NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. J-628
Strtatf
*22 DEC 20 PI 50
RtC£iV£D 3”; 
/ V_____
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENTREPRENEURS' 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
ACADEMY, AND
In a research conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies 
(PIDS), low rate of business entry, low productivity and failure to grow are among the 
challenges needed to be hurdled by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 
in the country. Despite being the backbone of the economy, the country is yet to fully 
realize the potential of the MSMES for productivity and job creations.
Almost two-thirds of the present work force in the country is employed in the 
MSME sector. The MSMEs could provide a solution to the unemployment in the country 
and a platform for countryside development. By cultivating the culture of 
entrepreneurship through an institute directly catering to its curriculum and training, 
the growth of the MSMEs are taken in the right direction.
This proposed measure aims to establish the Philippine Entrepreneurship 
Academy - a higher educational institution which shall provide training and programs 
in order to enhance the core competencies in entrepreneurship. It shall formalize and 
integrate the non-formal entrepreneurship program and short courses offered by the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other 
government agencies under one school system.
In recognition of the vital role of the MSMEs in our economy, early passage of 
this bill is sought.
RAMONvBONG REVILLA, JR.jA


^l‘Ua«C
of the ffi. ::eIiH7'
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
'71 DEC 20 P1/-50
SENATE
s. No. 1628
RtCElVbD
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENTREPRENEURS' ACADEMY, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Entrepreneurs
2 
Academy Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Establishment of the Academy. - There is hereby established a learning
4 
institution under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to
5 
be known as the "Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy", hereinafter referred to as the
6 
Academy.
7 
Sec. 3. General Mandate. - The Academy shall provide undergraduate and
8 
graduate degree programs, short-term technical-vocational non degree courses and
9 
modular training that will enhance the core competencies of individuals
10 
on entrepreneurship. It shall also promote the relevance of entrepreneurship to job
11 
generation and its significant role to the sustainable economic growth of the country.
12 
The Academy shall formalize and integrate, under a school system, the nonformal
13 
entrepreneurship programs and short-term technical-vocational courses of the
14 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade
15 
and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST)/ and other
16 
government agencies. It shall also administer education and consultancy, and
17 
supervise publication on entrepreneurship. It shall also conduct scientific and policy-
18 
oriented research and training.


1 
Sec. 4. Curricular Offerings. - The Academy shall offer undergraduate and
2 
graduate degree programs and short-term diploma or certificate courses on
3 
entrepreneurship, including entrepreneurship development in the fields of agriculture,
4 
trade, technology, and the manufacturing sector. The curriculum and modules of the
5 
programs shall be designed and developed following the competency-based
6 
curriculum model, and in accordance with the mandate of this Act.
7 
Sec. 5. School Sites. - The Academy shall have two (2) campuses, with the
8 
main campus to be established in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone
9 
located in the Provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, to be known as the Entrepreneurs
10 
Academy-Clark Campus. The other campus shall be located in the City of Baguio, to
11 
be known as the Entrepreneurs Academy-Baguio City Campus. Other campuses
12 
may be established upon approval of the Governing Board.
13 
Sec. 6. Governing Board. - The governing board of the Academy shall be the
14 
Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired and
15 
co-chaired by the Chairperson of the CHED, and the President of the Academy,
16 
respectively, with the following as members:
17 
a. Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education
18 
of the Senate;
19 
b. Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House
20 
of Representatives;
21 
c. 
Director General of the TESDA;
22 
d. 
Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);
23 
e. 
Secretary of the DOST;
24 
f. 
Secretary of the DTI;
25 
g. 
President of the Federation of Faculty Associations of the Academy;
26 
h. 
President of the Federation of Student Councils of the Academy;
27 
i. 
President of the Federation of Alumni Associations of the Academy; and
28 
j. Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
29 
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. The members of the Board
30 
shall not receive any compensation or remuneration for their services as such, but
31 
may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in discharging the
32 
business of the Academy.


