Py
Republic of the Philippines
House Or REpRESsENTATIVES X\

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular S;

Introduced by Honorable Vicente “Varf’ Belmonte, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to convert the Iigan City National School of Fisheries

(ICNSF) into the Iligan City Polytechnic State College.

Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides, in part, that
“The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relative to the needs of the people and society.”

In recent years, providing access to quality education has been a principal
objective of the government with the ultimate goal of attaining sustainable
development. Education is essential to achieving human development as it
provides people with opportunities and enables them to have a better future.
Education greatly contributes to fostering peace, democracy and economic
growth as well as improving health and reducing poverty.

Iigan City National School of Fisheries was formally established on May
4, 1973 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4625. In its more than forty years of
existence, it has provided educational opportunities to the youth of Iligan City
and nearby provinces and municipalities, thus, preparing them for gainful
employment to meet the demands of the fisheries industry in the country.
Recently, ICNSF has emerged as one of the top model schools for the Senior
High School (SHS) curriculum of the “K-12 Program” of the Department of
Education.

Converting the ICNSF into a Polytechnic State College will make Iligan
City home to an educational institution that will be vital in helping further
develop and strengthen the country’s fisheries industry. Currently, the ICNSF
is a public technical-vocational school with approximately eleven hectares of
land area at Purok I, Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City. It is the only public
secondary school with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

Bill Drafting Service


(TESDA) accredited courses in Aquaculture National Certificate (NC) Level II,
Fish/Food Processing NC Level II, Bread and Pastry Production NC Level II
and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC Level II

The conversion of ICNSF into a Polytechnic State College will widen its
curriculum and address the need of the student population in Iligan City and
neighboring provinces and municipalities for easier access to quality education.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

VICENTE “VARF”'BELMONTE, JR.


weene

nu

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

Introduced by Honorable Vicente “Varf” Belmonte, Jr.

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE ILIGAN CITY NATIONAL SCHOOL OF
FISHERIES (ICNSF) INTO THE ILIGAN CITY POLYTECHNIC
STATE COLLEGE (ICPSC) DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS
AND DUTIES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Conversion. — The present Iligan City National School
of Fisheries (ICNSF) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte is hereby converted into
the Iligan City Polytechnic State College, hereinafter referred to as the

Polytechnic State College.

2. Purpose.~ The Polytechnic State College shall primarily
offer professional and technical instructions and training in both the graduate
and undergraduate levels in the fields of fishery education, marine
transportation, tourism, trade and the arts, It shall also offer vocational and
technology courses in welding technology, vocational technology, fishery
technology, hotel and restaurant services, hotel and household services, baking

technology, electronic services and repair. The Polytechnic State College shall

Bill Drafting Service


10

1

16

7

18

19

20

continue to offer the Junior High School and Senior High School Program under
the technical-vocational curriculum of the K to 12 Program of the Department
of Education.

It shall serve as the center for development of the fisheries industry and

shall provide technological, professional and occupational training on the

utilization and development of appropriate technologies. It shall also undertake

research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in the area
of fishery education.

The Polytechnic State College shall offer undergraduate, graduate and
short-term technical courses within its area of specialization as the Board of
Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in order to
meet the needs of the city and the province.

SEC3. Powers of the Polytechnic State College. — The Polytechnic
State College will have the structure and powers of a higher education
institution, geared towards the development of technical education and skills
development goals of the country, particularly in developing and strengthening
the country’s fisheries industry.

The Polytechnic State College 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


10

uw

12

13

16

vy

18

19

20

Polytechnic State College and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be
vested exclusively in its Board of Trustees.

SEC.4, The Governing Board; Manner of Appointment. — 2)
Composition ~The governing body of the Polytechnic State College shall be the
Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the
following:

1) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
chairperson;

2) President of the Polytechnic State College, vice-chairperson;

3) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) or a duly authorized representative, member;

4) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) or a duly authorized representative, member;

5) President of the faculty association of the Polytechnic State
College, member;

6) President of the student council of the Polytechnic State College,
member;

7) President of the alumni association of the Polytechnic State
College, member;

8) Two (2) prominent citizens who have distinguished themselves in

their professions or fields of specialization chosen from among a list of at least


10

ce

12

13

ors

v7

18

19

20

24

five (5) qualified persons in igan City and Lanao del Norte, as recommended
by the search committee constituted by the President of the Polytechnic State

College in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED based on the normal

standards and qualifications for the position.

‘The two (2) private sector representatives shall be appointed by the Board
upon recommendation of the duly constituted search committee. The City
Government of Iligan shall be represented in the search committee.

b) Term of Office - The president of the faculty and alumni associations
and the student trustees shall sit in the Board until the expiration of their term of.
office in such capacities.

