Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA
Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2929

Introduced by Honorable Isidro T. Ungab

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Davao Regional State University System by
integrating the University of Southeastern Philippines, the Davao del Norte
State College, the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology and
the Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of
Technology.

It is the policy of the state to promote establish, maintain, and support a
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of
the people and society. Pursuant thereto and to Section 2 of Republic Act No.
7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994” which seeks to
promote the right to accessible, equitable and quality education, the
government has developed and implemented programs on the merger of State
universities, and colleges (SUCs).

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has adopted its long-
term higher education plan strategies to rationalize higher education and
identified Davao Region as its pilot project to implement the same. Such
merger finds support from the Davao Regional Development Council XI.
Hence this bill.

Integrating the four universities into one regional state university is
aimed at reducing the number of SUCs in the country. In so doing, the
concentration of the budget for education will be best addressed and monitored.
The presence of one regional state university to focus the resources of the
government will result in a more efficient, reliable and competitive educational
institution to hone better students and dependable future generation,

In view of the foregoing, early approval of this bill is eamnestly sought.

SRO Ta INGAB

AQSEP 2013
ue Os Aw



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._2929

Introduced by Honorable Isidro T. Ungab

AN ACT

CREATING A REGIONAL STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN
DAVAO REGION TO BE KNOWN AS THE DAVAO REGIONAL
STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BY INTEGRATING THE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES, THE DAVAO
DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE, THE DAVAO ORIENTAL STATE
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE
SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AGRIBUSINESS AND MARINE AND
AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Davao
Regional State University System Charter."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall promote, foster,
nurture and protect the right to accessible, equitable and quality education.
Toward this end, the State shall integrate higher educational institutions to
build greater synergy among them, to enhance their academic performance
and mission, to democratize access to affordable quality education and to
create a greater critical mass for stronger efficiency and effectiveness in
operations. Integration shall promote fiscal efficiency and a broad spectrum
of academic, research, extension and production services responsive to the
development needs of the region and the nation. Through a refocused
institutional culture and improved governance, the integrated Davao
Regional State University System shall aim to become the State’s main

higher education provider in the region.


SEC. 3. Creation of the Davao Regional State University System. -
There is hereby created a Regional State University System in Davao Region
to be known as the Davao Regional State University System hereinafter
referred to as Regional University System by integrating the University of
Southeastern Philippines established pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 12,
the Davao Del Norte State College created pursuant to Republic Act No.
7879, the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology
established pursuant to Republic Act No. 6807, and the Southern Philippines
Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology established
pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 148, herein referred to as the Constituent
Units (CUs), Every Constituent Unit of the Regional University System
shall be autonomous in fiscal management.

On account of its extensive geographical coverage and strategic role
in the establishment of the Regional University System, the University of
Southeastern Philippines shall serve as the seat of administration of the
Regional University System. It shall be composed of two constituent units,
namely: (1) the Obrero and Mintal Campus and (2) the Tagum-Mabini
Campus. The Bislig Campus located in the Caraga Region shall, at the
expressed option of the constituencies of the academic unit, either be
incorporated into a future amalgamated university system in Northern
Mindanao that may be created or be annexed as an external campus of the
most contiguous State college in the region.

SEC. 4. General Mandate. - The Regional University System shall
provide a unified corporate structure to guarantee common academic
standards and institutional identity. It shall foster complete unity and deep
collaboration among constituent units towards the following strategic goals:

a. To create greater critical mass and economies of scale that will
enable the University System to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness;

b. To build greater synergy among the CUs to improve the Regional
University System’s academic portfolio, boost academic performance to
higher levels and enhance teaching quality in more diverse academic

disciplines;


c. To utilize governance structures more effectively by having a
single governing board that can better focus on responding to development
needs and combining disconnected academic and non-academic functions
that can create additional capacity for other appropriate pursuits; and

d. To ensure equitable allocation of all financial, human, logistical
resources among CUs and programs.

SEC. 5. Administration. - The Regional University System shall
have the general powers of a corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Ble.
68, as amended, otherwise known as “The Corporation Code of the
Philippines.” The administration of the University System and the exercise
of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents.

