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Republic of the Philippines ey
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

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Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _5885_

Introduced by Hon. Cyrille “Beng” F. Abueg-Zaldivar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was previously filed by Representative Frederick F. Abueg as House
Bill (H.B.) No. 4745 in the 16% Congress. It was again filed as H.B. No. 204 during the
17% Congress wherein it was substituted as H.B. No. 9098. As such it was approved on
its Third Reading by the House of Representatives on May 27, 2019 and transmitted to
the Senate of the Philippines on May 28, 2019.

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7818 for the purpose of
strengthening the administrative supervision of the Palawan State University (PSU)
over PSU-Local Government Unit-College of Community Resource Development
(PSU-LGU-CCRD) campuses and providing for the latter’s integration with the PSU
Main Campus at Puerto Princesa City, Province of Palawan.

PSU started as Palawan Teachers’ College (PTC) in 1972. In 1984, PTC was
converted into Palawan State College (PSC). In 1994, PSC became PSU. Through the
years, PSU has made significant contributions to the human and non-human resource
development in Palawan by pursuing its mandate in instruction, research, extension and
production. PSU has earned an excellent reputation and garnered various
commendations as an outstanding academic institution.

From 1984 to 1992, PSU embarked on the operation of Development High
Schools at a time when access to secondary education was quite difficult for the rural
youth in Palawan. Later, PSU phased down these high schools in order to focus on
tertiary education as directed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). In
response to the request of the LGUs to establish campuses in their respective
jurisdictions, PSU subsequently changed its high schools into tertiary education
institutions. To date, twenty (20) CCRDs are operating in Palawan.



The operation of each CCRD is governed by a Memorandum of Agreement
entered into by the LGU, the Parent Teacher Council (PTC) of the town and PSU. The
LGU provides the infrastructure and extends funding for the salaries of faculty and staff.
The PTC collects school fees and uses these funds to help meet operations expenses and
acquisition of facilities. PSU manages the CCRD and provides the faculty and non-
teaching staff for these centers.

Through the years, the student population and operation costs of the CCRDs have
steadily increased. The total financial assistance provided by LGUs has likewise
climbed from about P500,000.00 in the early stages of the centers to almost
P10,000,000.00 at present. The PTCs have been charging enrollees amounts ranging
from P8,000.00 to P12,000.00 per year. On account of these funding requirements, most
of the LGUs in recent years have been trying to scale down their support or to withdraw
assistance, while the parents, all of whom come from the depressed areas and low-
income households, have been clamoring for lower school fees.

Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates 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.” In consonance with this
mandate, CHED has been continuously adopting means to provide the youth with
affordable, accessible, relevant and quality tertiary education. Aligned with CHED,
PSU has nurtured and operated the CCRDs which to date have already served no less
than 20,000 rural youths.

Thus, to continue providing access and quality tertiary education to the rural
youth in Palawan, this bill intends to secure adequate and automatic funding for these
CCRDs from the national government and to strengthen the administrative supervision
of PSU over the same in order to achieve maximum results. These amendments to the
law are imperative because maintaining status quo would in effect deprive a significant
number of rural youths the opportunity to pursue tertiary education.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

apni,
CYRILLE wal 80cc-2atpian

Representative, 2™ District of Palawan


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5885

Introduced by Hon. Cyrille “Beng” F. Abueg-Zaldivar

AN ACT
INTEGRATING THE PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF
COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (PSU-CCRD) EXTERNAL
CAMPUSES IN THE PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AND IN THE CITY OF
PUERTO PRINCESA AS REGULAR CAMPUSES OF THE PALAWAN STATE
UNIVERSITY (PSU), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO.7818, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 7818, otherwise known as the "Palawan
State University Charter", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION. 1 XXX