1 
Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall be the highest policy
2 
making body of the Academy. In addition to its general powers of administration and
3 
the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of a corporation under existing
4 
laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers and duties:
5 
a. Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State
6 
policies and pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, as well
7 
as policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise
8 
known as the "Higher Education Act of1994')
9 
b. Prepare, adopt and enact rules and regulations in accordance with applicable
10 
laws, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the Academy,
11 
and to effectively discharge its responsibilities;
12 
c. Receive assistance from any legitimate source to augment the internal sources
13 
of funds, as may be provided, for the support of the Academy in the manner it may
14 
determine, in its discretion, to carry out the purposes and functions of the Academy;
15 
d. 
Constitute the Board, as herein defined;
16 
e. 
Appoint the President and the necessary Vice-Presidents to assist the President
17 
in the administration of the affairs of the Academy;
18 
f. 
Review periodically the administrative procedures 
and programs 
of the
19 
Academy;
20 
g. Receive, in kind and in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal
21 
properties of all kinds, to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the
22 
benefit of the Academy, subject to the limitations, discretions and instructions of the
23 
donors, if any;
24 
h. Fix the tuition fees and other school charges such as matriculation fees,
25 
graduation fees, laboratory fees, and other miscellaneous fees as the Board may deem
26 
proper to impose after due consultations with the involved sectors: Provided, That
27 
these fees shall not be prohibitive or unreasonable as to deviate from the purpose for
28 
which the Academy was created based on the guidelines of the CHED:
29 
1. Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other
30 
incomes generated by the Academy, shall constitute its regular fund and
31 
shall be deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and


1 
all interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund
2 
for the use of the Academy.
3 
2. Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary
4 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the Academy from tuition
5 
fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary
6 
services and land grants, shall be retained by the Academy, and may be
7 
disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension services, 
or
8 
other programs and projects of the Academy: Provided, That all fiduciary
9 
fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they were
10 
allocated.
11 
3. Of for reason beyond its control, the Academy shall not be able to pursue
12 
any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under
13 
its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use
14 
of said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be
15 
necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of
16 
the Academy.
17 
i. Adopt and implement a socialized tuition scheme for greater access of poor but
18 
deserving students, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10931, or the "Universal
19 
Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act')
20 
j. Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machineries, equipment,
21 
and other facilities, as well as the purchase and acquisition of real and personal
22 
properties, including the necessary supplies, materials, and equipment;
23 
k. Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the Academy, the deans,
24 
executive directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and other officials and
25 
employees;
26 
I. Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and
27 
employees, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise known as
28 
the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019', and civil service rules and regulations
29 
governing hours of service and related concerns, and other pertinent laws;
30 
m. Formulate and implement the curricula and institutional programs of the
31 
Academy: Provided, That they comply with the minimum CHED requirements and
32 
guidelines;


1 
n. Formulate and promulgate the rules of discipline for the students of the
2 
Academy to ensure orderly and effective governance thereof;
3 
0, Set policies on admission and graduation of students: Provided, That they
4 
conform with the CHED guidelines;
5 
p. 
Award honorary degrees upon 
persons in recognition of outstanding
6 
contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science and technology, or
7 
any field of specialization within the academic competence of the Academy, and to
8 
authorize the issuance of certificates of completion of non-baccalaureate programs
9 
and nontraditional or innovative courses: Provided, That these conform with the
10 
applicable guidelines of the CHED and TESDA;
11 
q. Establish research and extension centers of the Academy where such will
12 
promote the development of the latter;
13 
r. 
Establish professional chairs in the Academy and provide fellowships
14 
for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students;
15 
s. 
Enter into any agreements or joint ventures with business and industry for the
16 
profitable management of the economic and manpower assets of the Academy, the
17 
proceeds from which shall be used for upgrading of facilities and its development;
18 
t. Authorize an external management audit of the Academy, to be financed by
19 
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulation of the Commission on Audit (COA), and
20 
institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit
21 
results and recommendations;
22 
u. 
Import economic, technical and cultural books and publications;
23 
V. 
Develop consortia, academe-industry linkages and other forms of networks with
24 
other institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and foreign: Provided,
25 
That these comply with the applicable guidelines of the CHED in furtherance of the
26 
purposes and objectives of the institutions, as well as develop academic arrangements
27 
for institution capacity and capability building with appropriate institutions and
28 
agencies, public and private;
29 
w. 
Appoint experts and specialists 
as consultants, or visiting or exchange
30 
professors, scholars, researchers, as the case may be: Provided, That the appointment
31 
shall conform to the CHED guidelines;