SEC. 6. Governing Board. — The Governing Board of the Regional
University System shall be the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as
the Board, which shall be composed of the following:

a. The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) or representative, as Chairperson;

b. The President of the Regional University System, as Vice-

Chairperson;

Cc The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and
Culture of the Senate;

d. The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical
Education of the House of Representatives;

e. The Regional Director of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA);

fi The Regional Director of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST);

g. The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA);

h. The President of the federation of faculty associations of the
Regional University System;

iis The President of the federation of student governments of the

Regional University System;


j. The President of the federation of alumni associations of the
Regional University System; and

k. Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have
distinguished themselves in their profession or fields of specialization and
are active in the dominant industries in the region that are directly relevant to
the university’s need and external affairs, as members.

The Board of Regents shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens
from among the list of at least five (5) qualified persons who are residents of
the Davao Region, as recommended by the search committee constituted by
the Regional University System President, in consultation with the other
members of the Board, based on the normal standards and qualifications for
the position.

The term of office of the president of the federation of faculty
associations, the president of the federation of student councils, and the
president of the federation of alumni associations shall be co-terminus with
their respective terms of office, as set forth in their respective constitutions
and by-laws.

The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years
from the date of their appointment.

SEC. 7. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. — The Board
shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared
State policies on education, including those stated in Section 2 hereof, and
other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education,
agriculture, science and technology.

SEC. 8. Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents, — The Board
shall have the following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general
powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the
board of directors of a corporation under existing laws:

a) Promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the Regional University
System;


b) Receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the
support of the Regional University System in the manner it may determine
in its discretion, in order to carry out the purposes and functions of the
Regional University System;

c) Import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books or
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such books are for
economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or
cultural purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and
Customs Code, as amended;

d) Receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal
properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when
necessary for the benefit of the Regional University System, and subject to
the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any.

Such donations shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same
shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended:
Provided, That such donations shall not be disposed of, transferred or sold;

e) _ Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as,
but not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as
the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the
involved sectors. Such fees and charges shall, including government
subsidies and other income generated by the Regional University System,
constitute special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized
government depository bank, and all interests that shall accrue therefrom
shall form part of the same funds for the use of the Regional University
System.

Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary
notwithstanding, all income generated by the Regional University System
from tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of
auxiliary services and land grants, shall be retained by the constituent units
of the Regional University System, and may be disbursed by the Board for

instruction, research, extension or other programs or projects of the


university: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the
specific purposes for which these are collected.

If, for reasons beyond its control, the Regional University System
shall not be able to pursue any project for which the funds have been
appropriated and allocated under its approved program of expenditures, the
Board may authorize the use of said funds for any reasonable purpose which,
in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the
objectives and goals of the Regional University System;

f) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other
school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students;

g) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery,
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real
property, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment;

h) Designate, upon recommendation of the President of the Regional
University System, the vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of
departments, head of campus, faculty members, and other officials and
employees of the university;

i) Fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative
officials and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised
Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent budget
and compensation laws governing hours of service, and such other duties
and conditions as it may deem proper; grant them, at its discretion, leaves of
absence under such regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of
existing law to the contrary notwithstanding; and remove them for cause in
accordance with the requirements of due process of law;

j) Approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of
discipline drawn by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein
provided;

k) Set policies on the minimum system-wide requirements for

admission, graduation of students and grant of honors;


1) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their
outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts,
science and technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization within
the academic competence of the Regional University System: Provided,
That such degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment,
gift or other valuable consideration;

m) Establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions and
establish campuses, branches and centers within the Davao Region in
coordination with the CHED, and in consultation with the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) and offer therein programs or courses, to
promote and carry out equal access to educational opportunities as mandated
by the Constitution: Provided, That any future higher education institution
that will be established within the region may be automatically integrated as
a component unit of the Davao Regional State University System, as may be
determined by the Board;

n) Establish research and extension centers of the Regional
University System where such will promote the development of the latter;

©) Establish professorial chairs in the Regional University System
and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to
deserving students;

p) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the president or other
officials of the Regional University System, as it may deem appropriate, so
as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the Regional University
System;

q) Authorize an external management audit of the Regional
University System, subject to the rules and regulation of the Commission on
Audit (COA) and institute reforms, including academic and structural
changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;

