Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, _ _ 5596

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE ESTRELLITA “GING” B. SUANSING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Research and Development is a major driver for the Philippines to
become a knowledge and innovation center especially in the fields of
agriculture, fisheries and the natural resources (AFNR). Technologies in these
areas are recognized as major determinants of economic growth. ‘hey provide
the key to lifting the poorest out of poverty.

A strategic and sustained support with higher investment in science and
technology education is essential to develop effective leaders and a competent
scientific human resource base for realizing this vision. Higher educational
institutions, in particular the state universities and colleges (SUCs}, are
mandated to perform this critical function. Moreover, quality and excellence in
higher education entails quality research which is the lifeblood of tertiary
institutions. The ultimate measure of the credibility of an institution of higher
learning is based not only on the quality of its curricular programs but also on
its vital contribution to the advancement of science and technology, its
discoveries, research breakthroughs and patented inventions. Universities
institutions of higher learning should be places where change and progress
emanate. Hence, tertiary institutions must be schools of education and schools
of research. For this purpose, there is a need to enhance the capability of SUCs
by providing additional funding support to become more effective in performing
this function.

as

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) is one of the oldest state
universities in the country. From its establishment as a farm school in 1907, it
pioneered in agricultural higher education, Over the years, it has
metamorphosed into a model and leading general and comprehensive university
with specialization in agriculture, fisheries, agricultural engineering and
veterinary medicine having contributed significantly in manpower development,
knowledge generation and technology development in these fields. CLSU is

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recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Center of Excellence
(COE) in the aforementioned areas along with Biology and Teacher Education.
With its six COEs, CLSU has the most number among state universities and
colleges outside of the UP System. Additionally, CLSU is also designated as
National University College of Agriculture and Fisheries (NUCAF) under the
National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES) under the
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AMA).

It is a fact that the Philippines is very dependent on foreign technology
because of our weak research-innovation capability. The advent of globalization
has further exposed this vulnerability because many of our faculty researchers
have not been trained to create and develop technologies because of the lack of
an enabling environment such as inadequate infrastructure facilities and
equipment, and limited funding support for R&D.

According to the Global Competitiveness Ranking contained in the World
Economic Forum Report for 2014-2015, the Philippines ranked 75” among 144
countries in the area of Quality of Scientifie Research Institutions under the
Innovation Pillar, trailing Singapore (11%), Malaysia (20%), Indonesia (41), and
‘Thailand (61%, For the indicator on Availability of Scientists, our ranking of 71»
is lower than that of Malaysia (9%), Singapore (16%), Indonesia (319), and
Thailand (54%). In terms of Patent Applications, Singapore (1410), Malaysia (341)
and Thailand (69) outrank the Philippines with its ranking of 88.

Based on the above scenario, the need to further promote and develop
research capability among leading state universities is very urgent by providing,
world-class infrastructure facilities and equipment, where a critical mass of
S&T-enabled, educated and effective human resources are required through
graduate education, experimentation, and innovation,

With this proposed Act, it is envisioned that the Central Luzon State
University as the National (Prime) Agricultural University will be better
capacitated and more able to effectively integrate education, science and
innovation as a single concept and entity for agricultural progress and
development in the country.

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

EST! LITA “Ging” B. SUANSING

1s District, Nueva Eo

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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5 596

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE ESTRELLITA “GING” B. SUANSING

AN ACT
ENHANCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE CENTRAL LUZON STATE
UNIVERSITY TO BECOME A NATIONAL (PRIME) AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled.
SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Central Luzon
State University Agricultural Research Capability Enhancement Act.”

SEC.2, Declaration of Policy. ~ The Central Luzon State Univ
Itural Re

hereby declared as a National (Prime} Agr

The State shall promote, foster, nurture and protect the right of all
citizens to quality education. Toward this end, it is the policy of the State to
enhance the capability of the Central Luzon State University to become the
National (Prime) Agricultural Research University.

SEC.3. Purpose of the University. “The Central Luzon State University
shall develop globally competitive, work-ready, socially-responsible and
empowered human resources who value life-long learning; and to generate,

disseminate, and apply knowledge and technologies in agriculture, fisheries

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and natural resources for poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and

sustainable development. The University shall

a.

b.

d.

