specific powers and duties, 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:
a. To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be 
necessary to carry out the purpose and functions of the University;
b. To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of 
the University in the manner it may determine in its discretion, in order to 
carry out the purposes and functions of the University;
c. To import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books and/or 
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such imported books 
and/or publications are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended;
d. 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.
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be 
considered as allowable deductions from the gross Income in the 
computation of the income tac of the donor, in accordance with the 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as 
amended; Provided, That such donations shall not be disposed of, 
transferred or sold;
e. To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as, but not 
limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the 
Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved 
sectors.
Such fees and charges. Including government subsidies and other income 
generated by the University, shall constitute special trust funds 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.


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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;
f. To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school 
fees for greater access to poor but deserving students;
g. 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;
h. To appoint, upon recommendation of the President of the University, Vice 
Presidents, Deans, Directors, Heads of campuses. Faculty members, and 
other officials and employees of the University;
i. To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and 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;
j. To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline 
drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils herein provided;
k. To set policies on admission and graduation of students;
l. 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 in 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;
m. To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the 
Province of Surigao as branches and centers in coordination with the CHED, 
and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
and to offer therein programs or courses, to promote and carry out equal 
access to educational opportunities as mandated by the Constitution;
n. To establish research and extension centers of the University where such 
will promote the development of the latter;
o. To establish professional chairs in the University and to provide fellowships 
for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students;


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p. To delegate any of its powers and duties provided hereinabove to the 
President and/or other officials of the University as it may deem 
appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the 
University;
q. 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 audit results and recommendations.
r. To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
universities within Northeastern Provinces, under the supervision of the 
CHED and in consultation with the DBM and other reguiatory agencies, and 
work towards the restructuring of the University to become more efficient, 
relevant, productive and competitive;
s. 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;
t. To deveiop consortia and other economic forms of iinkages with locai 
government units (LGUS), institutions and agencies, both public and 
private, locai and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives 
of the University;
u. To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, 
and to appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or 
exchange professors, scholars, researchers, as the case may be;
V. To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowiedge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning 
system, open or distance education and community laboratory for the 
promotion of greater access to education;
w. To estabiish poiicy guidelines and procedures for participative decision­
making and transparency within the University;
X. To privatize, where most advantageous to the University, management of 
nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance and such other similar activities; and
y. To extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
retirement but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance has 
been unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the 
guideiines, quaiifications and/or standards set by the Board, after 
unanimous recommendations by the search committee.


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SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at least
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once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days
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prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary.
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A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding
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office at the time of the meeting; Provided, however. That the Chairperson of the
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Board or the President of the University is among those present in the meeting.
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In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED,
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duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights
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and responsibilities of a regular member. Provided, however, That during the meeting,
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the President of the University as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer;
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Provided, further, That the proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is
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hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the
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Board of Regents, in which case said CHAIR Commissioner shali act as the Presiding
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Officer.
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In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall
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not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective
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representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and
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responsibilities as a regular member of the Board.
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The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to
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honorarium, reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in
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their attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business
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authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.
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SEC. 9. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a
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President, who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board,
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subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon
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recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of
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four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term; Provided, That
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in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the incumbent President of
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the Surigao del Sur State University, if qualified, shall serve as the first President of
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the Northeastern Mindanao State University.
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Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the
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incumbent President of the University, the Board shall constitute the Search
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Committee for the Presidency (SCP).
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compuisory
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retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform
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the functions of his/her office, the Board shall have the authority to designate and
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Officer-in- Charge of the University pending the appointment of a new President.
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the
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immediately preceding paragraph, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall
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serve only the unexpired portion of the term.
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The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those
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specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the
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President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board.
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The salary of the President of the University shall be In accordance with the
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Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to
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that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. The President
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of the University shall be assisted by the Vice President/s, who shall be appointed by
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the Board upon recommendation of the President.
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SEC. 10. Heads of University Campuses. - Campus Directors shall head the
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University campuses and they shall render full-time service. They shall be appointed
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by the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the University
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President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board,
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Provided, That the incumbent University Administrators of the campuses shall serve
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as Campus Directors of their respective campuses.
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SEC. 11. The Administrative Councii. - There shall be an Administrative Council
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consisting of the President of the University as Chairperson, Vice Presidents, Deans,
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Directors and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to review and
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recommend to the Board the policies governing the administration, management and
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development planning of the University.
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SEC. 12. The Academic Councii. - There shall be an Academic Council, to be
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composed of the President of the University, who shall act as Chairperson, and all
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academic staff with the rank of at least assistant professor, as members.
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SEC. 13. The Secretary of the University. - The Board shall appoint a secretary,
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who shall serve as such for both the Board and the University and shall keep all records
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and proceedings of the Board. He/She shall serve upon each member of the Board
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the appropriate notice of the Board meetings.
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SEC. 14. The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines
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shall be the ex-officio Treasurer of the University.
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SEC. 15. The Facuity. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or
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community affiliation or ethnic origin and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a
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matter of Inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the University; Provided,
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That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or
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standards set by the Board: Provided, further. That no member of the faculty shall
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teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
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SEC. 16. Schoiarship Program/Admission. - The University shall provide a
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scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but
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deserving students who qualify for admission to the University No student shall be
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denied admission to the University by reason of sex, religion, cultural or community
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affiliation or ethnic origin.