1) Collaborate with other governing boards of the State colleges and
universities as well as with private colleges and universities in working
towards the development of the Regional University System to become more

efficient, relevant, productive and competitive;


s) Enter into joint ventures, which may be initiated by the CUs, with
business and industry for the profitable development and management of the
economic assets of the Regional University System, including land grants,
the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and strengthening
of the Regional University System;

t) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local
government units (LGUs), as well as public and private institutions and
agencies, local and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives
of the Regional University System;

u) Develop academic arrangements for institution-capability
building with appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local
and foreign, and appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time or
visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;

v) Set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of
transmitting knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual
system, open learning or distance education and community laboratory for
the promotion of greater access to education;

w) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative
decision-making and transparency within the Regional University System;

x) Privatize, where most advantageous to the Regional University
System, the management of non-academic services such as health, food,
building or grounds or property maintenance and such other similar
activities;

y) Extend the term beyond the age of retirement but not beyond the
age of seventy (70) of the Regional University System President whose
performance has been unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding, based
on the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board, after
unanimous recommendation by the Performance Evaluation Committee
(PEC); and

z) Reconstitute or create additional constituent units of the Regional

University System as may be relevant at a future time.


SEC. 9. Meetings of the Board. — The Board of Regents of the
Regional University System shall regularly convene at least once every
quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days
prior written notice, call a maximum of four (4) special meetings within a
year, whenever necessary.

All regular meetings of the Board shall be held in either the main
campus or in any of the constituent units as may be determined by the
Regional University System President in consultation with the chancellor,
except for certain meritorious and expedient reasons where special meetings
may be held in venues outside the Region.

A quorum of the Board of Regents shall consist of a majority of all its
members holding office at the time of the meeting: Provided, That the
Chairperson of the Board or the Regional University System President is
among those present in the meeting.

In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a duly designated

Commissioner of the CHED shall represent the Chairperson in the meeting

with all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided,
however, That during this meeting, the Regional University System
President as Vice-Chairperson shall be the presiding officer: Provided,
further, That this proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is
hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair
of the Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the
presiding officer.

In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on
Education shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly
designate to attend the said meeting their respective representatives who
shall have the same rights and responsibilities as a regular member of the
Board.

The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be
entitled to reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either
in their attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other
official business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing

laws and regulations.


SEC. 10. Regional University System President. — The Regional
University System shall be headed by a full-time president who shall be
appointed by the Board subject to the guidelines, qualifications and
standards set by the Board and upon recommendation of a duly constituted
search committee. The Regional University System President shall have a
term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another
term.

In case of vacancy in the office of the Regional University System
President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal
for cause or incapacity to perform the functions of the office, the Board shall
have the authority to designate an officer-in-charge of the Regional
University System within six (6) months from date of vacancy, pending the
appointment of a new Regional University System President. The Regional
University System President appointed by the Board after the occurrence of
any of the aforementioned events shall serve the unexpired portion of the
term, subject to re-appointment for another term if warranted.

The powers and duties of the President of the Regional University
System, in addition to those specifically provided in this Act, shall be those
usually pertaining to the office of the President of similar universities.

‘The salary of the Regional University System President shall be in
accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification
System and shall be comparable to that being received by the Presidents of
similar educational institutions.

SEC. 11. Vice-President. — The Regional University System President
shall be assisted by a vice president for academic affairs, a vice president for
administration and finance and a vice president for research and extension
and development, and such other vice presidents as may be determined by
the Board. They shall be designated by the Board, upon the
recommendation of the Regional University System President. They shall
serve as staff and may assume line functions upon the direction of the

University System President.


SEC. 12. Chancellor of the Constituent Units. — The administration
of each Constituent Units (CUs) is vested in the Chancellor subject to the
limitations as may be imposed by the Board. The Chancellors shall be
designated by the Board, upon the recommendation of the duly constituted
search committee, subject to the guidelines, qualifications or standards set
by the Board.

The Chancellors shall report to the Regional University System
President, and shall perform the duties and functions that are essential or
necessary for the proper and convenient administration and transaction of
the business and affairs of their respective CUs, subject to the policies and
rules prescribed by the Board. The Board shall determine the term and
compensation of the Chancellor.

SEC. 13. Secretary of the University and of the Board. — There shall
be a Secretary of the Regional University System appointed by the Board,
who shall also be the Secretary of the Board in all its meetings, and who
shall keep such records of the University as may be designated by the Board.

SEC. 14. Executive Administrative Council. — There shall be a
system-wide administrative council headed by the Regional University
System President, with membership consisting of the vice-president for
administration and finance, chancellors and heads of the council of deans
and other officials as may be deemed necessary by the Board. The
Executive Administrative Council shall set the direction and administrative
policies on a system-wide basis and shall perform oversight functions on
administrative matters.

