Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11974)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 11974 is to establish a College of Medicine in the Visayas State University (VSU) located in the City of Baybay, Province of Leyte, to be known as the Visayas State University-College of Medicine, and to appropriate funds for this purpose.
The College is mandated to primarily offer a Doctor of Medicine Program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program, consisting of basic science and clinical courses using a learner-centered, competency-based, and community-oriented approach.
The governance of the College is vested in the Board of Regents of the Visayas State University (VSU), whose powers are defined under Republic Act No. 9437 and other applicable laws and regulations.
The Dean is appointed by the Board of Regents upon the recommendation of the President of the VSU, following a consultation process with the constituents of the College. The Dean serves a full-time service term of three (3) years and may be reappointed for another term.
Faculty appointments must follow the guidelines set by the Board and no political belief, sex, gender, cultural affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion shall be questions in their appointment. Additionally, faculty members cannot teach for or against any religious denomination.
The College shall provide scholarships and affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students. Students availing scholarships under the 'Doktor Para sa Bayan Act' and other nationally funded programs may be required to render return service. No student shall be denied admission based on sex, gender, religion, cultural or community affiliation, physical disability, or ethnic origin.
The College shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional authority pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution.
The importation of medical books, publications, equipment, and instruments for medical and scientific purposes is exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification. Additionally, all grants, donations, and contributions used directly for educational purposes are exempt from donor's tax and are deductible from gross income for the donor's taxable income computation.
Before establishing the College and offering new or revised related courses, the VSU must ensure full compliance with CHED's applicable policies, standards, and guidelines.
All appropriations, assets, personnel, and records of the College, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be titled or named after the VSU. Government lands occupied by the College shall be property of the VSU, and if the VSU ceases to exist or the land is no longer needed, ownership reverts to the City of Baybay or the Republic of the Philippines.