1 
X. Set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting
2 
knowledge, such as the use of information technology, the dual training system, open
3 
distance learning, and community laboratory for the promotion of greater access to
4 
education;
5 
y. Outsource, where most advantageous to the institution, the management of
6 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property
7 
maintenance and similar objectives;
8 
z. Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President or the other officials of
9 
the Academy, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the
10 
affairs of the Academy;
11 
aa. Extend the term of the President of the Academy beyond the age of retirement,
12 
when deemed meritorious due to outstanding performance, but not later than the age
13 
of seventy (70) years old; and
14 
bb. Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out
15 
the purposes and functions of the Academy.
16 
Sec. 8. President of the Academy. - The Academy shall be headed by
17 
a President, who shall render full-time service, and shall be appointed by the Board,
18 
upon the recommendation of a duly constituted Search Committee. The President shall
19 
also be the chief executive officer of the Academy. The President shall have a term of
20 
four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment to another term. Within six (6)
21 
months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the
22 
Academy, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency. The
23 
President shall receive such compensation and remuneration in accordance with
24 
Republic Act No. 11466, or the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019', and by such
25 
other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be
26 
comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions.
27 
The President shall exercise the following powers and duties:
28 
a. Submit, for the consideration of the Board and Executive Committee, the
29 
policies and measures which are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Academy;
30 
b. Recommend, coordinate, and administer the programs and projects of the
31 
Academy;


1 
c. 
Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Academy,
2 
and delegate administrative responsibilities in accordance with the rules and
3 
regulations of the Academy;
4 
d. Submit an annual report to the Board setting forth the accomplishments of the
5 
Academy during the year, its financial operations and status, and a program and
6 
budget for the ensuing year; and
7 
e. Exercise other powers and discharge other functions, as may be vested by the
8 
Board and the Executive Committee.
9 
The Board shall designate an OfficerTn-Charge (OIC) of the Academy in case of
10 
vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement,
11 
resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the functions
12 
of the office, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the OIC
13 
shall not serve beyond the unexpired portion of the term in such capacity. The powers
14 
and duties of the President of the Academy, in addition to those provided in this Act,
15 
shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of similar educational
16 
institutions, and those delegated by the Board.
17 
Sec. 9. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive Committee
18 
consisting of the President of the Academy and four (4) other members to be elected
19 
by the Board from its members. Each Member of the Executive Committee, other than
20 
the President of the Academy, shall hold office for a term of two (2) years, and shall
21 
be eligible for re-election, unless at the time of election, a short term is specified. The
22 
Board shall elect the Chairperson of the Executive Committee from the membership
23 
of the Board.
24 
Sec. 10. Functions of the Executive Committee. - The Executive Committee shall
25 
administer the affairs of the Academy in accordance with such functions, powers and
26 
responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board.
27 
Section 11. Government Support and Coordination. - The CHED Chairperson is
28 
hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality of
29 
the government for such assistance as may be necessary for the effective
30 
implementation of this Act.
31 
Sec. 12. Tax Exemption. - The importation of economic, technical and cultural
32 
books and publications, which are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific.


1 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by the Academy, upon certification
2 
by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties, in accordance with the provisions
3 
of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the" Customs Modernization and Tariff
4 
AdC\
5 
All grants, bequest, endowments, donations and contributions made to the
6 
Academy, to be used actually, directly and exclusively by it, shall be exempt from
7 
donor's tax, and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross
8 
income in the computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the
9 
provisions of the "NationaiInternai Revenue Code of1997", as amended.
10 
Section 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate
11 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
12 
Section 14. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations (IRR). - Within ninety (90)
13 
days from the approval of this Act, the CHED, in coordination with the TESDA and the
14 
DTI, shall formulate the IRR to fully implement the provisions of this Act.
15 
Section 15. Separabiiity Cause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of
16 
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not
17 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
18 
Section 16. Repeaiing Cause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
19 
rules and regulations contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are
20 
repealed or modified accordingly.
21 
Section 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
22 
complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
23 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
8