QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9045)
RA 9045 integrates (1) Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology (including branches in specified areas in Batangas), (2) Jose P. Laurel Polytechnic College in Malvar, (3) Apolinario R. Apacible School of Fisheries in Nasugbu, and (4) the Campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sto. Tomas. The main campus is named the Pablo Borbon Campus.
BSU primarily provides advanced instruction and professional training in scientific/technological/special fields (e.g., engineering and technology education, business/economics, agriculture, teacher education, arts and sciences), undertakes research and extension services, and provides progressive leadership in these areas.
BSU may offer undergraduate, graduate, and short-term technical courses within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly to meet needs of the province and region.
The existing high schools are transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of DECS. They may remain and operate within the University campuses until students complete high school; the University may also operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school if it has a college of education.
Administration and the exercise of powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents, which has the general powers of a corporation under the Corporation Law.
The CHED Chairman (chairman); BSU president (vice chairman); Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture chair; House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chair; NEDA Regional Director where BSU’s main campus is located; DOST Regional Director where BSU’s main campus is located; presidents of the federations of faculty associations, student councils, and alumni associations; and two prominent citizens from Batangas chosen from at least five qualified persons by a search committee (with recommendations involving CHED).
The two prominent citizens serve for two (2) years. In case of vacancy in the office of the president of a federation, an officer-in-charge designated by the Board serves only for the unexpired term.
The CHED Chairman is the Board chair. For quorum, CHED Chairman must be present; otherwise, a duly designated CHED Commissioner may represent him with full rights. The President serves as the presiding officer in the meeting when CHED Chairman is represented, but CHED Chairman may authorize a commissioner to act as regular chair and presiding officer.
A majority of all members holding office constitutes quorum, with the condition that the CHED Chairman (or his designated CHED commissioner representative) is among those present. The provisions also address presiding authority depending on CHED Chairman’s presence/authorization.
The President is appointed by the Board upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The term is four (4) years, eligible for reappointment for another term.
The Board designates an officer-in-charge pending appointment of a new President.
The Board fixes tuition fees and other school fees/charges after due consultations. Fees, including government subsidies and other University income, constitute special trust funds deposited in an authorized government depository bank; interests accrue to the same fund. Income may be disbursed for instruction, research, extension, or other programs/projects, with fiduciary fees disbursed for their specific purposes.
Assets, fixed/movable property, personnel, records, and liabilities of the integrated institutions are transferred to BSU. However, positions and security of tenure of personnel under existing laws before absorption are not impaired. Incumbent personnel remain in their same status until otherwise provided by the Board.
Parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the integrated institutions are declared property of BSU and are to be titled under BSU’s name. If BSU ceases to exist/abolished or land is no longer needed, the lands revert to the provinces, municipalities, or cities where they are located.
The Treasurer of the Philippines is the ex officio treasurer of the University.
No religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in faculty appointments. However, no faculty member shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
RA 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) forms an integral part of RA 9045 and together serves as the governing charter of the University.