Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 11190

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PAUL R. DAZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines’ commitment to the State’s role in education is enshrined in the Constitution,
which mandates that, “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education
at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all” (Article XIV,
Section 1).

Everyone's right to education is also affirmed in Article 26 of the 1948 Universal Declaration
on Human Rights. Moreover, UNESCO (2015) reiterates that the full enjoyment of the right to education
is “fundamental to achieving sustainable development.” On a more personal level, education enables an
individual to reach his highest potential and, in many cases, helps families from getting out of poverty.

Education is also seen as an investment for the future. Every peso spent has significant multiplier
effect. If we are going to base our estimates on a study in Germany (Janzen et al., 2022), for example,
it is estimated that for every P10 of public investment, the gross value added is at P46.50. Meanwhile,
a study for Australia revealed that for every $1 of education expenditure increase, the increase in
Australian GDP is $21 (Carmignani, 2016).

The Philippines has been delivering policy milestones when it comes to education. In 2017, then
president Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic
‘Act 10931) into law. The landmark legislation mandates free tuition and exemption from other fees in
state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs). From its enactment
up to end of academic year 2021-2022, it already benefited more than two million students (CHED,
2022).

The Philippines has, in fact, enshrined education in the Constitution, in Article XIV, Section 1,
which mandates that, “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education
at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

To achieve the objective, this bill seeks to establish a satellite campus of the University of
Eastern Philippines (UEP) in the municipality of San Antonio. The UEP-Main Campus is located in
Catarman, the capital of Norther Samar, which is some 40 kilometers away from the island town of
San Antonio located in the western coast of the province.

The establishment of the new campus will therefore significantly improve access to quality
education, generate employment and opportunities and enhance the local economy of San Antonio,
which is separated from the rest of the province by the Dalupirit Pass.

This Bill aims that cach satellite campus should focus on specific concentrations to ensure cost-
efficiency and meet the challenges in the province and the region.

Below are potential program concentrations that may be by the UEP-San Antonio Campus:


() Mechanical and transportation engineering, which may include courses on ports
development, energy and electricity systems (including renewable energy), heavy
equipment systems and operations, and power tools and equipment for both light
grade use and industrial and transportation purposes.

(ii) Environmental science /engineering, which may include courses on climate

mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, disaster risks, response and management,

biodiversity conservation, geographic information system (GIS), flood control and
management, mini-hydro water systems, food security, forestry, and natural
resources management.

Fisheries and marine resources management, which may include fisheries and aquatic

technologies, small to medium-scale aquaculture, food processing technology, and

mangrove propagation.

(iv) Tourism/eco-tourism and hospitality-related courses relating to hotel, restaurant, and
tourism development management, marketing and communications, language
proficiency, and heritage and culture.

The proposed UEP San Antonio satellite campus is hoped to benefit not only San Antonio but
also the neighboring island municipalities of Capul and San Vicente—all of them with a combined
population of about 30,000. This could also lead to temporary in-migration of students from other
municipalities, even from the entire province, as the campus widens its programs and course offerings.
The province is hopeful that the satellite campus could also help usher food security, resilience, and
‘energy security in the province and the rest of Region VIIL

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Representative, 1" District of Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 11190

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PAUL R. DAZA

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES SATELLITE
‘CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN NORTHERN SAMAR, 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 “University of Eastern Philippines San
Antonio Satellite Campus Act.”

Section 2. Establishment, —There is hereby established satellite campuses of the University of
Eastern Philippines (UEP) in the Municipality of San Antonio, Northern Samar.

Section 3. General Mandate. - The UEP-San Antonio Satellite Campus (UEP-San Antonio) shall
primarily provide short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses within its areas
of competency and specialization, pursuant to the mandate of the University, and according to their
capabilities as the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, may deem necessary for the
accomplishment of the objectives of the University, and those which respond to the human resources
development needs of the Province of Norther Samar and Region VIII.

‘The UEP-San Antonio Satellite Campus is also mandated to undertake research and extension

services.

The establishment of the UEP-San Antonio Satellite Campus shall ensure that the minimum
requirements for their operation and program offerings have been complied with as duly prescribed by
CHED.

Section 4. Course and Curricular Offerings and Training Programs. - The UEP San Antonio
Satellite Campus shall offer tertiary education and training courses in accordance with the thrust of the
Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and current offerings of UEP. To ensure cost-efficiency
and in consideration of the requirements and potential of the San Antonio municipality and its


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neighboring municipalities and islands, the region, and the whole country, the UEP-San Antonio
Satellite Campus shall focus on particular programs or specializations, as approved by the BOR.

Section 5. Administration. The UEP-San Antonio Satellite Campus shall be headed by
Campus Directors who shall render full-time service and shall be appointed or designated by the Board,
upon the recommendation of the search committee and the President of the University. Such
appointment or designation shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the
Board.

Section 6. Transfer of Assets and real properties. — All assets, real and personal, and records of
the UEP-San Antonio Satellite Campus, as well as liabilities or obligations, shall be transferred to the
University.

All parcels of land belonging to the goverment occupied by the UEP-San Antonio Satellite
Campus shall be declared to be the property of the University and shall 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 concemed local
‘government units or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.

Section 7. Integration of RA 8292 ~The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292. otherwise known
as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this Act, and together, shall
serve as the governing charter of the University.

Section 8. Grant of powers — All other powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and
limitations under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and its
officials, whenever appropriate.

Section 9. Development Plan, Infrastructure Development Plan, Management Audit, and
Organization, Administrative, and Academic structure. ~ Within a period of sixty (60) days after the
approval of this Act, the UEP-SASC shall accomplish the following:

(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program budget to

CHED, for appropriate recommendation the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM);

(b) Submit an infrastructure development plan including a corresponding site development plan

to CHED, for appropriate recommendation to DBM;

(©) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED; and


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(4) Certify that the course offerings and training programs are fully aligned with the minimum
standards set forth by law and needs of the host municipality and adjacent areas served, and in
the context of emerging technologies and intent of PQF and ASEAN framework for tertiary
education; and

(©) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative, financial, and academic structures,
including the appointment/designation of the key campus officials.

Section 10. Authority to Loan or Transfer Lands, Apparatus, Equipment, Supplies, and
Vehicles. ~The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government, and the heads of local
government units (LGUs) are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon request of the University
President, such lands, apparatus, equipment, supplies, and vehicles as may be needed by the UEP-SASC
when, in the judgement of the heads of said bureaus, offices, or LGUs, such lands, apparatus, equipment,
supplies, and vehicles can be spared without serious detriment to public service.

Section 11. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 12. 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 shall remain in full force and
effect.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified
accordingly

Section 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,