FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. __ 
3_r_ 
.. :r'_~ 8 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to convert the Consolacion Public College in the Municipality of 
Consolacion Province of Cebu, into a Polytechnic College to ensure its fiscal autonomy, 
enhance its academic standards and provide accessible and affordable but quality 
education to poor but deserving students. 
Pursuing college degree is almost impossible for many poverty-stricken residents 
of Consolacion given the high cost of transportation, personal sustenance and other 
necessary expenses that go with the equally high cost of education especially in private 
universities and colleges in Cebu City or Mandaue City. This also holds true for 
neighboring communities where incidence of poverty is also high. 
In an effort to address this problem, the local government of the Municipality of 
Consolacion established the Consolacion Public College with the objective of providing 
accessible and affordable tertiary, vocational and technical education to the youth of the 
municipality. It was also hoped that the establishment of the College will stimulate the 
economic activity in the area and provide residents with the opportunity to acquire 
skills and education necessary for them to obtain decent and stable jobs for the 
improvement of their economic and social standing and for their total development as 
individuals as well. 
It is the State's mandate to establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate 
and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of society. With the conversion 
of the Consolacion Public College into a Polytechnic College, the author seeks to secure 
adequate support and appropriate funds from the rational budget to ensure that the 
institution as the necessary facility, personnel and instructional materials which are at 
par with other tertiary learning institutions. 
Hence, the early approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 
, -," q' ~;-
", --:thq~ 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE CONSOLACION PUBLIC COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY 
OF CONSOLACION, PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO A POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE TO 
BE KNOWN AS THE CONSOLACION POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
I 
SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Consolacion Public College in the Municipality of 
2 
Cordova, Province of Cebu, is hereby converted into a state college to be known as the 
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Consolacion Polytechnic College, hereinafter referred to as the College. 
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SECTION 2. General Mandate. -The College shall primarily provide quality but 
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affordable advanced instruction and professional training in engineering, industrial 
7 
technologies, technological and vocational instructions, business, arts and sciences and 
8 
other relevant fields of study. It shall also undertake research and extension services, 
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and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization. 
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II 
SECTION 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer undergraduate and 
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graduate studies in the fields of engineering, industrial technologies, technological and 
13 
vocational instructions, business, arts and sciences and other degrees! courses within its 
14 
areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of Trustees may 
15 
deem necessary to carry out its objectives, in order to meet the needs of the Province of 
16 
Cebu and Region VII. 
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The College may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school, if it has a College 
19 
of Education. 
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SECTION 4. Administration. - The College shall have the general powers of a 
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corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, otherwise known as the 
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"Corporation Code of the Philippines." The administration of the College and the 
24 
exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees and 
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the President of the College. 
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27 
SECTION 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the College shall be 
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the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of 
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the following: 
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31 
(a) 
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, Chairperson; 
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(b) 
The President of the College, Vice Chairperson; 
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(c) 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the 
34 
Senate, member; 
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(d) 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of 
2 
the House of Representatives, member; 
3 
(e) 
The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development 
4 
Authority (NED A), member; 
5 
(f) 
The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology 
6 
(DOST), member; 
7 
(g) 
The President of the faculty association of the College, member; 
8 
(h) 
The President of the student council of the College, member; 
9 
(i) 
The President of the alumni association of the College, member; and 
10 
0) 
Two (2) 
prominent citizens from the private sector who have 
11 
distinguished themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the College, 
12 
members. 
13 
14 
The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at least 
15 
five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Cebu, as recommended by the search 
16 
committee constituted by the College President, in consultation with the Chairperson of 
17 
the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the normal standards and 
18 
qualifications for the position. 
19 
20 
The term of office of the President of the faculty association, the president of the 
21 
student council, and the president of the alumni association shall be co-terminus with 
22 
their terms of office, as set forth in their respective constitution and bylaws. 
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The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the 
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date of appointment. 
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'SECTION 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board shall 
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promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared state policies on 
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education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, 
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agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the 
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CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 
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1994." 
33 
34 
SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall have the 
35 
following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
36 
administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board of directors of a 
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corporation under existing laws: 
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(a) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary 
40 
to carry out the purposes and functions of the College; 
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42 
(b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided, for the support of 
43 
the College in the manner it may determine, ih its discretion, in order to carry out the 
44 
purposes and functions of the College; 
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46 
(c) To import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books andlor 
47 
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such books and/or publications are 
48 
for economic, technical,' vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural 
49 
purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the 
50 
Philippines, as amended; 
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(d) To receive in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real properties of all kinds 
2 
and to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit of the 
3 
College, and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any. 