Create, develop and implement undergraduate and graduate
curricular programs which are compliant to national and
international standards;

Provide a teaching and learning environment that provides
opportunities for critical and analytical thinking, character
building, skills training, and leadership training where adequate

facilities and resou are available and acc

ble;
Promote a dynamic culture of research and other scholarly works

members and students;

among its faculty
Lead in the pursuit of new knowledge not only in the established
areas of inquiry but also in the rapidly advancing frontiers of
science and technology:

Establish and evolve interdisciplinary and collaborative research
capability as a comprehensive agricultural research university
providing an enabling environment that optimizes creativity and
productivity, and supports a vibrant cutting-edge research in the
new and emerging frontiers of science and technology that will spur

innovations and solutions to address national and global issues in

the fields of agriculture, fisheries and natural resources;

Develop new technologies, services, management schemes,

knowledge, information systems and best practices needed for
effective and efficient food security and safety, nutrition, health,

local governance, poverty alleviation, renewable energy systems,

environmental protection and conservation towards sustainable
development;

Establish diverse platforms that will lead the university to achieve
a distinction in research activities that will lead to the development
of enterprises that support public service and social responsibility
that will foster the economic prosperity of the region and the

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country, at the same time providing practical, enriching,
transformative and inclusive learning opportunities;

h. Develop and cultivate a dynamic, complementary and synergistic
partnership with international academic and research institutions,
and with the private sector and industry, in order to achieve trans-
national and global stature thus becoming a fully-engaged service
university; and

i, Pursue initiatives that will promote complementation and synergy,
where programmatic and physical interconnectivities are fully
achieved that will allow scholarly exchanges, formal and informal
interactions encompassing the entire scope of the academic

enterprise

a vibrant and thriving community fully connected
and engaged to the outside world in the spirit of a seamlessly

integrated academic community.

SEC.4. Academic Freedom. - The CLSU has the right and
responsibility to exercise academic freedom.

SEC.5. Academic Excellence. - The CLSU believes that the relentless
pursuit of quality and excellence constitutes the foundational element of its

existence.

SEC. 6. Inclusiveness and Stewardship. ~- The CLSU supports and
sustains an equitable community that will have access to the benefits of
education and dis

‘overy.

SEC, 7, Innovativeness and Creativity. ~ The CLSU considers research

as the lifeblood of the institution to be further nurtured and cultivated as it
provides the energy and dynamism in its quest to become a comprehensive

agricultural research university.

SEC.8. Commitment to Public Service. - The CLSU recogni that its

core purpose is to serve the interest of the people in Central Luzon, the
country and the Asian region through the creation, dissemination and

application of knowledge.

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SEC. 9. Capability Enhancement. - In order to become the National
(Prime) Agricultural Research University, CLSU must develop advanced
research and development centers (ARDC) in areas where the university has
the proven expertise and established credible track record, The areas of
enhancement are in the following: Human Resource Development;
Infrastructures and Facilities Development; Equipment Acquisition; and
Research and Devlopment.

These ARDCs are the following:

a. Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and
Development (CFARRD);

b. Small Ruminants Center (SRC);

c. Center for Climate Change and Environmental Management
(C3EM);

d. CLSU Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center and Analytical
Laboratory (CABAL);

e. Laboratory for Epidemiology and Animal Disease Diagnostics
(LEAD); and

f£ CLSU Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Center (CLSU Link
Center).

SEC. 10, Tax Exemptions. - Gifts and donations of real and personal
properties of all kinds shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same
shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the
donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue
Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, That the allowable deductions shall be
equivalent to 150 percent to the value of such donation. Valuation of
assistance other than money shall be based on the acquisition cost of the
property. Such valuation shall take into consideration the depreciated value
of property in case said property has been used.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The amount needed to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the lump sum

appropriation of the current fiscal year and other internal funds of the

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national (prime) agricultural research university. Thereafter, such lump sum
representing the responsibility of the national government for the continued
growth, operation maintenance of the national (prime) agricultural research
university shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The national (prime) agricultural research university may use
unexpended balances in any appropriation for purposes that the Board

determines.

In addition to the regular appropriations and increases for the
university under the annual GAA, an enhancement fund shall be
appropriated in the amount of Two Hundred Million Pesos
(P200,000,000.00) per year for a period of five years, which shall likewise be
included in the annual GAA.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other

provisions of this Act.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC, 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general

circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,

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