THE PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (PSU-CCRD) EXTERNAL CAMPUSES IN THE
PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AND IN THE CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA,
NAMELY, PSU-NARRA, PSU-QUEZON, PSU-BROOKE'S POINT, PSU-ROXAS,
PSU-TAYTAY, AND PSU-CORON CAMPUSES, SHALL BE INTEGRATED AS
REGULAR CAMPUSES OF THE PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE PSU-CCRD EXTERNAL CAMPUSES IN THE PROVINCE OF
PALAWAN AND IN THE CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA, NAMELY, PSU-
ESPANOLA, PSU-RIZAL, PSU-BATARAZA, PSU-BALABAC, PSU-DUMARAN,
PSU-SAN VICENTE, PSU LINAPACAN, AND OTHER BRANCHES SHALL BE
INTEGRATED AS REGULAR BRANCHES OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THE PSU MAIN CAMPUS, THE PSU-CUYO CAMPUS (FORMERLY
PALAWAN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND TRADE) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF

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CUYO, PALAWAN, WHICH WAS INTEGRATED INTO THE MAIN CAMPUS,
AND THE REGULAR CAMPUSES AND TECHNOLOGY BRANCHES OF PSU
ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO
AS THE UNIVERSITY."

SEC 2. Section 3 of RA No. 7818 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. The University shall CONTINUE TO offer ITS PRESENT
undergraduate and graduate [courses] CURRICULAR OFFERINGS in the fields of
education, arts and sciences, and other degree courses as the B[bJoard of R[rlegents,
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE BOARD, may deem necessary IN
ORDER THAT IT CAN EFFECTIVELY [to] carry out its objectives [\],
CONSISTENT WITH LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GOALS. It shall also CONTINUE TO offer [opportunity in] short-term technical-
vocational courses within its areas of specialization to meet the needs of the nation."

SEC. 3. Section 4 of RA No. 7818 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4, The University shall have the general powers of a corporation set forth
in the corporation law. The administration of the University and the exercise of its
corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the [b]Board and the [p]President of
the University, [insofar] as authorized by the [b]Board

EACH REGULAR CAMPUS SHALL BE HEADED BY AN
ADMINISTRATOR, WHO SHALL RENDER FULL-TIME SERVICE. THE
ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD UPON THE
RECOMMENDATION OF A DULY CONSTITUTED SEARCH COMMITTEE
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY, SUBJECT TO THE
GUIDELINES, QUALIFICATIONS, AND STANDARDS SET BY THE BOARD.
THE ADMINISTRATOR SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF FOUR (4) YEARS
AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT FOR ANOTHER TERM.

IN CASE OF VACANCY BY REASON OF DEATH, RESIGNATION,
REMOVAL FOR CAUSE, OR THE INCAPACITY OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE, THE BOARD
MAY DESIGNATE AN OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE CAMPUS PENDING
THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW ADMINISTRATOR. THE OFFICER-IN-
CHARGE OR THE SUCCESSOR SHALL SERVE ONLY DURING THE
UNEXPIRED PORTION OF THE TERM."


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SEC. 4. Section 9 of RA No. 7818 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 9. The University shall be headed by a president to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Board and shall hold office
for a term of [six (6)] FOUR (4) years, [without reappointment] SUBJECT TO
REAPPOINTMENT FOR ONE (1) MORE TERM unless THE PRESIDENT reaches
the MANDATORY age of retirement or earlier removed for cause, or IS incapacitated
to discharge the duties of the office: PROVIDED, THAT THE CURRENT
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SHALL CONTINUE TO HOLD OFFICE FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE TERM, UNLESS REAPPOINTED OR IS SOONER
REMOVED FOR CAUSE, OR IS INCAPACITATED TO DISCHARGE THE
DUTIES OF THE OFFICE, OR HAS REACHED THE MANDATORY
RETIREMENT AGE.