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

SEC.5. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees.— The Board
shall have the following specific powers and duties in addition to its general
powers of administration and the exercise of all 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 purposes and functions of the Polytechnic State
College;

b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the

support of the Polytechnic State College in the manner it may determine, in its


10

rr

2

13

18

19

20

21

discretion, to carry out the purposes and functions of the Polytechnic State
College;

c)  Toreceive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal
properties of all kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when necessary
for the benefit of the Polytechnic State College, subject to 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 tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions
of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended: Provided, That
such donations shall not be disposed of, transferred or sold;

d) — To fix tuition fees and other necessary school fees and charges
including 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 incomes
generated by the Polytechnic State College, 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 fund for the use
of the Polytechnic State College.

Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary

notwithstanding, any income generated by the Polytechnic State College from


10

cry

12

13

14

15

16

7

20

a

tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services
and land grants, shall be retained by the Polytechnic State College, and may be
disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension, or other programs
and projects of the Polytechnic State College: Provided, That all fiduciary fees
shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they are collected.

If for reasons beyond its control, the Polytechnic State College shall not
be able to pursue any project for which 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
Polytechnic State College;

¢) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school
fees for greater access by poor but deserving students;

f) To authorize the construction or repair of the buildings, equipment
and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal
properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment. Purchases
and other transactions entered into by the Polytechnic State College through the
Board shall be exempted from all taxes and duties;

g) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the
Polytechnic State College, vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of

departments, faculty members and other officials and employees;


10

i

2

3

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

21

h) To fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members and

administrative officials and employees subject to the provisions of the Revised

Compensation and Position Classification System, as amended, 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 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;

i) To approve the curricula, institutional programs and rules of
discipline drawn by the administrative and academic councils as herein
provided;

i) To set policies on admission, graduation and certification of
students;

k) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of
outstanding contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science
and technology or in any field of specialization within the academic competence
of the Polytechnic State College and to authorize the award of certificates of
completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses;

1) To absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the province of
Lanao del Norte in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the

Department of Budget and Management, and to offer therein needed programs


10

avy

15

16

7

18

19

or courses, to promote and carry out equal access to educational opportunities
mandated by the Constitution;

m) To establish research and extension centers of the Polytechnic State
College where such will promote the development of the latter;

n) To establish chairs in the Polytechnic State College and to provide
fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving
students;

0) — To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove
to the President or other officials of the Polytechnic State College as it may
deem appropriate so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the
Polytechnic State College;

p) To authorize an external management audit of the institution, to be
financed by the CHED and to institute reforms, including academic and
structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;

q) To collaborate with CHED, TESDA and other governing boards of
state universities and colleges within the region, under the supervision of the
CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, in
the restructuring of the Polytechnic State College to become more efficient,
relevant, productive and competitive in producing professionals, technologists

and technicians;


10

11

12

23

4

15

16

v7

18

19

t) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the
profitable development and management of the assets of the Polytechnic State
College, the proceeds of which will be used for the development and
strengthening of the Polytechnic State College;

s) To develop consortia and other forms of linkages with local
government units, institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and
foreign, in furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the Polytechnic State
College;

t To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability
building with appropriate institutions and agencies, public or private, local or
foreign, and to appoint experts or specialists as consultants, or visiting or
exchange professors, scholars, researchers, as the case may be;

u) To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of
transmitting knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual
system, open learning, community laboratory, and competency-based training
for the promotion of greater access to higher education, professional and
technological education and skills development;

v) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative

ion-making and transparency within the Polytechnic State College;


10

a

12

13

16

7

18

19

w) To privatize, where most advantageous to the Polytechnic State
College, management and non-academic services such as health, food, building
or grounds or property maintenance and similar such other activities; and

x) To extend beyond the age of retirement but not later than the age of
seventy (70) the term of the President of the Polytechnic State College whose
performance has been unanimously rated as outstanding and upon unanimous
recommendation by the Search Committee for the President of the Polytechnic
State College.

SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. — The Board
shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared state
policies on education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine
Constitution on education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports; as
well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No.
7722 and also in accordance with the policies, standards and programs of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the

designated government authority in technical education and skills development.

Board Meetings; Quorum, ~ The Board shall regularly
convene at least once every quarter. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

may call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, That membs

$ are

notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to said meeting.

10


n

12

13

14

15

16

19

20

a

A majority of all members holding office shall constitute a quorum for
board meetings: Provided, That the Chairperson of the CHED who is the
Chairperson of the Board or the President of the Polytechnic State College is
among those present in the meeting. In the absence of the Chairperson of the
CHED, a duly designated Commissioner of the CHED, shall represent the
Chairperson of the CHED in the meeting with all the rights and responsibilities
of a regular member: Provided, however, That in the said meeting, the
President of the Polytechnic State College 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 to the Board of the Polytechnic State
College, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the presiding
officer.

