Siquijor State University

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) MAR 24 P1:05 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 2009 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Education is a human right, this is enshrined in Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that, "the state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." Furthermore, Article II, Section 17 states that the State shall give priority to education. For an island province such as Siquijor, access to quality higher education is essential in creating opportunities, reducing poverty, and empowering future generations to contribute meaningfully to the province's growth and development. For many years, Siquijor State College, with its main campus in Larena and extension campus in Lazi, has served as the province's primary institution of higher learning. It has provided countless young Siquijodnons with the opportunity to pursue college education close to home, sparing them the financial and emotional burden of leaving their families and relocating to distant cities in search of better educational prospects. Thus, this bill seeks to convert Siquijor State College into a State University, a step that will broaden its academic offerings, strengthen its research and extension programs, and enhance its capacity to respond to the changing needs of the province and the region. As a university, it will be better positioned to offer advanced degree programs, attract highly qualified faculty, improve its facilities, and secure greater institutional support from the government.

This conversion is more than a mere change in name. It is a meaningful investment in the future of Siquijor. It promises wider educational access, improved learning resources, stronger local innovation, and more inclusive development for the people of the province. By strengthening its institutions of higher learning, we help build a more progressive, self-reliant, and brighter future for Siquijor. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. Free h. Marco EMEE R. MARCOS

Dellate Offite of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session SENATE S.B. No. 2009 RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT CONVERTING THE SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LARENA, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR, INCLUDING ITS EXTENSION CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI, PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Siquijor State College (SSC) in the Municipality

of Larena, Province of Siquijor, including its extension campus in the Municipality of Lazi, Province of Siquijor known as the Siquijor State College-Lazi Campus (formerly the Lazi Skills Development Center), is converted into a state university to be known as the State University of Siquijor (SUS). The main campus shall be in the Municipality of Larena.

SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The SUS shall primarily provide advanced instruction

and professional training in education, law, arts, and science, public administration, information technology, accountancy, business and industry, agriculture, forestry, maritime education, engineering, nursing and health allied courses, and other fields of study. It shall promote research and extension services and shall provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.

SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The SUS shall offer short-term technical-

vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses in the fields of education, law, arts and science, public administration, information technology, accountancy, business and industry, agriculture, forestry, maritime education, engineering, nursing and health allied courses, and other degree courses as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, and those which respond to the human resource development needs of the Province of Siquijor and Region VII.

SEC. 4. Administration. - The SUS shall have the general powers of a corporation

as set forth in the Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the "Revised

Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the SuS and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the SUS.

SEC. 5. The Board of Regents. - The governing body of the Sus shall be the

Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and vice-chaired by the President of the SUS, and with the following as members: (a) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education of the Senate; (b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives; (c) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority; (d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology; (e) President of the federation of faculty associations of the SUS; (f) President of the federation of student councils of the SUS; (g) President of the federation of alumni associations of the SUS; (h) Representative of the nonteaching or personnel association of the SUS; and (i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Siquijor, as recommended by a Search Committee constituted by the President of the SUS, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the standards and qualifications for the position set by the Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment. The terms of office of the Presidents of the federation of faculty associations, federation of student councils, federation of alumni associations, and the Representative of the nonteaching personnel shall be coterminous with their terms of office, as provided under their respective constitutions and bylaws.

SEC. 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The administration of the SUS and

the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board, which shall have the following specific powers and duties in addition to its general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of Directors of a Corporation under Section 35 of RA No. 11232: (a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies on education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education,