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SEC. 17. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University shall
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enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section
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5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
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SEC. 18. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/SuppUes and
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Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government
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are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the
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University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the University,
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and to detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgement of the head of bureau
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or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be
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spared without serious detriment to the public service. The employees so detailed shall
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perform such duties as required of them by the President of the University, and the
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time so employed shall be counted as part of their regular services.
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SEC. 19. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal,
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personnel and records of the Surigao del Sur State University, as well as liabilities or
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obligations, are hereby transferred to the Northeastern Mindanao State University
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(NEMSU). The positions, rights and security of tenure of faculty members and
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personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversion into NeMSU
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shall be respected.
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All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSDSU are
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hereby declared to be property of the NeMSU, and shall be titled under that name;
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Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished or should such
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parcels of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the same shall
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revert to the national government.
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SEC. 20. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
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this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of Surigao del Sur
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State University. Except the sums needed to continue the operations of the existing
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high school. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation
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and maintenance of the Surigao del Sur State University shall be included in the annual
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General Appropriations Act.
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In addition to the regular appropriations and increases for the University under
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the annual GAA, a University modernization program fund, hereinafter referred to as
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the Fund, shall be appropriated in the amount of Two Hundred Million Pesos (P
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200,000,000.00) per year for a period of five (5) years, and for creation of one
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hundred (100) Faculty positions and thirty (30) Non-teaching positions to commence
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in the year after the approval of this Act, which shall likewise be included In the annual
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GAA. The Fund shall be used for the construction and improvement of University
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structures and facilities. Including the University thereafter mentioned In Section 19 of
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this Act.
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SEC. 21. Development Plan, Management Audit,
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Organizational/Administrative/Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred
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twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the University shali accomplish the
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following:
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(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding
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program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the DBM;
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(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and
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(c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic
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structure, including the appointment of the key officials of the University.
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SEC. 22. CHED Monitoring and Evaiuation. - The CHED shall conduct regular
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monitoring and evaluation to determine continuing compliance with the requirements
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on University status. In the event that the Commission finds that the University does
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not maintain compliance thereof, it shall submit the appropriate recommendation for
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the revocation of the University status to the Senate Committee on Education, Arts
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and Culture, and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
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SEC. 23. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second
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month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with the
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Office of the President of the Philippines through the Chairperson of the CHED, and
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with both Houses of Congress a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs
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of the University.
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SEC. 24. Suppietory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292,
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othenvise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall be an
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integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the
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University.
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SEC. 25. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges,
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responsibilities and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing
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laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials
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whenever appropriate.
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SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Board, in consultation with
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the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 27. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
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Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not
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affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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SEC. 28. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,