The members shall serve without compensation, but they shall be
reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in their attendance of meetings of
the Board or in connection with their official business authorized by resolution
of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. Administration.— The administration of the Polytechnic
State College shall be vested in a President who shall render full-time service.
The President shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of a

duly constituted search committee. The President shall have a term of four (4)

coy


10

nn

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term. In order to effect
a smooth transition to a Polytechnic State College, the current head of the
ICNSF shall become the first President of the Polytechnic State College.

The President shall be assisted by a vice president for academic affairs
who shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President
of the Polytechnic State College without prejudice to the appointment of more
than one vice president when so warranted.

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of the incumbent
President, the Board shall create a search committee for the presidency.

In case of vacancy by reason of death, compulsory retirement,
resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the
functions of the office, the Board shall have the authority to designate an
officer-in-charge of the Polytechnic State College within six (6) months from
the date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new President,

In case of vacancy in the office of the president as mentioned in the

immediately preceding paragraph, the successor shall hold office only for the

unexpired portion of the term.
The powers and duties of the President of the Polytechnic State College
in addition to those specifically provided in this Act shall be those usually

pertaining to the office of the president of other educational institutions.

12


a

2

13

14

7

18

19

20

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 other pertinent budget and
compensation laws, and shall be comparable to that being received by the
presidents of similar educational institutions.

SEC.9. Secretary. — The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who shall
serve as such for both the Polytechnic State College and the Board, and shall
keep all records of the Board.

SEC. 10. Treasurer. — The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex
officio Treasurer of the Polytechnic State College.

SEC. 11. Administrative Council.— There shall be an administrative
council consisting of the President of the Polytechnic State College 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
institution.

SEC. 12. Academic Council.— There shall be an academic council
consisting of the President of the Polytechnic State College as Chairperson,
vice-presidents and all members of the instructional staff with the rank not

lower than assistant professor, as members.

13


2

13

14

18

19

20

The academic council shall have the power to review and recommend the
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the Polytechnic State College, for
the approval of the Board. It shall fix the requirements for admission to the
Polytechnic State College, as well as for graduation and the conferring of
certificates and diplomas, subject to review and approval by the Board through
the President of the Polytechnic State College.

SEC. 13. Academic Freedom. — Pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of
Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, all
institutions of higher learning, public or private, shall enjoy academic freedom
and institutional autonomy.

SEC. 14. Admission and Scholarships. — No student shall be denied
admission to the Polytechnic State College by reason of gender, nationality,
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, or political
affiliation.

The Polytechnic State College shall provide a scholarship program and
other subsidies to assist the poor but deserving students who qualify for
admission to the Polytechnic State College.

SEC. 15. Faculty. — No religious opinion or affiliation, political
beliefs, gender, preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin,

shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the

14


Polytechnic State College: Provided, however, That no member of the faculty
shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.

SEC. 16. Development Plan; Management Audit; Organizational,
Administrative and Academic Structure.— Within the period of one hundred
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the Polytechnic State College
shall accomplish the following;

a) Submit a five (5) year development plan, including program budget
to CHED and TESDA, for corresponding recommendation to the Department of
Budget and Management,

b) — Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED and
TESDA; and

c) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic
structure, including the appointment of key Polytechnic State College officials.

SEC.17, Transfer of Assets. — All assets, real and pers

nal, personnel

and records of the ICNSF based in the City of Iligan, as well as liabilities or
obligations, are hereby transferred to the Polytechnic State College. The
position, rights and security of tenure of personnel therein employed under
existing laws shall be respected.

All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the
ICNSF are hereby declared to be the property of the Polytechnic State College

and shall be titled under that name.

15


"

10

u

12

7

18

19

20

2a

SEC. 18. Loan of Equipment. — The heads of bureaus and offices of
the national government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer upon request
of the President of the Polytechnic State College such apparatus, equipment or
supplies as may be needed by the Polytechnic State College, 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 the public service. Employees detailed
shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the
Polytechnic State College and the time so employed shall be counted as part of
their regular services.

SEC. 19. Auditing.— All accounts and expenses of the Polytechnic
State College shall be audited by the Commission on Audit or its duly
authorized representative.

SEC. 20. Filing of Report. — Not later than the fifteenth day of the
second month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall
file with the Office of the President of the Philippines, through the CHED and
TESDA, and to both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress,
conditions and needs of the Polytechnic State College.

SEC. 21. Appropriations.- ‘The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations

of the ICNSF. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued

16


10

1

2

operation and maintenance of the Polytechnic State College shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 22. Repealing Clause.— All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, memoranda, rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 23.  Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 24. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,