Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

1981

Introduced by Honorable FREDERICK W. SIAO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to convert the Iligan City National School of Fisheries
(ICNSF) into the Iligan City Polytechnic State College (ICSPC).

Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides, in part, that
"The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relative to the needs of the people and society

Providing access to quality and affordable education has always been a
principal objective of the government together with the aspiration of attaining its
sustainable existence. Moreover, education is essential in achieving human
progress and development as it affords people with the opportunities to enable
them to acquire a better future. Education plays an important role in fostering

peace, democracy and economic growth as well as mitigating poverty especially ‘n
the countryside.

The Iligan City National School of Fisheries (ICNSF) was formally
established on May 4, 1973 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4625. In its more
than forty years of existence, it has provided educational opportunities to the
youth of lligan City and its nearby provinces and municipalities, thus, preparing
them for gainful employment to meet the demands of the fisheries industry in the
country. Recently, the ICNSF has emerged as one of the top model schools for
the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum of the "K-12 Program" of the
Department of Education (DepEd).


Converting the ICNSF into a Polytechnic State College will make lligan City
home to a viable educational institution that will be vital in helping further
Gevelop and strengthen the country’s Fgheries’ industry. Currently, the ICNSF |S
a public technical-vocational (Tech-Voch) school with approximately eleven
hectares of land area at Purok I, Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City. It is the
only public secondary schoo! with Technical Education and Skills Development
‘authority (TESDA) accredited courses 1 ‘Aquaculture National Certificate (NC)
Level Il, Fish/Food Processing NC Level If, Bread and Pastry Production NC Level
Tt and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC Level Il.

The conversion of the ICNSF ito a Polytechnic State College will widen its
curriculum and address the needs of the growing student population in tga
City and its neighboring provinces and Taunicipalities for easier access to
quality and affordable education.

is earnestly sought.

In view of the foregoing, appr

FREDERIC! |. SIAO
Lone Distri jan City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

981

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable FREDERICK W. SIAO

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE ILIGAN CITY NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
(ICNSF) INTO THE ILIGAN CITY POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
(ICPSC) DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Conversion. ~ The present lligan City National School of
Fisheries (ICNSF) in Iligan City, is hereby converted into the  Iligan City

Polytechnic State College (ICPSC), hereinafter referred to as the Polytechnic State
College.

Sec. 2. Purpose.— The Polytechnic State College shall primarily offer
professional and technical instructions and trainings in both the graduate and
undergraduate levels in the fields of fishery education, marine transportation,
tourism, trade and the arts. It shall also offer vocational and technology
courses in welding technology, vocational technology, fishery technology, hotel
and restaurant services, hotel and household services, baking technology, electronic
services and repair. The Polytechnic State College shall continue to offer the Junior
High School and Senior High School Program under the technical-vocational
curriculum of the K to 12 Program of the Department of Education.


It shall serve as the center for development of the fisheries industry anc

shall provide technological, professional and occupational training on the

utilization and development of appropriate technologies. It shall also undertake

research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in the are
of fishery education.

The Polytechnic State College shali offer undergraduate,
short-term technical courses within its area of spedalization

graduate and

as the Board of
Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives,

Meet the needs of the city and the province.

Particularly in order. to

Sec. 3. Powers of the Polytechnic State College.- the Polytechnic
State College will have the structure and powers of a higher education
institution, geared towards the development of technical education and skills
development goals of the country, particularly in developing and strengthening
the country's fisheries industry.

