Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8562)
Republic Act No. 8562 is titled "An Act Converting the Medina Lacson de Leon School of Arts and Trades in the Municipality of Balanga, Province of Bataan, into a Chartered State College, to be Known as the Bataan Polytechnic State College, Integrating Therewith the Bataan Community Colleges in the Municipality of Balanga, Province of Bataan, and Appropriating Funds Therefor."
The Medina Lacson de Leon School of Arts and Trades and the Bataan Community Colleges, both located in the Municipality of Balanga, Province of Bataan, were integrated to form the Bataan Polytechnic State College.
The State College shall primarily provide higher professional, technical, and special instruction and promote technological studies, scientific researches, advanced studies, and progressive leadership in education, engineering, science, arts, humanities, and other relevant fields.
The State College may offer undergraduate programs, short-term courses within its specialization area, and graduate courses as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees to meet the needs of the province.
The existing high school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. However, it may remain and operate on the State College campus for up to six years post-approval of the Act until relocated or students accommodated elsewhere.
The general powers of administration and the exercise of corporate powers of the State College are vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees and the President of the State College as authorized by the Board.
The Board is composed of the CHED Chairman (chairman), President of the State College (vice chairman), Chairmen of Education Committees from the Senate and House, Regional Directors of NEDA and DOST, Presidents of the faculty association, student council, and alumni association, and two prominent citizens selected from a list provided by a search committee.
The president of the State College serves a four-year term, appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation from a search committee, and may be reappointed for one additional term based on performance.
The Board may enact rules and regulations as needed, set admission and graduation policies, receive and appropriate funds, fix tuition and fees, authorize construction and property acquisition, appoint officials and employees, approve curricula, confer degrees, enter into joint ventures, and delegate powers, among others.
Board members do not receive a salary but are entitled to a per diem of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per meeting attended, not exceeding an aggregate of Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) monthly, plus reimbursement for necessary expenses.
Faculty members are prohibited under penalty of dismissal from attempting to influence students or others towards any ideology that advocates the overthrow of the government through violence or subversion.
No, no student shall be denied admission to the State College on the basis of sex, ethnic consideration, religious, or political affiliation.
The Commission on Audit or its authorized representatives shall audit all accounts and expenses of the State College.
All assets, personnel, records, liabilities, and obligations of both institutions, except those belonging to the high schools, are transferred to the State College. Personnel retain their positions and security of tenure, local residents have hiring preference for vacancies, and government lands are titled under the State College.
The academic council, chaired by the president, prescribes curricula and disciplinary rules, determines admission and graduation requirements, recommends conferring degrees, and oversees student discipline within established rules, subject to Board approval.