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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B. No. 1733
iwDex.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE ABRA STATE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES AND 
TECHNOLOGY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LAGANGILANG AND 
BANGUED, PROVINCE OF ABRA INTO A UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE UNIVERSITY OF ABRA, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution provides 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 5//."The Constitution further 
mandates that the State establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and 
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.
Pursuant to the aforementioned constitutional mandate, this bill proposes to 
convert the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology in the municipalities of 
Lagangilang and Bangued, Province of Abra into a University to be known as the 
University of Abra.
The Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology currently offers 
undergraduate degree, graduate degree, non-degree and basic education 
programs. They provide education to more than 4,000 students per academic year. 
By converting the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology into a University, 
educational facilities will be modernized, and the quality of education will be 
improved.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill 
is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
1733
S.B. No.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE ABRA STATE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES AND 
TECHNOLOGY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LAGANGILANG AND 
BANGUED, PROVINCE OF ABRA INTO A UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE UNIVERSITY OF ABRA, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Conversion. - The Abra State Institute of Sciences and 
Technology (ASIST) in the Province of Abra, which is composed of the ASIST- 
Lagangilang Campus in the Municipality of Lagangilang, and the ASIST-Bangued in 
the Municipality of Bangued, all located in the Province of Abra, is hereby converted 
into a state university to be known as the University of Abra. Its main campus shall 
be in the Municipality of Lagangilang.
Sec. 2. Genera!Mandate. - The University of Abra, hereinafter referred to as 
the University, shall primarily provide advance education, higher technological and 
professional instruction and training in the fields of education, agricultural 
technology, agribusiness management, industrial technology, arts and sciences, 
forestry, health sciences, information technology, and other relevant fields of study. 
It shall also undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive 
leadership in its areas of specialization in the Province of Abra and in Cordillera 
Administrative Region (CAR).
Sec. 3. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The University 
shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to Paragraph 2, 
Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.


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Sec. 4. Curricular Offerings. - The University shali offer undergraduate, 
graduate and post-graduate programs and short-term courses in the fields of 
education, agricultural technology, agribusiness management, engineering, 
industrial technology, forestry, arts and sciences, information technology, and other 
degree courses within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as 
the Board Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in 
meeting the needs of the Province of Abra and the Cordillera Administrative Region 
(CAR).
The existing reasonably-sized laboratory high school and elementary school 
shall continue to operate under the control of the College of Teacher Education of 
the University to serve in-campus requirements of the students of the College of 
Teacher Education.
Sec. 5. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers of a 
corporation set forth In Batas Pambansa Big. 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 6. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the University shall 
be the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired 
and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
and the President of the University, respectively, and with the following members:
a) Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
Philippine Senate;
b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
House of Representatives;
c) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA);
d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
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e) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
f) President of the federation of the faculty associations of the University;
g) President of the federation of student councils of the University;
h) President of the federation of alumni associations of the University; and
i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization.
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of 
at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Abra where the University and 
its campus are located, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the 
President of the University, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and 
the other members of the Board, based on the standards and qualifications for the 
position.
The term of office of the President of the federation of faculty associations, 
the President of the federation of student councils, and the President of the 
federation of alumni associations shall be coterminous with their respective terms of 
office, as set forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws.
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from 
the date of appointment.
Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. - In addition to its general 
powers of administration and the powers granted to the Board of Directors of a 
corporation under existing laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers 
and duties:
a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared state 
policies 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";


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b) Approved the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline 
drawn by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided;
c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the University, the 
vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members 
and other officials and employees of the University;
d) 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 and other pertinent budget and 
compensation laws governing hours of service and such other duties and 
conditions as it may deem proper; 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 remove them for cause 
in accordance with the requirements of due process of law;
e) 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. 
The fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income 
generated by the University, shall constitute its 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 law, rule of 
regulation 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, lands and 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: Provided however. That if, for reasons beyond this control, 
the University shall not able to pursue any project for the funds have been


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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) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees 
for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with R.A 
No. 10931 or "The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act";
g) Establish professorial chairs in the University and provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;
h) Receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of 
the University in the manner it may determine, in its discretion, to carry 
out the purposes and functions of the University;
i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;
j) 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 authorize the awarding of certificates 
of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses;
k) Establish research and extension centers to promote the development of 
the University;
l) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private and local and 
foreign, and appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time, 
visiting/exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;
m) Adopt modem and Innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for the 
promotion of greater access to education such as the use of information


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technology, dual training system, open distance learning, and community 
laboratory;
n) Collaborate with the governing boards of the state universities and 
coileges (SUCs) within the Province of Abra or the Cordillera Administrative 
Region, under the supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in restructuring to 
University to make it more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive;
o) Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Abra as 
branches and extension centers in coordination with the CHED and in 
consultation with the DBM, and offer therein programs or courses to carry 
out the Constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational 
opportunities;
p) Authorize an external management audit in University, to be financed by 
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit 
(COA), and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, 
on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;
q) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units (LGUs), as well as public, private, local and foreign 
institutions and agencies, in the furtherance of the purposes and 
objectives of the University;
r) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications;
s) 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) Receive in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when


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necessary, for the benefit of the University and subject to the limitations, 
directions and instructions of the donor, if any;
u) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment 
and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, 
including the necessary supplies, materials and equipment;
v) Extend the term of the President of the University beyond the age of 
retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the 
guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board: Provided, That 
the President's performance has been rated by the Board as outstanding 
and unanimous recommendation has been made by the search 
committee;
w) 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 University;
x) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision 
making and transparency within the University;
y) Where most advantageous to the University; privatize the management of 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or 
property maintenance, and such similar activities; and
z) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the University.
Sec. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene once 
every three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may call a special meeting 
whenever necessary: Provided, that members are notified in writing at least three 
(3) days' prior to the conduct of said meeting.