The Polytechnic State College shall have the general
Corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, oth
as the Corporation Code of the Philippines." The
Polytechnic State College and the exercise of

vested exclusively in its Board of Trustees,

Powers of a
erwise known
administration of the
Its corporate powers shall be

Sec. 4. The Governing Board; Manner of Appointment, —

2) Composition —The governing body of the Polytechnic State College shall

be the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as thi

le Board, composed of
the following:

1) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher

Education (CHED)
Chairperson;

2) President of the Polytechnic State College, Vice-Chairperson;

3) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development

Authority (NEDA) or a duly authorized representative, member;

4) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST) or a duly authorized representative, member;


5) President of the faculty association of the Polytechnic State
College, member;

6) President of the student council of the Polytechnic State College,
member;
7) President of the alumni association of the Polytechnic State College
member;
8) Two (2) prominent citizens who have distinguished themselves in
their professions or fields of specialization chosen from among a list of at
least five (5) qualified persons in Iligan City, as recommended by the
search committee constituted by the President of the Polytechnic State
College in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED based on the
normal standards and qualifications for the position. The two (2) private
Sector representatives shall be appointed by the Board upon
recommendation of the duly constituted search committee. the City
Government of Iligan shall be represented in the search committee.
b) Term of Office - The president of the faculty and alumni associations
and the student trustees shall sit in the Board until the expiration of their term of
office in such capacities. The prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2)
years from the date of appointment.

SEC. 5. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. — The Board shall
have the following specific Powers and duties in addition to its genera!
Powers of administration and the exercise of all powers granted to the board of
directors of a corporation under existing laws:

2) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as
may be necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the
Polytechnic State College;

b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided fo

the support of the Polytechnic State College in the manner it May determine, in

its discretion, to carry out the purposes and functions of the Polytechnic Stai
College;



©) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and
Personal properties of all kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when
necessary for the benefit of the Po:ytechnic State College, subject to limitations,
directions and instructions of the do or, if any. Such donation
from the donor's tax and the same sali be considered

shall be exempt

as allowable
deductions from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the

donor, in accordance with the provisii 1s of the National
Code (NIRC), as amended. Provided,
of, transferred or sold;

Internal Revenue
that such donations shall not be disposed

d) To fix tuition fees and other
charges including matriculation fees,

Necessary school fees and
graduation fees and laboratory fees as the
Board may deem proper to impose after due consultations with the involved
sectors,

Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other
incomes generated by the Polytechnic State College, shall 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 fund for the
use of the Polytechnic State College.

Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the co
Notwithstanding,

ntrary
any income generated by the Polytechnic State College from
tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services
and land grants, shall be retained by the Polytechnic State College, and may be
disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension, or other programs
and projects of the Polytechnic State College. Provided, that all fiduciary fees
Shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they are collected

Tf for reasons beyond its control, the Polytechnic State College shall
not be able to pursue any project for which 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 Polytechnic State College;


®) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and
School fees for greater access by poor but deserving students;

f) To authorize
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real
and personal properties, — including
equipment. Purchases

the construction or repair of the buildinas,

necessary supplies, materials and
and other transactions entered into by the Polytechnic
State College through the Board shall be exempted from all taxes and duties;

9) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of
the Polytechnic State College, vice presidents, deans, directors,
heads of departments, faculty members and other offi

h) To fix

icials and employees;
and adjust the salaries of faculty members anc

administrative officials and employees subject to the Provisions of the Revised

Compensation and Position Classification System, as amended, and othe:

Pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of service, and such
other duties and conditions as it may deem proper,

to grant them at its
discretion,

leaves of absence under regulations as it may promulgate, any

Provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding; and to remove them

for cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of law;

i) To approve the curricula, institutional programs and rules of

discipline drawn by the administrative and academic

councils as herein
provided;

5) To set policies on admission,

graduation and certification of
students;

k) To award honorary degrees upon

Persons in recognition
of outstanding contribution in the field of education,

Public service, arts, science
and technology or in any field of specialization within the academic competence of
the Polytechnic State College and to authorize the award of certificates of
completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses;


') To absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the province
Of Lanao del Norte in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the
Department of Budget and Management, and to offer therein needed programs or

courses, to promote and carry out equal access to educational opportunities

mandated by the Constitution;

™m) To establish research and extension centers of the Polytechnic
State College where such will promote the development of the latter;

n) To establish chairs in the Polytechnic State College and to

fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarship grant
deserving students;

provide s to

°) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided fi

for
hereinabove to the President

or other officials of the Polytechnic State
College as it may deem appropriate so as to expedite the administration
of the affairs of the Polytechnic State College;

