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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
~~~~~~t~~~~ kYf : 
SENATE 
2656 
S. No. __ 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
House Bill No. 2177 authored by the late Congressman Jose M. Albert0 
which eventually became Republic Act No. 6341, created the Catanduanes 
State Colleges (CSC) in June 19, 1971 by converting the then Virac 
Agricultural and Trade School into a State College. 
Catanduanes, an island province, lies in the eastern most part of 
Region V. Separated from the Bicol mainland by the Maqueda Channel, trave1 
to and from the province by sea would require at least four (4) hours of long 
and agonizing journey, and more, should sea turbulence gets in the way. 
Travel by air though convenient at least, is no less encouraging because 
airfare is expensive. These factors constitute prime stumbling blocks for 
students who wants to pursue or are already pursuing higher education in the 
Bicol mainland and in Metro Manila. The sheer distance and the attendant 
high cost of sending students to higher learning institutions outside of the 
province are simply beyond the means of the majority of Catanduanes' 
populace. 
Though the province has a state college, CSC that is, students feel that 
to be competitive in finding jobs, it is still necessary that they should have a 
university-backed academic training. This is a reality revealed by prejudices 
in favor of university graduates. Hence, there is that persistent clamor among 
the studentry of Catanduanes to turn CSC into a University. This will 
moreover ease the burden of parents by lessening the costs of sending their 
school-age children to higher learning institutions. 


The conversion of CSC into a university will greatly cater to the need of 
the student population in Catanduanes for advanced studies and progressive 
leadership trainings in their chosen field of specialization. Hence, this will 
answer adequately the need of the province for more skilled, trained and 
educated populace in response to global demands. And needless to stress, this 
will enrich the province’s human resources that could thereafter provide 
economic security to the youth of Catanduanes after graduating from 
university. 
Consistent with the mandate of the Constitution directing the State to 
establish and maintain a complete, adequate and integrated system of 
education relevant to the goals of national development, passage of thisbill is 
earnestly requested. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT CONVERTING THE CATANDUANES STATE COLLEGES IN THE 
PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN 
AS THE CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provide advanced 
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education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in trade, 
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commerce, fishery, agriculture, arts and sciences, industrial technology, nursing, 
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midwifery, education, engineering, public administration, information technology, and 
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other relevant fields of study. It shall also undertake research and extension services, 
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and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization. 
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SEC. 3. Curricular Oferings. - The University shall offer undergraduate and 
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graduate courses in the fields of trade, commerce, fishery, agriculture, arts and sciences, 
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industrial 
technology, 
nursing, 
midwifery, 
education, 
engineering, 
public 
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administration, information technology, and other degrees/courses within its areas of 
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SECTION 1. 
Conversion. - The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) in the Province 
of Catanduanes, composed of CSC - Virac Campus in the Municipality of Virac and 
CSC - Panganiban Campus in the Municipality of Panganiban, both located in the 
Province of Catanduanes is hereby converted into a state university to be known as the 
Catanduanes State University, hereinafter referred to as the University. The main 
campus of the University shall be in Virac, Catanduanes. 


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specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of Regents may deem 
necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly to meet the needs of the Province of 
Catanduanes and Region V. 
The existing high school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of 
the Department of Education (DepEd): Provided, That the high school shall be allowed 
to remain and operate within the campus of the University until its students, who are 
currently enrolled, shall have completed their high school education: Provided, further, 
That the University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school, if it has a College 
of Education. 
SEC.4. Administrutiuiz. - The University 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 University and the 
exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and 
the President of the University. 
SEC. 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the University shall be the 
Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as Board, which shall be composed of the 
following: 
(a) The Chairperson of 
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
Chairperson; 
(b) The President of the University, Vice Chairperson; 
(c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
Senate, member; 
(d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
House of Representatives, member; 
(e) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA), member; 
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(f) The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 
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member; 
(9) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University, 
member; 
(h) The President of the federation of student councils of the University, member; 
(i) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University, 
member; and 
(j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the University, members. 