SEC. 15, Administrative Council. - There shall be an administrative
council in each CU in the Regional University System with a chancellor as
Chairman, the deans and directors of equal rank within the constituent unit
as members. The Administrative Council shall formulate and recommend
plans, programs and policies for administration, finance and production for
approval by the Board.

The president of the pertinent student association of each CU may be

allowed to attend the meetings of the Administrative Council as an observer.


SEC. 16. Academic Senate. — There shall be a system-wide
Academic Senate with the Regional University System President as
chairperson, the vice-presidents, chancellors, deans and all faculty members
with an academic rank of full Professors as members: Provided, That when
a certain CU is not duly and amply represented, the Academic Council of
said CUs shall elect their representatives, the number of which shall not be
more than ten percent (10%) of its faculty strength: Provided, further, That
the said CU’s representatives shall be members of the Academic Council.

SEC. 17. Powers of the Academic Senate. — The Academic Senate is
the supreme academic advisory body in the Regional University System and
shall be responsible for the following functions:

a. Set a system-wide academic policies and minimum academic
standards;

b. Perform oversight functions on all academic matters pertaining
to the Regional University System and its programming;

c. Formulate, evaluate, and recommend to the Regional University
System President policies and procedures which pertain to the development,
maintenance, and improvement of the Regional University System program
in academic matters;

d. Adopt internal rules or procedures consistent with the
provisions of this Act; and

eG Perform other corollary functions inherent to its functions.

SEC, 18, Academic Council. — There shall be in each CU an
Academic Council consisting of the CU chancellor as chairperson and of all
the faculty members in the CU holding the rank of assistant professor and
higher as members.

SEC. 19. Powers of the Academic Council, — The Academic Council
shall be the highest academic body of each CU and shall exercise the
following powers within the jurisdictional confines of such CU:

a. Fix the requirement for admission to any college or unit or any
academic program or course offering and for graduation and conferment of a
degree, and the grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide

requirements;


b. Prescribe the academic programs including their institution,
revision, abolition, and merger, subject to the approval of the Board;

C. Recommend to the Board the graduation of students and the
grant of honors;

d. Undertake a periodic review of academic courses, programs,
standards, thrusts and policies;

e. Adopt the necessary measures to enable students to exercise
their established religious beliefs consistent with the accepted norms and
morals of society. Students shall be given options to fulfill their academic
responsibilities, such as, but not limited to, make-up classes or examinations
on missed school days or examinations which coincided with the exercise of
their established religious beliefs;

f. Adopt internal rules or procedures consistent with the
provisions of this Act; and

g. Perform other corollary functions inherent to its functions.

SEC. 20. Research, Extension and Enterprise Development (REED)
Regional University System Council. — There shall be a REED Regional
University System Council which shall perform oversight functions and
provide direction on REED matters system wide. The REED Regional
University System Council shall be headed by the Regional University
System President, with the Chairpersons of the CU REED Councils as
members.

SEC. 21. Research, Extension and Enterprise Development Council
(REED Council) in CUs. — There shall be in each CU a REED Council
which shall formulate and craft research, extension, and enterprise
development policies, programs and plans for CU-based implementation
upon approval by the Board. The REED Council shall be chaired by the
CU’s Chancellor, the deans and the directors, and the CU’s active
researchers and extension personnel with the academic rank of associate

professor or higher as its members.


SEC. 22. Faculty. — No political beliefs, gender preference, physical
disability, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious
opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of
faculty members of the Regional University System: Provided, That the
appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards
set by the Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall
teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.

SEC. 23. Scholarship Program or Admission. — The Regional
University System shall provide a scholarship program and other affirmative
action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for
admission to the Regional University System.

No student shall be denied admission to the Regional University
System by reason of age, gender, religion, political beliefs, cultural or
community affiliation or ethnic origin.

SEC. 24. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. — The
Regional University System shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional
autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987
Constitution.

SEC. 25. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. — All assets, real and
personal, personnel and records of all the CUs, as well as liabilities or
obligations, are hereby transferred to the Regional University System:
Provided, That the utilization of the assets shall be retained by the respective
CUs. The positions, rights and security of tenure of the faculty members and
personnel employed in each of the CUs under existing laws prior to this Act
shall be respected.

All assets donated to the respective CUs under its former juridical
personality shall be deemed donated to and hence a property of the new

Regional University System as a duly constituted body or juridical entity.


SEC. 26. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriations of the University of Southeastern Philippines, the Davao del
Norte State College, the Davao Oriental State College of Science and
Technology, and the Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and
‘Aquatic School of Technology and the funding provided by the local
government units where these State university and colleges are located.

