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Republic of the Philippines [o}

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGR
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 11258

Introduced by Representative Edsel A. Galeos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution states 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.”

The value of education has been recognized by no less than the fundamental law of
our land, Access to quality education has been enshrined in our Constitution to ensure that it
shall always remain a policy consideration when the government determines laws, systems,
and plans.

Cebu Normal University currently has three campuses and two extension campuses.
As of 2023, it offers 32 programs across various disciplines. It is one of the leading institutions
nationwide and is known for upholding academic excellence. Both the students and faculty of
the university are actively involved in research. The university is also dedicated in engaging
with the local community to support regional development.

This measure seeks to establish a regular campus of the Cebu Normal University
located in the Municipality of Argao, Province of Cebu. The creation of a new campus will
significantly improve access to higher education, especially for the residents of the
Municipality of Argao and the surrounding areas. It will also enhance infrastructure, provide
additional resources for academic programs, and secure increased funding for other academic
endeavors such as research initiatives and extracurricular activities, benefiting both the
students and the faculty.

For the foregoing reasons, passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

EDSEL Al GALEOS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGR'
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._11258

Introduced by Representative Edsel A. Galeos

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING REGULAR CAMPUS OF THE CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF ARGAO, PROVINCE OF CEBU, TO BE KNOWN AS THE
CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY-ARGAO CAMPUS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SEC. |. Short Title. — This act shall be known as Cebu Normal University-Argao
‘Campus Act of 2025”.

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


SEC. 3, Establishment of the CNU-Argao Campus. ~ There is hereby established a
regular campus of Cebu Normal University in the Municipality of Argao, which shall be
known as the “Cebu Normal University- Argao Campus or CNU-ArC.”

SEC. 4, General Mandate. — The CNU-Argao Campus shall offer undergraduate and
graduate courses such as, but not limited to, education, tourism, science and technology,
information and communications technology (ICT), nautical, maritime education, artificial
intelligence, data management, special needs education, early childhood education, lifelong
leaming, forestry, environmental protection and conservation, livelihood technology
education, criminology, engineering, electronics and manufacturing, foresight and futures
management, real estate management, business and economics, 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. Furthermore, in order to maximize the quality of nursing, law and medical
programs and produce more leaders, professionals and educators therein, the CNU-Argao
Campus shall offer at least two-year curriculum for the BS in Nursing, Juris doctor and Doctor
of Medicine programs and the successful completers therein shall be allowed to continue and
graduate in the CNU Main Campus and/or such Campus of the University duly designated by
the Board, under the 2+2 model, subject to the requirements of the policies and standards
prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education and authorization by the Board of Regents
of the University.

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-Argao Campus. The Campus 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 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 the in order to ensure smooth transition, the incumbent
designated Campus Director of CNU-Argao 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 of the CNU-Argao 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 new or revised programs prior to the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Management of Personnel, Assets, Liabilities, and Records. ~ All assets,
both real and personal, personnel, and records of the CNU-Argao Campus, as well as its
liabilities or obligations, shall be transferred to the 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-Argao Campus
shall be transferred to the CNU: Provided, That should the CNU-Argao 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 unit concerned or the
Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.

SEC. 8. Suppletory Application. — The pro
otherwise known as the “Higher Education Modem
this Act.

ms of Republic Act No. 8292,
tion Act of 1997”, shall form part of

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

The Municipality of Argao shall continue to provide assistance to the CNU-Argao
Campus until such time that the amount necessary for the operation and maintenance of the
(CNU-Argao Campus shall be included of 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, 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 publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,