agriculture, science and technology, and the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under RA No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994"; (b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils, as herein provided; (c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, the vice presidents, chancellors, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and other officials and employees of the SUS; (d) Fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members, administrative officials, and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of service, and such other duties and conditions as it may deem proper; grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, and remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service laws and the process of law; (e) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultation with the concerned sectors. The fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the SUS, shall constitute its special trust fund and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the funds of the SUS and be used for any provision of existing law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, any income generated by the SUS from tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be retained by the SUS and may be disbursed by it at the discretion of the Board of Regents for instruction, research, extension, or other programs or projects of the SUS: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which these are collected: Provided, however, That if, for reasons beyond its control, the SUS shall not be able to pursue any project for which the 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 SUS; (f) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with RA No. 10931, otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act"; (g) Establish professorial chairs in the SUS and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students; (h) Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided for by law for the support of the SUS, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the SUS; (i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students; (j) Award honorary degrees upon persons of note in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, sports and human kinetics or any field of specialization within the academic

competency of the SUS, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses; (k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be; (I) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow greater access to education such as the use of information technology, online programs, the dual learning system, open distance learning and community laboratory; (m) Absorb non-chartered tertiary education institutions within the Province of Siquijor and Region VII as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities; (n) Authorize an external management audit of the SUS, to be funded by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations; (o) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies for the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the SUS; (p) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications; (q) Enter into joint ventures with business industry for the profitable growth and management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the SUS; (r) Receive, in trust, legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for the benefit of the SUS and subject to the limitations, directions, and instructions of the donor, if any; (s) Extend the term of the President of the SUS beyond the age of retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines on qualification standards set by the Board: Provided, That the President's performance has been rated by the Board as outstanding and a unanimous recommendation for such extension has been decided upon by the Search Committee; (t) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President and other officials of the SUS, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the SUS; (u) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent decision-making within the SUS; (v) Where most advantageous to the SUS, privatize the management of nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance, and such other similar activities;

(w) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including the necessary supplies, materials, and equipment; and (x) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and functions of the SUS.

SEC. 7. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene once every

three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing, at least three (3) days prior to the conduct of said meeting. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of all its members holding office at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or the President of the SUS is among those present in the meeting. In case the Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED Commissioner duly designated by the Chairperson of the CHED as representative to the meeting, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, further, That the Vice Chairperson of the SUS, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer: Provided, further, That this provision notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED may designate a regular CHED Commissioner as the regular Chairperson of the Board, in which case, the said CHED Commissioner shall act as the presiding officer. In case the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective representatives who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members of the Board. The members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than the reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either for their attendance to the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business as representatives of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. The University President. - The SUS shall be headed by a President who

shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualification standards, and based on the recommendation of a Search Committee duly constituted for the purpose of selecting the President. The President of the SUS shall render full-time service for a term of four (4) years, and may be reappointed to another term. Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the SUS, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the President. The powers and duties of the President of the SUS, in addition to those specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of universities and those delegated by the Board. The salary of the President of the SUS shall be in accordance with RA No. 11466, otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019", and such other laws amendatory thereof, which may hereinafter be enacted, and of the joint circulars pertaining thereto and relevant guidelines of the CHED and the DBM. In case of vacancy

in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the President to perform the functions of the office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the SUS, pending the appointment of a new President. Provided, That the OIC shall serve only during the unexpired portion of the term. The President of the SUS shall be assisted by the following officials: Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Administration, Planning and Finance; and Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension. They shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS from a list submitted by the Search Committee.

SEC. 9. The Secretary. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as

such for both the Board and the SUS and shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the SUS shall 14. serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings.

SEC. 10. The Treasurer. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio

Treasurer of the SUS.

SEC. 11. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council

consisting of the President of the SUS as Chairperson, and the vice-president, deans, director, and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board such policies governing the administration, management, and development planning of the SUS.

SEC. 12. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council consisting

of the President of the SUS, as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members, which shall formulate academic policies. The Academic Council shall review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules on student discipline, fix the requirements for admission of students, as well as for the graduation and conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the students and formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the review and approval of the Board through the President of the SUS. It shall have disciplinary power over the students of the SUS and shall formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.