4 
5 
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be 
6 
considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the computation of the 
7 
income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal 
8 
Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended: Provided, That such donations shall not be 
9 
disposed of, transferred or sold; 
10 
II 
(e) To fix reasonable tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as but 
12 
not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the Board may 
13 
deem proper to impose, after due consultations with the involved sectors; 
14 
15 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income 
16 
generated by the College, shall constitute special trust funds and shall be deposited in 
17 
any authorized government depository bank, and all interest that shall accrue 
18 
therefrom shall from part of the same funds for the use of the College. 
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20 
Any provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary 
21 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the College from tuition fees and other 
22 
charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants shall be 
23 
retained by the College, and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, 
24 
extension, or other programs/projects of the College: Provided, That all fiduciary fees 
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shall be disbursed for the specific purpose for which these are collected. 
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If, for any reason beyond its control, the College shall not be able to pursue any 
28 
project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved 
29 
program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said funds for any 
30 
reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the 
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attainment of the objectives and goals of the College; 
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(f) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees 
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for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
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(g) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment 
37 
and other facilities and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, 
38 
including necessary supplies and materials and equipment; 
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(h) To appoint, upon recommendation of the President of the College, vice 
41 
presidents, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and other officials 
42 
and employees of the College; 
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(i) To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and 
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employees subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position 
46 
Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing 
47 
hours of service and such other duties and conditions as it may deem proper, to grant 
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them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it may promulgate, 
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any provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding; and to remove them for 
50 
cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of law; 
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G) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn 
53 
by the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided; 
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(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
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(I) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
5 
contribution in the fields of engineering, agriculture, public service, arts, science and 
6 
technology, education or in any field of specialization within the academic competence 
7 
of the College; and to authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of non-degree 
8 
and non-traditional courses; 
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(m) To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the 
II 
Province of Cebu as branches and extension centers in coordination with the CHED and 
12 
in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and to offer 
13 
therein programs or courses to promote and carry out equal and greater access to 
14 
educational opportunities as mandated by the Constitution; 
IS 
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(n) To establish research and extension centers of the College where such will 
17 
promote the development of the latter; 
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(0) To establish professorial chairs in the College and to provide fellowships for 
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qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
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(p) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the 
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President or Officer-in-Charge and/ or other officials of the College as it may deem 
24 
appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the College; 
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(q) To authorize an external management audit of the College, to be financed by 
27 
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA); and 
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to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes on the basis of audit 
29 
results and recommendations; 
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(r) To collaborate with other governing boards of state universities and colleges 
32 
within the Province of Cebu or Region VII, under the supervision of the CHED and in 
33 
consultation with the DBM, and work towards the restructuring of the College to 
34 
become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
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(s) To develop consortia and other forms of linkages with local government units 
37 
(LGUs), institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and foreign, in 
38 
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the College; 
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(t) To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
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appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, and to 
42 
appOint experts/ specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange professors, 
43 
scholars or researchers, as the case may be; 
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(u) To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
46 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning system, open 
47 
learning or distance education and community laboratory for the promotion of greater 
48 
access to higher education and graduate studies, as the case may be; 
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(v) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-
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making and transparency within the College; 
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(w) To privatize, where most advantageous to the College, the management of 
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non-academic services such as health, food, building, grounds or property maintenance 
3 
and such other similar activities; and 
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(x) To extend the term of the President of the College beyond the age of 
6 
retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance has been 
7 
unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the guidelines, qualifications 
8 
and/ or standards set by the Board, after unanimous recommendation by the search 
9 
committee. 
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SECTION 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at least 
12 
once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) days' 
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prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary. 
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A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office 
16 
at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the CHED or the 
17 
president of the College is among those present in the meeting. 
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In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED, 
20 
duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights 
21 
and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this meeting, 
22 
the President of the College as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer: Provided, 
23 
further, That this proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby 
24 
authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the Board, in 
25 
which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as Presiding Officer. 
26 
27 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall not 
28 
be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
29 
representatives to attend said meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
30 
responsibilities as a regular member of the Board. 
31 
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The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
33 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance 
34 
to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by 
35 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations; 
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SECTION 9. The College President. - The College shall be headed by a President, 
38 
who shall render full-time service. He/She shall be appointed by the Board, subject to 
39 
the guidelines, qualifications and/ or standards set by the Board, upon recommendation 
40 
of a duly constituted search committee. He/She shall have a term of four (4) years and 
41 
shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, That in order to effect a 
42 
smooth transition to a Polytechnic College, the incumbent head of the Cordova Public 
43 
College, if qualified, shall act as the Officer-in-Charge, pending the appointment of the 
44 
first President of the College. 