P) To authorize an external management audt of the instituti
to be financed by the CHED and to institute reforms, including academic
and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;

9) To collaborate with CHED, TESDA and other governing boards
Of state universities and colleges within the region,

under the supervision of
the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management,
in the restructuring of the Polytechnic State College

to become more
efficient, relevant,

Productive and competitive in producing

professionals,
technologists and technicians;

') To enter into joint ventures with business and

industry for
the profitable development and management of the assets of the Polytechnic
State College, the proceeds of which will be used for the

development and strengthening of the Polytechnic State College;

s) To develop partnerships and other forms of linkages with local

government units, institutions and agencies, both public and Private, local

and foreign, in furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the Polytechnic
State College;


t) To develop academic arrangements _ for
capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies, public or
private, local or foreign, and to appoint
consultants,

institutional

experts or specialists as

or visiting or exchange professors, scholars, researchers, as the
case may be;

4) To set up the adoption of modem and innovative

modes of transmitting knowledge such as the use of information technology,

the dual system, open learning, community laboratory, and competency-based
training for the promotion of greater access to higher education,

professional and technological education and skills development;

¥) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative
decision-making and transparency within the Polytechnic State College;
w) To privatize,

where most advantageous to the Polytechnic
State College,

management and non-academic services such as health, food,
building or grounds or property maintenance and similar such other activities;
and

x) To extend beyond the age of retirement but not later than the

age of seventy (70) the term of the President of the Polytechnic State College
whose performance has been unanimously rated as outstanding and upon
unanimous recommendation by the Search Committee for the President
the Polytechnic State College.

of

SEC.6. — Promulgation and Implementation of Policies.—

The Board shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the
declared state policies on education and other
Philippine Constitution on education,
and sports;

pertinent provisions of the
science and technology, arts, culture
as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under
Republic Act No. 7722 and also in accordance with the policies, standards
and programs of the Technical Education and Skills
Authority(TESDA), the designated government
education and skills development.

Development
authority in technical


SEC.7. Board Meetings; Quorum, — The Board shall
convene at least once every quarter.

regularly
The Chairperson of the Board of
@ special meeting whenever necessary. Provided, that
members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to s

Trustees may call

‘aid meeting

‘A majority of all members holding office shall constitute a quorum for

board meetings. Provided, that the Chairperson of the CHED who is the

Chairperson of the Board or the President of the Polytechnic State College 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 of the CHED in the meeting with all the rights and responsibilities of

a regular member. Provided, however, that in the said meeting, the

President of the Polytechnic State College as vice chairperson shall
presiding officer.

be the
Provided, further, that this proviso notwithstanding, the

Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED
Commissioner as the regular Chairperson to the Board of the Polytechnic State

College, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding

officer. The members shall serve without compensation, but they shall be

reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in their attendance of meetings of

the Board or in connection with their official business authorized by resolution of
the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

SEC.8. Administration. -— The administration of the

Polytechnic State College shall be vested in a President who shall rende:

full-time service. The President shall be appointed by the Board upon the

recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The President shail

have a term of four (4) years and shail be eligible for reappointment. fo

another term. In order to effect a smooth transition to a Polytechnic State

College, the current head of the ICNSF shall become the first President of the
Polytechnic State College.


The President shall be assisted by a vice president for academic affairs

who shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the

President of the Polytechnic Stat» College without Prejudice to the
appointment of more thru one (1) vi.e president when so warranted

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of the
incumbent President, the Board hall create a search committee for the
presidency.

In case of vacancy by reason of death, compulsory retirement

resignation, removal for cause or ii capacity of the President to perform the
functions of the office, the Board shall have the authority to designate
an officer-in-charge of the Polytechnic State College within six (6) months
from the date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new President

Tn case of vacancy in the office of the president as mentioned in
the immediately preceding paragraph, the successor shall h

‘old office only for
the unexpired portion of the term.

The powers and duties of the President of the Polytechnic State
College in addition to those specifically Provided in this Act shall be those

usually pertaining to the office of the president of other educational institutions.

