Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES  
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure seeks to establish the Bicol University College of Veterinary Medicine 
in the City of Ligao, Province of Albay. 
Over the past years, new variants of animal diseases have been reported all over the 
world and made a large impact on human health and food supply. Among the newly found 
infections around the world, 70% were found to be zoonoses such as Influenza A, Severe 
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Highly Pathologic Avian Flu (HPAI), Leptospirosis, 
Rabies and the most recent African Swine Fever (ASF) which resulted in the drastic decrease 
in pig meat in the Philippine market. 
According to DOH, DA, and DENR, there are at least 172 zoonotic diseases known. 
Emerging increase in these diseases poses a great challenge especially in the Philippines 
where animal and human health services and resources are limited.   Outbreak of animal 
diseases can also cost the country millions of losses due to animal slaughters, trade halts, and 
subsequent disease eradication efforts.  Animal health concerns reduce the quantity and 
quality of animals and/or commodities that are available.  Thus, animal health management is 
vital to support the livestock industry and ensure steady supply of healthy animals available 
for trade and consumption. 
Veterinary Medicine is the only profession that concerns animal health and human 
health. Veterinarians play a crucial role in protecting the health of the human by ensuring the 
health of the animals. They protect the animals by preventing and managing the emergence of 
zoonotic diseases. 
Ironically, there are only about 10,000 veterinarians in the Philippines and 20 of those 
are based in the province of Albay.  Likewise, there is only one (1) higher education 
institution (HEI) in the Bicol Region which offers Doctor of Veterinary Medicine which is 
two to three hours travel from the province of Albay.   
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In light of this current challenge, this proposed measure seeks to establish a College 
of Veterinary Medicine in Bicol University in the City of Ligao in the province of Albay. The 
vision is to produce globally-competitive veterinary medicine graduates equipped with high-
quality skills and competencies for employment in the public and private sectors and even 
overseas. 
In full support of these laudable and relevant measure, the City of Ligao in the 
province of Albay shall provide land and such other necessary facilities to make this proposal 
a reality. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is earnestly requested.  
FERNANDO T. CABREDO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES  
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE IN BICOL 
UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF LIGAO, PROVINCE OF ALBAY TO BE KNOWN 
AS THE BICOL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 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 Bicol University College of 
Veterinary Medicine Act. 
Sec. 2. Establishment. - There is hereby established college of veterinary medicine in 
Ligao City, Province of Albay, to be known as the Bicol University College of Veterinary 
Medicine, hereinafter referred to as the "College". 
Sec. 3. General Mandate. - The College shall primarily offer a Doctor of Veterinary 
Medicine (DVM) Program, which is a professional course involved in the prevention, 
diagnosis, treatment, and control of diseases of animals, including terrestrial and aquatic 
animals.   
The program shall be a 6-year course consisting of a 2-year preparatory veterinary 
medicine curriculum, including general education courses, and a 4-year professional 
veterinary medicine consisting of two-year preparatory veterinary medicine, basic animal 
sciences, and veterinary medical sciences. 
The primary goal of the program shall be the development of professionals who are 
adept in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases, including 
terrestrial and aquatic animals. 
Sec. 4. Implementation. – The implementation of the Veterinary Medicine program 
shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 5521 and existing provisions of the BU Code of 
2016, particularly Chapter II, Section 4 allowing the Bicol University, through its Board of 
Regents, to promulgate and implement programs, projects and activities in accordance with 
state policies on education, other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution, as well 
as the policies, standards and thrust of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).  
Sec. 5. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of this Act 
notwithstanding, the College shall, prior to the offering of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 
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Program, secure the proper authority from CHED by strictly adhering to the provisions of the 
CHED Memorandum Order No. 01, series of 2018 (Policies, Standards and Guidelines for 
the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).   
Sec. 6. Tax Exemption. -  The importation of scientific and technical books or 
publications, which are for scientific and technical purposes of the College, upon certification 
by the CHED shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization 5 and Tariff Act 
(CMTA)." 
All grants, bequests, endowment, donations, and contributions made to the College 
and are used actually, directly, and exclusively by the College shall be exempt from tax. The 
same shall be allowed deductions 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. 7. Annual Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second month 
after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Governing 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, condition, and needs of the 
College. 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 9. Suppletory 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 be applied suppletorily. 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of 
this Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,