FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Explanatory Note 
UP Mindanao as an integral part of the University of the Philippines System, 
the national state university, is dedicated to human resource development and 
democratization of access to UP education for all sectors particularly the poor, 
isolated and those inadequately prepared for higher education with all its tradition 
of excellence, liberalism, total human development, social relevance and 
leadership will impact on the economic, socio-cultural, polifical and sustainable 
development in Mindanao. It is currently undertaking efforts to address food 
agriculture concerns and issues in Mindanao. 
-- UP Mindanao website (www.upmin.edu.ph) 
University of the Philippines distinguishes itself as the leader in higher 
education by its continuous pursuit of excellence in providing quality education 
backed with extensive research and development competence. Its long list of 
alumni from its I00 years of existence is a virtual collection of government leaders, 
businessmen, scientists, lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, academicians, 
agriculturists, accountants, artists, writers and many others. Not a few of them are 
from poor families but, through UP education, have managed to excel in their 
respective fields. 
At present, the University of the Philippines System is composed of seven 
constituent universities located in 12 campuses throughout the country and serves 
more than 50,000 students. However, only one of these 12 campuses can be found 
in Mindanao where some.of the poorer provinces are located. Readily apparent is 
the unequal opportunity to deserving students who are residing in Mindanao to 
enter the country's only national university. 
The University of the Philippines in Mindanao which was established 
through R. A. No. 7889 in 1995 is the only UP campus in Mindanao. Located in 
Davao City, it offers diverse programs such as liberal arts, architecture, applied 
mathematics, agri-business, anthropology, theater arts, computer science and 
others. 
True to its mandate, UP in Mindanao serves students who come mostly from 
Mindanao. However, it cannot accommodate more students especially those who 
are from provinces far from Davao City which is at the direct southern tip of 
Mindanao. Residents of Western Mindanao including the Autonomous Region of 
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) could be better served by a UP in Mindanao located in 
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Zamboanga City which is readily accessible to the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu 
and Tawi-Tawi. 
As in the Ninth Congress, this representation once again proposes the 
creation of a second UP campus in Mindanao, this time in the highly-urbanized city 
(HUC) of Zamboanga City. It will have similar mandate as that of UP Mindanao and 
will thus offer an additional opportunity to poor but deserving students from 
Mindanao to get quality education. 
In view thereof, passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
RODOLFO a l A Z 0 N  
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S. No. __ 
2662 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES IN ZAMBOANGA, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION ONE. This Act shall be known as the "University of the Philippines 
in Zamboanga Act." 
Sec. 2. The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines is hereby 
authorized to carry out the establishment of an autonomous campus of the 
University of the Philippines in Zamboanga City , hereinafter referred to as UP 
Zamboanga. 
Sec. 3. The campus of UP-Zamboanga shall be located in Zamboanga City 
to be specified by the City Government in an area not exceeding 400 hectares to 
be set aside by a proclamation of the President of the Philippines. The campus 
shall be utilized exclusively for educational purposes and for such other activities 
related to research and training activities of UP Zamboanga. 
Sec. 4. The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines shall have 
full authority to determine the instruction, research, extension programs, schedule 
of preparatory work and initial operations, .organizational structure, qualifications 
and number of academic and other personnel, enrollment and other matters related 
to the administration and operation of UP Zamboanga; Provided, That the 
academic program shall put on science, technology and agricultural education; 
Provided, further, That the medical education program shall adopt a community- 
relevant step-ladder approach with the view of encouraging graduates to serve 
Mindanao. 
Sec. 5. The University of the Philippines in Zamboanga shall provide a 
special scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor 
but deserving Muslims and other members of cultural communities to qualify for 
admission to the University. 
No student shall be denied admission to UP Zarnboanga by reason of sex, 
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
Sec. 6. The University of the Philippines in Zamboanga shall network and 
coordinate with other state universities and colleges (SUCs) in such areas which 
shall contribute to the development of Mindanao. 
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Sec. 7. The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines shall 
submit a report to the President of the Philippines, Congress and the Commission 
on Higher Education (CHED) on the actions that the University has taken pursuant 
hereto within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 8. The amount of Fifty million pesos (PhP 50,000,000.00) is hereby 
appropriated from the savings of the Office of the President as initial operating 
expenses of UP Zamboanga. Thereafter, such additional amount as may be 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 9. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act shall be declared 
as unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
Sec. I O .  All laws, decrees, orders, proclamation, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 11. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two 
(2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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