In addition, the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(G100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the establishment of the
Davao Regional University System. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the Regional
University System shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 27. Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the Regional
University System. —

The State shall provide support to the Regional University System in
the form of lump sum amount, through general appropriations and other
financial benefits, and in kind, through land grants and donations and use of
other real properties. To carry out the intent of these grants, income derived
from the development of all land grants and real properties acquired by the
Regional University System shall be used to further the ends of the Regional
University System, as may be decided by the Board.

‘The Board shall plan, design, approve or cause the implementation of
financial mechanisms, such as joint ventures and long-term leases, to give
the Regional University System the most advantageous position in
generating revenues and other resources from the land grants and other real
property entrusted by the Filipino people: Provided, That such long-term
leases shall not conflict with the Regional University System’s academic
mission, as well as, sustain and protect the environment: Provided, further,
That the plans shall preserve the academic core zone of each constituent
university concerned: Provided, finally, That funds generated from the long-
term leases shall not be meant to replace, in whole or in part, the annual
appropriation provided by the national government to the Regional

University System.


SEC. 28. Tax Exemptions, — The provision of any general or special
law to the contrary notwithstanding:

a. All revenues and assets of the Regional University System used
actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt
from all taxes and duties;

b. Gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds
shall be exempt from the donors’ 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, as amended;

c Importation of economic, technical, vocational, scientific,
philosophical, historical and cultural books, supplies, equipment, machinery
and other materials, including scientific and educational computer and
software equipment, shall be exempt from customs duties; and

d. _ The Regional University System shall be exempt from payment
of value-added tax on its transactions which are primarily and directly
undertaken for educational purposes.

SEC. 29. Development Plan, Management Audit. — Within one
hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the Regional
University System shall accomplish the following:

a) Submit a medium term development plan, including its
corresponding program budget to CHED, for corresponding
recommendation to the Department of Budget and Management;

b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED; and

c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative, as well as,
academic structure, including the appointment of the Regional University
System key officials.

SEC. 30. Transitory Provisions. —

a. Budget — Each CU shall retain its budget from the national
government through the General Appropriations Act. ‘The internally-
generated income of each CU shall also be used by the CU itself. Each CU
shall constitute and formulate its own resource generation mechanism and
the operational policies and implementation scheme shall be approved by the

respective CU’s Administrative Council.


b. Transitory President — In order to effect a smooth transition to a
Regional University System, the incumbent President of the University of
Southeastern Philippines shall serve as the first President of the Regional
University System for two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act or until
the expiration of the current term of office of the incumbent, whichever is
longer.

c. Transitory Chancellors — The incumbent Presidents of the State
university and colleges being integrated shall serve as transitory chancellors
of the respective CUs for two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act or
until the expiration of the current term of office of the incumbent, whichever
is longer.

d. Transitory Faculty Regent — The incumbent faculty trustees or
regents, as the case may be, shall choose from among themselves who shall
be the transitory Faculty Regent for the Regional University System. The
term of the transitory Faculty Regent shall be until such time that a Faculty
Regent shall have been duly elected by the new faculty federation of the
Regional University System.

e. Transitory Student Regent — The incumbent student trustees or
regents, as the case may be, of the integrated state university and colleges
shall choose from among themselves who shall be the Transitory Student
Regent for the Regional University System. The term of transitory Student
Regent shall be until such time that a Student Regent shall have been duly
elected by the new student federation of the Regional University System.

if Transitory Alumni Regent — The incumbent alumni trustees or
regents, as the case may be, of the integrated state university and colleges
shall choose from among themselyes who shall be the transitory Alumni
Regent for the Regional University System. The term of the transitory
Alumni Regent shall be until such time that an Alumni Regent shall have
been duly elected by the new alumni federation of the Regional University

System.


g. Budget for the transitory system-wide administration — The first
year of implementation of the system-wide administration of the Regional
University System shall be provided for by the CHED, specifically on

complementation and consortium activities or programs, until the budgetary
requirement shall have been incorporated into the general budget of the
Regional University System.

SEC. 31. 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 serve as part of the
governing charter of the Regional University System.

SEC. 32. Parity Clause. — All other powers, functions and privileges,
responsibilities and limitations granted to, or imposed upon state universities
and their officials under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed
upon the Regional University System and its officials whenever appropriate.

SEC. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within a period of
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board of the Regional
University System shall, in collaboration with the Commission on Higher
Education, promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 34. 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 thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 36. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,