In case of a vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death,
resignation, incapacity of the President to perform the functions of [his] THE office,
or removal for cause, the Board [shall have the authority to] MAY designate an
[o]Officer-in-{c]Charge of the University pending the appointment of a successor. The
new President shall hold office for the unexpired PORTION OF THE term OF THE
PREVIOUS PRESIDENT, but in no case shall [his] THE term be more than [six (6)]
FOUR (4) years subject to the provisions of [the preceding paragraph] EXISTING
LAWS."

SEC. 5. Section 20 of RA No. 7818 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 20. The heads of bureaus and offices of the national government are
hereby authorized to loan or transfer TO THE UNIVERSITY OR ITS CAMPUSES,
upon request of the President of the University, such apparatus, equipment, or supplies
as may be needed by the University OR ITS CAMPUSES 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 the public service. The employee 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 service.”

SEC. 6. A new Section after Section 21 is hereby inserted as Sec. 21-A to read as
follows:


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"SEC. 21-A. THE UNIVERSITY IS HEREBY DESIGNATED AS THE
NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR PETROLEUM AND RENEWABLE
ENERGY. AS SUCH, THE UNIVERSITY, IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS PROVIDED FOR IN ITS CHARTER, SHALL :

a, PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY;
b. DEVELOP DATABASE FOR PETROLEUM AND ENERGY SECTORS TO
SERVE AS RESOURCE TO THE COUNTRY’S POLICY MAKERS;

c. CONDUCT RESEARCHES, CASE STUDIES, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE
STEPS FOR THE CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT OF PETROLEUM AND.
ENERGY INDUSTRIES; AND

d. PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE LEGISLATORS IN THE ANALYSIS AND
FORMULATION OF POLICIES CONCERNING ENERGY AND ISSUES
AFFECTING PETROLEUM.

SEC. 7. Section 22 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 22. All the assets, fixed and movable, records, and personnel of [the
Palawan State College,] ALL EXISTING PSU CAMPUSES IN THE SOUTHERN
PART OF PALAWAN AND IN OTHER BRANCHES THAT MAY BE.
ESTABLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY, as well as [THEIR] liabilities or obligations,
are hereby transferred to the University: Provided, however, that the positions, rights,
and security of tenure of faculty and staff members employed therein under existing
laws prior to [absorption by the university] INTEGRATION OF THE PSU-CCRD
EXTERNAL CAMPUSES AS REGULAR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES [are] SHALL
not BE impaired: Provided further, That the [incumbent of the positions shall remain
in the same status until otherwise provided for by the Board] PRESENT SUPPORT OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) TO THE EXISTING PSU-CCRDS SHALL
NOT BE ABRIDGED. All parcels of land belonging to the government AND occupied
by the [Palawan State College] UNIVERSITY AND ITS EXISTING CAMPUSES
AND PSU-CCRD EXTERNAL CAMPUSES are hereby declared to be the property of
the [Palawan State] University and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That
should the University cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of
aforementioned be no longer needed by the University CAMPUSES, the same shall
revert to the [Province of Palawan] MUNICIPALITY OR CITY WHICH HAS
JURISDICTION OVER THE SAME."

SEC. 8. Section 23 of RA No. 7818 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 23. The amount necessary [for the] TO CARRY OUT THE INITIAL
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s [appropriations
of the Palawan State College. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its

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operation and maintenance shall be] FUNDING BY THE PSU-CCRD EXTERNAL
CAMPUSES PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY, THE PROVINCE OF
PALAWAN AND THE CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA SHALL CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE THE SAME ASSISTANCE UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE FULL
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS OF THE PSU MAIN CAMPUS AND ALL THE
UNIVERSITY BRANCHES ARE included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT EACH PSU-CCRD EXTERNAL CAMPUS
SHALL BE ALLOCATED ITS OWN BUDGET FOR EVERY FISCAL YEAR, AND
RELEASE OF THE SAME SHALL BE MADE DIRECTLY TO EACH SUCH
CAMPUS, SUBJECT TO AUDITING RULES AND REGULATIONS. "

SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,