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46 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent 
47 
President of the College, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the 
48 
Presidency (SCP). 
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory 
51 
retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the 
52 
functions of his/her office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the College 
5 


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within six (6) months from date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new 
2 
President. 
3 
4 
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the immediately 
5 
preceding paragraph, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only the 
6 
unexpired portion of the term. 
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The powers and duties of the President of the College, in addition to those 
9 
specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the 
10 
President of similar colleges, and those delegated by the Board. 
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The salary of the President of the College shall be in accordance with the Revised 
13 
Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to that being 
14 
received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
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The President of the College shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic 
17 
Affairs, who shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the president. 
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SECTION 10. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative 
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Council consisting of the President of the College as Chairperson, Vice Presidents, 
21 
deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review 
22 
and recommend to the Board policies governing the administration, management and 
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development planning of the College. 
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SECTION 11. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to be 
26 
composed of the President of the College, who shall act as Chairperson, and all the 
27 
academic staff with the rank of at least assistant professor, as members. 
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The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
30 
curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the College, subject to the approval of the 
31 
Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their 
32 
graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/ or approval by the Board 
33 
through the President of the College. It shall have the disciplinary power over students 
34 
of the College and shall formulate academic policies and rules and regulations on 
35 
discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
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SECTION 12. The Secretary of the College. - The Board shall appoint a secretary, 
38 
who shall serve as such for both the Board and the College and shall keep all the 
39 
records and proceedings of the Board. He/She shall serve upon each member of the 
40 
Board the appropriate notice of the Board meetings. 
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SECTION 13. The Treasurer of the College. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall 
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be the ex officio treasurer of the College. 
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SECTION 14. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
46 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
47 
matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, That 
48 
said appOintment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/ or standards set 
49 
by the Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against 
50 
any particular church or religiOUS sect. 
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SECTION 15. Scholarship Program/Admission. - The College shall provide a 
2 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving 
3 
students who qualify for admission to the College. 
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No student shaH be denied admission to the College by reason of sex, religion, 
6 
cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
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SECTION 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The College shall 
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enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 
10 
of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 
II 
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SECTION 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and Detail 
13 
of Personnel. - The heads of bureaus and offices of the national government are hereby 
14 
authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the College, such 
15 
apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the COllege, and to detail 
16 
employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or office, such 
17 
apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be spared without 
18 
serious detriment to public service. 
19 
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The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as reqUired of them by the 
21 
President of the College, and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their 
22 
regular services. 
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SECTION 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
25 
personnel and records of the Cordova Public College, as well as liabilities or obligations, 
26 
are hereby transferred to the College. The pOSitions, rights and security of tenure of 
27 
faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the 
28 
conversion into a State College shall be respected. 
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All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the Cordova 
31 
Public College are hereby declared to be property of the Cordova State College of 
32 
Science and Technology, and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the 
33 
College cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of land aforementioned be 
34 
no longer needed by the College, the same shall revert to the Municipality of Cordova, 
35 
or the Province of Cebu or the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be. 
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SECTION 19. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement the 
38 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's funding provided by 
39 
the local government unit (LCU) concerned. The concerned LCU shall continue to 
40 
provide assistance to the Cordova Public College until such time that the full funding 
41 
requirement of the Cordova Polytechnic College of Science and Technology is included 
42 
in the annual Ceneral Appropriations Act. 
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44 
SECTION 
20. 
Development 
Plan, 
Management 
Audit, 
45 
Organizational/Administrative/ACildemic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred 
46 
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the College shall accomplish the 
47 
following: 
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(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding 
50 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the DBM; 
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(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
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(c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic 
2 
structure, induding the appointment of the key officials of the College. 
3 
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SECTION 21. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
5 
(2nd) month after the opening of regular classes every year, the Board shall file with the 
6 
office of the President of the Philippines through the Chairperson of the CHED, and 
7 
with both Houses of Congress a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs 
8 
of the College. 
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SECTION 22. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
11 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall be an 
12 
integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the College. 
13 
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SECTION 23. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, 
15 
responsibilities and limitations to state colleges and/ or their officials under existing 
16 
laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the College and/ or its officials 
17 
whenever appropriate. 
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SECTION 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation 
20 
with the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this 
21 
Act. 
22 
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SECTION 25. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this 
24 
Act is declared invalid and unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
25 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
26 
27 
SECTION 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
28 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
29 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
30 
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SECTION 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
32 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
33 
34 
Approved, 
8