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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 case the CHED Chairperson cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED 
Commissioner duly designated by the CHED Chairperson as representative to the 
meeting, shail have ali the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, 
however. That in the said 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, shall act as the 
presiding officer.
In case the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and 
Cuiture and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education wiii not be 
able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
representatives to attend the meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
responsibilities as the reguiar 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 for their 
attendance in the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business 
authorized by resolutions of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.
Sec. 9. Vie University President. - The University shall be headed by a 
President, who shali render full-time service and be appointed by the Board, subject 
to the guidelines, quaiifications and standards set by the Board, upon the 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The University President 
shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another 
term: Provided, That in order to effect the smooth transition to a state university, 
the incumbent president of the ASIST, if quaiified, shali serve as the first president 
of the University.
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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 (QIC) 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 OIC shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term.
The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those 
specifically 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 RA 
No. 6758 of the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989, 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 the Vice President for 
Academic Affairs, a Vice-President for Administration, and a Vice-President for 
Research, Extension and Training, who shall be appointed by the Board upon the 
recommendation of the President of the University.
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 who 
shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board. The Secretary of the University 
shall serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notices of board 
meetings.


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Sec. 11. The Treasurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines 
shall be the ex o/57c/b Treasurer of the University.
Sec. 12. The Administrative Councii. - There shall be an Administrative 
Council consisting of the President of the University as Chairperson, and vice 
presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose 
duties are to review and recommend to the Board the policies governing the 
administration, management and development planning of the University.
Sec. 13. Vie Academic Councii. -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 review and approval by 
the Board through the President of the University. It shall have the disciplinary power 
over students of the University and shall formulate academic policies, and rules and 
regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.
Sec. 14. Heads of University Campuses. -The Campus Directors shall serve 
as heads or administrators of the University campuses and shall render full-time 
service.
They shall appointed/designated by the Board upon recommendation of the 
Search Committee and the President, subject to guidelines, qualifications and 
standards set by the Board: Provided, That the incumbent Campus Directors of the 
existing campuses upon the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 15. The Facuity. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
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 standards 
set by the Board: Provided, further. That no member of the faculty shall teach for 
or against any particular church of religious sect.
Sec. 16. Scholarship Program and Admission. -The 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 gender, 
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin.
Sec. 17. 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. 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
personnel and records of the ASIST, as well as its liabilities or obligations, are hereby 
transferred to the University: Provided, That the positions, rights and security of 
tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior 
to the conversion 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 Boards: Provided, finally. That the University shall also include an upgrade 
or increase in its human resource component.
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All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the ASIST and 
all its campuses, are hereby declared to the property of the University, and shail be 
titled under its name: Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be 
abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed by the 
University, the same shall revert to the LGUs concerned or to the Republic of the 
Philippines, as the case may be.
Sec. 19. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. -The importation of 
economic, technical and cultural books or 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 RA No. 10863 otherwise known as the "Customs 
Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)".
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions made to the 
University to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the University shall be 
exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction 
from the gross income of the donor for purposes of computing the taxable income 
of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code 
of 1997, as amended.
Sec. 20. Development Pian, Management Audit, and Academic Structure. - 
Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, 
the University shail accomplish the following:
a. Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding 
program budget, to the CHED for corresponding recommendation to the 
DBM;
b. Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and
c. Set up its organizational, administrative, as weli as academic structure, 
including the appointment of key officials of the University.
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Sec. 21. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of this Act 
notwithstanding, the conversion 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 in Philippine Higher Education through the Outcomes-Based and 
Typology-Based Quality Assurance): Provided, That the panel may issue such 
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 with relevant degrees in their areas of specialization, as 
required by the CHED, and 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 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;
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e. Active and ongoing linkages and affiliation with other research institutions 
in various parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the 
University are functioning at current global standards; and
f. Outreach activities that allow the students, faculty, and research staff to 
apply the new knowledge they generate to address specific social 
development problems.
The CHED, through its regional office, shall regularly provide technical 
assistance to the institution and monitor compliance with the requirements of the 
Commission.
The institution shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it 
is able to comply with the requirements provided herein.
Sec. 22. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations for the Abra 
State Institute of Sciences and Technology. 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. 23. SuppietoryAppiication. -The provisions of RA No. 8292, otherwise 
known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall be an integral part 
of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the University.
Sec. 24. Fiiing of Report. -On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with 
Office of the President of the Philippines, through the Chairperson of the CHED, and 
with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress, conditions and 
needs of the University.
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Sec. 25. 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 and its officials 
whenever appropriate.
Sec. 26. 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. 27. 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. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 29. 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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