SEC. 13. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The SUS shall enjoy

academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

SEC. 14. The Faculty. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or

community affiliation, ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the SUS: Provided, That the appointment shall be subject to the guidelines on qualification standards set by the

Board: Provided, further, That a member of the faculty shall not criticize, vouch for, recruit members in behalf of, or preach about any particular church or religious sect.

SEC. 15. Head of the Campus. - A campus shall be headed by a Campus Director

who shall render full-time service. The Campus Director shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the SUS, subject to the guidelines on qualification standards set by the Board. The Campus Director shall serve a term of two (2) years.

SEC. 16. Scholarship Program and Admission. - The SUS shall provide

scholarship programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission to the SUS. No student shall be denied admission to the SUS by reason of sex, religion, political, cultural or community affiliation, and ethnic origin.

SEC. 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer of Apparatus, Equipment or Supplies, and

Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government are authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the SUS, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the SUS and to detail employees for duty therein in the interest of the needs of the SUS and of the apparatus, equipment or supplies or service of which employees may be needed. The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the SUS and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their regular service.

SEC. 18. Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel. - All assets, both real and personal,

personnel and records of the SSC, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be transferred to the SUS: Provided, That the positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversion into a University shall be respected. All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSC and its extension campus are declared as property of the SUS, and titled under its name: Provided, That should the SUS cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of land be no longer needed by the SUS, the same shall revert to the Municipality of Larena to be the public of the Philippines, as the case may be.

SEC. 19. Duty and Tax Exemptions. - The importation of books or publications,

which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical, legal, or cultural purposes made by the SUS, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)". All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the SUS, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes

of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

SEC. 20. Compliance with the CHED Requirements. - Notwithstanding the

provisions of this Act, the conversion of the SSC to a state university shall become effective only upon the determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the recommendation of a panel of experts constituted for the purpose, that the SSC has complied with the requirements for a university status based on the CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 or the Policy Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-Based and Typology- Based Quality Assurance: Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation when the SSC has substantially complied with the requirements for the grant of university status. The following operational requirements for a university, as established by the CHED, shall be complied with: (a) Employment of full-time, permanent faculty members who possess relevant degrees in their areas of specialization, as required by the CHED, and shall have participated in research and development activities in their respective disciplines, as evidenced by refereed publications and other scholarly outputs; (b) Offering of a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from basic postsecondary to doctorate programs; programs in specific disciplinary and (c) Conduct of viable research multidisciplinary areas of study that produce new knowledge, as evidenced by refereed publications, citations, inventions, and patents, among others; (d) Establishment of comprehensive learning resources and support structures, to include libraries, practicum laboratories, relevant educational resources, and linkages with relevant disciplinary and professional sectors, so as to allow students to expose basic, advance, and even cutting-edge knowledge in a wide range of disciplines or professions; (e) Maintenance of linkages and affiliation with other research institutions in various parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the SUS are functioning at current global standards; and (f) Conduct of outreach activities to allow the students, faculty, and research staff to apply the new knowledge they generate to address specific social development problems. The CHED shall, through its regional office, regularly provide technical assistance to the SUS and monitor its compliance with the requirement that the CHED. The SSC shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able to comply with the requirements provided herein.

SEC. 21. Development Plan and Organizational Structure. - Within one hundred

twenty (120) days after approval of this Act, the SUS shall accomplish the following: (a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its corresponding program budget to the CHED and the DBM;

(b) Submit the revised Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan in accordance with RA No. 11396, otherwise known as the "SUCs Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) Act"; (c) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and (d) Set up its organizational, administrative as well as academic structure, including the designation of the key officials and other administrative personnel of the SUS.

SEC. 22. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second

(2nd) month after the opening of regular classes each year, the Board shall file a detailed report on its compliance with the requirements for a university status with the Office of the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the Chairperson of the CHED.

SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the SSC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. SEC. 24. Suppletory Application. The provisions of RA No. 8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this Act.

SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and regulations to implement its provisions.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act

is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected are fully force and effect.

SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees, executive

orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,