TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P1:15 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. Introduced by Senators PIA S. CAYETANO and ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO ESTABLISHING A PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FOR STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) play a crucial role in nation-building by providing accessible, quality, and relevant higher education across the country. Many SUCs, however, continue to operate under outdated, inadequate, and sometimes unsafe infrastructure that hampers their ability to deliver effective instruction, foster research and innovation, and promote student development. This situation is exacerbated by persistent inefficiencies in infrastructure delivery. According to a 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) report, government agencies and SUCs were flagged for over Php 242 billion worth of delayed and defective infrastructure projects.' These included projects that were either unutilized, poorly implemented, or left incomplete, highlighting the urgent need for a more coordinated, transparent, and strategic approach to infrastructure planning in the public education sector. This bill seeks to institutionalize a Priority Infrastructure Plan for SUCs to ensure that the national government provides consistent, strategic, and needs-based funding ' Philstar. (2024 December 26). Government agencies, SUCs flagged over P242 billion delayed, defective projects. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/12/26/2409881/government-agencies-sucs-flagged-over- p242-billion-delayed-defective-projects#
support for the development and upgrading of campus facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, research hubs, dormitories, sports and wellness facilities, and digital infrastructure. The proposed measure is also in line with the goals of Republic Act No. 10931 or the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act" as it ensures that free education is matched with quality learning environments. It takes a futures thinking approach by mandating long-term, data-driven planning and coordination among the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the SUCs themselves. The undersigned first filed this measure in the 18th Congress to address the persistent infrastructure gaps in public higher education institutions. With the growing urgency to modernize educational facilities and promote inclusive development, its passage remains both timely and necessary. By prioritizing infrastructure development, we equip our public universities and colleges to meet the growing demands of an innovation-driven economy, support inclusive learning for all students, and promote the overall well-being of learners and educators. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO
support for the development and upgrading of campus facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, research hubs, dormitories, sports and wellness facilities, and digital infrastructure. The proposed measure is also in line with the goals of Republic Act No. 10931 or the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act" as it ensures that free education is matched with quality learning environments. It takes a futures thinking approach by mandating long-term, data-driven planning and coordination among the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the SUCs themselves. The undersigned first filed this measure in the 18th Congress to address the persistent infrastructure gaps in public higher education institutions. With the growing urgency to modernize educational facilities and promote inclusive development, its passage remains both timely and necessary. By prioritizing infrastructure development, we equip our public universities and colleges to meet the growing demands of an innovation-driven economy, support inclusive learning for all students, and promote the overall well-being of learners and educators. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. PIA S. CAYETANO ALAM PETER COMPANERO"S. CAVETAND
Lilaira TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P1:15 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 345 Introduced by Senators PIA S. CAYETANO and ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FOR STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Priority Infrastructure
2 for Public Higher Education Institutions Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to protect
4 and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. To this end, the 5 State shall ensure the development of adequate, safe, resilient, and inclusive physical 6 learning environments in State Universities and Colleges (SUCS), recognizing that 7 appropriate educational infrastructure is essential to the intellectual, social, and holistic 8 development of learners.
Sec. 3. Priority Educational Infrastructure. - The Commission on Higher
10 Education (CHED) shall identify priority educational infrastructure for SUCs and shall 11 establish a priority five-year plan, taking into consideration the needs of each SUC.
Sec. 4. Inter-Agency Committee. - There is hereby established an Inter-Agency
13 Committee (IAC) for the monitoring of the implementation of this Act. The IAC shall be headed by the Chairperson of the CHED, with the President of the Philippine 15 Association of State Universities and Colleges as Vice-Chairperson, and the following 16 as members:
a) Department of Budget and Management; b) Department of Public Works and Highways; and c) Department of Economy, Planning, and Development The IAC shall issue implementing guidelines, monitor project implementation, 5 and submit an annual progress report to Congress.
Sec. 5. Appropriation. - The amount of ten billion pesos (Php 10,000,000,000)
7 shall automatically be included in the annual appropriation of CHED for the next five 8 years for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
10 following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,