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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7558

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farinas |

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create CHED Provincial Office in the City of Laoag, Province of
locos Norte. This aims to extend all programs and projects of the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) Central Office to the province for faster and more efficient
implementation of programs and projects in all Higher Educational Institutions in the
whole province of llocos Norte.

In virtue of Republic Act No. 7722 or the "Higher Education Act of 1994," CHED is
mandated to protect, foster and promote the right of citizens to affordable quality
education at all levels and take appropriate steps to ensure that education shall be
accessible. Since the establishment of CHED, it has provided programs and projects
aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education as well as providing equal
opportunities to all students who are financially burdened but would still like to be given
the chance to gain educational degrees.

Presently, the nearest CHED office from the first district of llocos Norte is the
Regional Office located in San Femando, La Union which would take at least four (4)
hours of travel time. Some of our constituents have raised concerns in relation to their
programs and projects, however, due to distance, students have experienced difficulty
following up their student subsidies or financial assistances. They would normally ask
assistance from our district office to relay it to CHED.

With the approval of this bill, this will not only provide faster and more efficient
implementation of all programs and projects of the commission but would further benefit
all students of locos Norte in addressing their concems and improving their services.

G. FARINAS RU ESAR G. FARINAS



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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7558

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias |

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION AND HIGHER EDUCATION
(CHED) IN THE CITY OF LAOAG TO BE KNOWN AS CHED-ILOCOS NORTE PROVINCIAL
OFFICE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “CHED-llocos Norte Provincial Office
Act",

Sec. 2, Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with Sections 1 and 4 of Article XIV of the
1987 Constitution, itis the policy of the State to 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. I further recognizes the complementary roles of public and
private institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision

and regulation of all educational institutions.

Sec. 2. Establishment. - There is hereby established a Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) Provincial Office in the City of Laoag, Province of llocos Norte, under the
supervision of CHED, to be known as the CHED-llocos Norte Provincial Office, which shall
be established in a highly accessible location in the City of Laoag.

Sec. 3. General Mandate. - The CHED-locos Norte Provincial Office, herein referred to as
‘Office’, shall be the extension of the Central Office and the Regional Office of Region |


primarily to deliver all programs and projects in the City of Laoag and its neighboring
municipalities and provinces to further enhance the quality of education for all higher
educational institutions established within Ilocos Norte.

Sec. 4, Organizational Structure. - 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 pattem of the Office. The
organizational structure and staffing pattem shall be submitted to the Commissioner of
CHED, to the Regional Director of Region | and to the Secretary of DBM for approval.
The Commissioner of CHED shall immediately include in CHED's system the

operationalization of CHED-Laoag Provincial Office.

Sec. 5. 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 1,
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. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 7. 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. 8. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, presidential decrees or
n, administrative orders, rules and

issuances, executive orders, letters of instructi

regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

amended, or modified accordingly.


Sec. 9. 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. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,