The salary of the President of the University shall be in accordance
with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System, as modified
by Joint Resolution No. 4 dated June 17, 2009 and other pertinent budget

and compensation laws, and shall be comparable to that being received by

the presidents of similar educational institutions.

SEC.9. Secretary. ~ The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who
shall serve as such for both the Polytechnic st

‘ate College and the Board, and
Shall keep all records of the Board,

SEC. 10. Treasurer. ~The Treasurer of the Philippines shail be
the ex-offido Treasurer of the Polytechnic State College.


SEC. 11. Administrative Councii.- There shall be an

administrative council consisting of the President of the Polytechnic

State College as Chairperson, vice-presidents, deans, directors and other

Officials of equal rank as members whose duty is to review and recommend
to the Board, policies governing the administration,

development planning of the institution.

management and

SEC.12. Academic Council.— There — shall
council consisting of the President

be an academic
of the Polytechnic State College as

Chatperson, vice-presidents and all members of the instructional staff with

the rank not lower than assistant professor, as members. The academic council
shall have the power to review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules

of discipline of the Polytechnic State College, for the approval of the Board. It

shall fix the requirements for admission to the Polytechnic State College, as
well as for graduation and the conferring of certificates and diplomas, subject
to review and approval by the Board through the President of the Polytechnic State
College.

SEC.13. Academic Freedom.- Pursuant
Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of
Philippines, all institutions of higher learning,

to paragraph 2,
the Republic of the

Public or private, shall enjoy
academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

SEC. 14. Admission and Scholarships.— No student shall be
denied admission to the Polytechnic State College by reason of gender,
nationality, religion., cultural or community affiliation or

ethnic origin, or
Political affiliation.

The Polytechnic State College shall provide a scholarship program
and other subsidies to assist poor but deserving students who quality for
admission to the Polytechnic State College.


SEC.15. Faculty. — No religious opinion or affiliation, political

beliefs, gender, preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin,

shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the

Polytechnic State College: Provided, however, that no member of the

faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.

SEC. 16. Development Plan; Management Audit;

Organizational, Administrative and Academic Structure. - Within the
Period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act,
the Polytechnic State College shall accomplish the following;

a) Submit a five (5) year development plan, including program
budgets to CHED and TESDA, for corresponding recommendation to the
Department of Budget and Management;

b) Undergo
and TESDA; and

a management audit in cooperation with CHED

c) Set up its organizational, administrative as well
academic structure, including

as

the appointment of key Polytechnic State
College officials.

SEC. 17. Transfer of Assets.- All assets, real and personal,
Personnel and records of the ICNSF based in the City of Iligan, as well as
liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred
College.

to the Polytechnic State
The position, rights and security of tenure of personnel therein
employed under existing laws shall be respected.

All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied

by the ICNSF are hereby declared to be the property of the Polytechnic

State College and shall be titled under that name.


SEC. 18. Loan of Equipment.- The heads of bureaus and offices
of the national government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer upon
request of the President of the Polytechnic State College such apparatus,
equipment or supplies as may be needed by the Polytechnic State College,
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 wthout serious detriment to the public service.
Employees detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the
President of the Polytechnic State College and the time so employed shail be
counted as part of their regular services.

SEC.19. Auditing.- All accounts and expenses of the
Polytechnic State College shall be audited by the Commission on Audit or
its duly authorized representative,

SEC. 20. Filing of Report. — Not later than the fifteenth day of
the second month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board
Shall file with the Office of the President of the Philippines, through the CHED and
TESDA, and to both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress,
Conditions and needs of the Polytechnic State College.

SEC. 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of

the ICNSF. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued

operation and maintenance of the Polytechnic State College shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 22. Repealing Clause.— Ali laws,
executive orders,

presidential decrees,
Memoranda, rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended,
accordingly.

or modified


SEC. 23. Separability Clause. ~— if any part or provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional or inva'id, the remaining parts or provisions
not affected shall remain in full force and effect,

SEC. 24. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,