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Third Regular Session ooo

HOUSE BILL NO. 11063

Introduced by Rep. Vincent Franco D. Frasco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a regular campus of the Cebu Normal University in the
municipality of Catmon, Province of Cebu, to be known as the Cebu Normal University -
Catmon Campus, and appropriating funds therefor.

Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 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 all. Further, Section 2 (1) of the same Constitution provides
that the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system
of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.

Cebu Normal University (CNU) is a higher education institution duly organized and
existing by virtue of Republic Act No. 8688, otherwise known as the Cebu Normal University
Charter. It was established in 1902 as a provincial normal school and a branch of the Philippine
Normal School. It became an independent institution in 1924, a chartered college in 1976, and a
university in 1998. CNU is one of the oldest educational institutions in Cebu, Currently, CNU
has three campuses, the main campus in Osmefia Boulevard, Cebu City and two extension
campuses in Medellin and Balamban.

Last May 24, 2024, CNU President Daniel A. Ariaso Sr. and Catmon Mayor Avis G.
Monleon signed a Memorandum of Agreement providing for the terms and conditions for the
establishment of the CNU-Catmon Campus at Barangay Panalipan, Municipality of Catmon,
Province of Cebu, subject to the favorable results of feasibility studies.

Catmon is a 4% class municipality in the province of Cebu, with a total population of
33,745 residing in its 20 barangays, and a total land area of 109.64 square kilometers as per the
2020 Philippine National Census. It is home to industries in need of technical instruction, such as
fruit farming, and nature tourism, among others.

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Establishing a CNU Campus in Catmon will greatly benefit the families of students living
in far-flung areas of the Province of Cebu. Not only will it provide savings in tuition and other
fees to the residents, but more importantly, it will fulfil the State’s policy to provide access to
quality tertiary education for all.

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

VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 11063

Introduced by Rep. Vincent Franco D. Frasco

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN EXTERNAL CAMPUS OF THE CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CATMON, PROVINCE OF CEBU, TO BE KNOWN AS
THE CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY - CATMON CAMPUS, 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 “Cebu Normal University —
‘Catmon Campus Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the declared policy of the State to establish,
maintain, and support a complete adequate and integrated system of higher education relevant to
the ever-changing needs of the people and society with primary focus on quality research and
development and higher education leading to medical, nursing, and healthcare programs.

The State recognizes that the education sector is an essential element for the attainment of
sustained national and local development and progress.

Therefore, the State shall establish, promote and support centers and programs leading to
the realization of this objective, such as scholarship programs, improvement of the quality of
education, popularization and sustainability of higher education programs directed towards the
development, promotion, and continual enhancements of the knowledge, competences, skills,
and potentials of the young populace and learners in various fields of specialization.

In the realization of the foregoing, the State shall also provide adequate resources in the
implementation and sustainability of higher education institutions (HEIs) campuses with
distinctive operational efficiency, effectiveness and productivity that develops, utilizes and
maintains state-of-the-art technologies and sound architecture infrastructures to ensure

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meaningful student experience and establishing conducive working environment to the officials,
faculty, non-teaching personnel, students and clients.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the CNU-Catmon Campu: There is hereby established an
external campus of the Cebu Normal University in the Municipality of Catmon, which shall be
known as “Cebu Normal University-Catmon Campus or CNU-CC.”

SEC. 4. General Mandate. - The CNU-Catmon Campus shall offer undergraduate and
graduate courses such as, but not limited to, education, tourism, science and technology,
agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), nautical, maritime education,
artificial intelligence, data management, special needs education, carly childhood, lifelong
learning, forestry, environmental protection and conservation, livelihood technology education,
criminology, foresight and futures management, real estate management, food technology
innovation and incubation, marine sciences, fishery, utilities and logistics, energy such, but not
limited to, renewable energy and petroleum engineering, disaster risk reduction and management,
and such programs within its areas of competency and specialization, pursuant to the mandates
of the CNU, and according to its capability, as the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as
the Board, may deem necessary for the accomplishment of its objectives, and those which
respond to the human resources development needs of the Province of Cebu and the Central
Visayas Region. It is also mandated to undertake research and extension services in support of
the socioeconomic development and to provide progressive leadership in these areas.

SEC. 5. Supervision and Management. - The University President shall have overall
supervision and management of the CNU-Catmon Campus. The Campus shall be headed by a
Campus Director who shall be appointed/designated by the Board, subject to its guidelines,
qualifications, and standards, and upon the recommendation of the Search Committee duly
constituted for the purpose of selecting the Campus Director: provided, That pending the
submission of the report by the Search Committee duly constituted by the Board, the University
President shall designate from among the faculty members or employees of the University to
serve as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Campus Director or in acting capacity subject to the
confirmation by the Board and applicable policies of the Civil Service Commission. Provided,
however, that in order to ensure smooth transition, the incumbent designated Campus Director of
CNU-Catmon Campus, if qualified, shall serve as the first Campus Director, subject to the
pertinent provisions of the University Code and policies promulgated by the Board.

The Campus Director shall be assisted by a Dean who shall be appointed or designated
with the duties and functions determined by the University President, subject to the confirmation
by the Board.

SEC. 6. Compliance with the Requirements of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED). — The CNU shall ensure compliance with of the CNU-Catmon Campus with the
policies, standards, and guidelines of the CHED for the operation of the campus, including those
related to the offering of courses and the introduction of the new or revised programs prior to the
effectivity of this Act.

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SEC. 7. Management of Personnel, Assets, Liabilities, and Records. — All assets, both
real and personal, personnel, and records of the CNU-Catmon Campus, as well as its liabilities or
obligations, shall be transferred to CNU. The positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty
members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the effectivity of this Act
shall be respected.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the CNU-Catmon Campus
shall be transferred to the CNU: Provided, that should the CNU-Catmon Campus or the CNU
cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed
by the CNU, the same shall revert to the local government concerned or the Republic of the
Philippines, as the case may be.

SEC. 8. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise
known as the “Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997”, shall form part of this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The Municipality of Catmon shall continue to provide assistance to the CNU-Catmon
Campus until such time that the amount necessary for the operation and maintenance of the
CNU-Catmon Campus shall be included in the annual GAA.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, shall issue rules and
regulations to implement its provisions.

SEC. 11, 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 are in full
force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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