Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9
House Bill No.” 479

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 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 100 years of existence is a virtual collection of
government leaders, businessmen, scientists, lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, academi
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 Westem Mindanao including the Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) could be better served by a UP in Mindanao located in 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 of Zamboanga City. It will have a 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 & BIAZON
Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G.
—

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.
Zamboanga Act."

his Act shall be known as the "University of the Philippines in

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.

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, 10 . 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.