The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at least 
five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Catanduanes, as recommended by the 
Search Committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with the 
Chairperson of the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the normal 
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. 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, 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". 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents. - The Board shall have the 
following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
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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 purposes 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 tax 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 
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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. 
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 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, 
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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, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn 
by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided; 
(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
(1) 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 nondegree 
and nontraditional courses; 
(m) To establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the Province 
of Catanduanes 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; 
(0) 
To establish professorial chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
(p)To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for 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; 
(9) 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 the audit 
results and recommendations; 
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(r) To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
universities within the Province of Catanduanes or Region V, under the supervision of 
the CHED and in consultation with the DBM, 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 develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units (LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, local 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 
knowledge 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 establish policy 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 guidelines, qualifications 
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and/or standards set by the Board, after unanimous recommendation by the search 
committee. 
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at least once 
every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days’ prior 
written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary. 
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 the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED, 
duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights 
and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this 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 Chair of the 
Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer. 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall not 
be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
responsibilities as a regular member 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 in their attendance 
to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations. 
SEC. 9. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a President, 
who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board, subject to 
the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon recommendation 
of a duly constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of four (4) years and 
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shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, That in order to effect a 
smooth transition to a state university, the CHED shall designate an Officer-in-Charge 
of the University, pending the appointment of the first President of the University. 
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). 
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 his/her office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the 
University within six (6) months from 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, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only 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 the 
Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to 
that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
The President of the University shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic 
Affairs and a Vice President for Administration, who shall be appointed by the Board 
upon recommendation of the President. 
SEC. 10.Heads of 
University Campuses. - Campus Directors shall head the 
University campuses and they shall render full-time service. They shall be appointed by 
the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the University President, 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board: Provided, 
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That the incumbent college administrators of the extension campuses shall serve as 
Campus Directors of their respective campuses. 
SEC. 11. The Administmtive Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council 
consisting of the President of the University 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 University. 
SEC. 12. The Academic Council. - 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 
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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 
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graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/or 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. 13. The Secretuy of the University. - The Board shall appoint a secretary, who 
shall serve as such for both the Board and the University and shall keep all records and 
proceedings of the Board. He/She shall serve upon each member of the Board the 
appropriate notice of the Board meetings. 
SEC. 14. The Treusurer of the University. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be 
the ex officio treasurer of the University. 
SEC. 1 5 . m  Faculty. - No political beliefs, 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, 
That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or 
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standards set by the Board Provided, &ither, That no member of the faculty shall teach 
for or against any particular church or religious sect. 
SEC. 16. Scholarship Program/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 sex, religion, 
cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
SEC. 17.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 of the Republic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 18. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/EquipmenvSupplies 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. 19.Assefs, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, personnel 
and records of the Catanduanes State Colleges, as well as liabilities or obligations, are 
hereby transferred to the University. 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. 
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Catanduanes 
State Colleges are hereby declared to be property of the University, and shall be titled 
under that name: Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished or 
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should such parcels of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the 
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same shall revert to the LGUs concerned. 
SEC. 20,Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Catanduanes State 
Colleges, except the sums needed to continue the operations of the existing high school. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and 
maintenance of the Catanduanes State University shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 21. Development 
Plan, 
Managemen t 
Audit, 
Organizational/ 
Administrative/Acadernic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) days 
after the approval of this Act, the University shall 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) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic 
structure, including the appointment of the key officials of the University. 
SEC. 22. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second (2nd) 
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 Chairperson of the CHED, and 
with both Houses of Congress a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs 
of the University. 
SEC. 23. Suppletoy Application. - The provisions of Republic Act 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. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, responsibilities 
and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing laws shall be 
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deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials whenever 
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appropriate. 
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation with the 
CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 26. 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. 27. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 28. Eflectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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