Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11755)
Republic Act No. 11755, enacted on April 27, 2022, provides the legal basis for converting the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) and integrating it with the North Luzon Philippines State College into the University of Ilocos Philippines (UIP).
The new state university formed by the integration is named the University of Ilocos Philippines (UIP).
The main campus of the University of Ilocos Philippines is located in the City of Candon, Province of Ilocos Sur.
The UIP is mandated to provide advanced education, higher professional and technological instruction, technical and vocational education and training in humanities, engineering, science and technology, agriculture, business and entrepreneurship, and other relevant fields. It shall also undertake research, extension services, and production activities to support socioeconomic development in Ilocos Sur and Region I.
UIP may offer short-term technical-vocational, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs in agriculture, education, business administration, culture and arts, technology, engineering, architecture, health sciences, criminal justice education, and other relevant fields.
The Board of Regents is the governing body of the UIP, chaired by the Chairperson of CHED and co-chaired by the President of the UIP. Members include the chairpersons of relevant Senate and House committees, regional directors of NEDA, DOST, DA, TESDA, federation presidents of faculty, students, alumni, and two prominent citizens from the private sector.
The Board has extensive powers including promulgation of policies, approval of curricula, appointment of officials, fixing salaries and tuition fees, establishment of research centers, entering joint ventures, adopting socialized tuition fees, receiving donations, and ensuring academic freedom and institutional autonomy among others.
The Board of Regents must convene at least once every three months. A quorum requires the majority of all members holding office with the Chairperson of the Board or the President of UIP present.
The UIP shall be headed by a President appointed by the Board for a term of four years, with eligibility for reappointment. The first President may be the incumbent ISPSC President if qualified.
Section 15 of Republic Act No. 11755 guarantees academic freedom and institutional autonomy to the UIP pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The UIP shall establish scholarship and affirmative action programs for poor but deserving students and shall not deny admission based on gender, religion, cultural or ethnic origin as provided in Section 16.
All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of ISPSC and NLPSC are transferred to the UIP. Faculty and personnel retain their positions and tenure rights, and land titled to ISPSC and NLPSC are declared UIP property, reverting to LGU or Republic if UIP ceases to exist.
The importation of books and publications for educational purposes by UIP is exempt from customs duties. Donations, grants, and contributions to UIP used exclusively for education are exempt from donor's tax and deductible for the donor under the National Internal Revenue Code.
The conversion becomes effective only upon CHED's determination and declaration that ISPSC has complied with university requirements as set forth in CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, including faculty qualifications, comprehensive degree offerings, research capabilities, learning resources, and linkages.
RA 11755 establishes several research centers including Fisheries and Aquamarine Resources Research Center, Forest Advancement and Resources Management Research Center, Center for Rural Health Research, Animal Research Center, Tobacco and Agricultural Research Center, Indigenous People Education Research Center, and Public Administration and Governance Policy Research Center.