Policy intent and development rationale
- The decree states constitutional policy that the State shall establish and maintain an integrated system of education relevant to national development goals and that educational institutions shall develop scientific, technological and vocational efficiency.
- The decree anchors its educational reorientation on Presidential Decree No. 6-A (Educational Development Decree of 1972), which declared a policy to reorient education toward accelerated national economic growth and meaningful social development.
- The decree identifies Western Mindanao as comprising the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, and Pagadian, and Zamboanga.
- The decree declares that an adequate system of tertiary public education is an instrument of “the New Society,” facilitating socio-economic upliftment and equitable sharing of the country’s wealth and income.
- The decree links WMSU’s establishment to regional development, relief of Manila from congestion and related problems, and promotion of socio-economic advancement of cultural communities in the region.
Scope, coverage, and organizational transformation
- Section 1 provides that Zamboanga State College is converted into Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).
- Section 2 provides that WMSU is composed of the presently existing academic departments and institutes, administrative and supportive units, and external units of Zamboanga State College.
- Section 2 requires reorganization and renaming of academic departments and institutes, including:
- Graduate Department → Graduate School
- Institute of Arts and Sciences → College of Arts and Sciences, College of Forestry, and College of Social Work
- Institute of Education (including High School department and Laboratory School) → College of Education
- Institute of Nursing → College of Nursing
- Institute of Engineering → College of Engineering and Technology
- External studies at Dipolog City → External Unit at Zamboanga del Norte
- External studies at Tawi-Tawi → External Unit at Tawi-Tawi
- External studies at Sulu → External Unit at Sulu
- Section 2 authorizes the later organization of additional colleges, departments, or units, including College of Agriculture, College of Medicine, and external units at Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan Province, as part of WMSU.
Academic purpose and research mandate
- Section 3 states the main purpose of WMSU is to provide leadership in professional and technical instruction in the arts, sciences, and technology aligned with national and regional development goals.
- Section 3 requires WMSU to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in arts and sciences, education, medical sciences, agriculture and forestry, engineering and technology, and other courses necessary to meet the region’s trained manpower needs.
- Section 3 directs WMSU to promote research across disciplines for advancement of knowledge and for socio-economic and cultural development of the region.
- Section 11 establishes a University Research Center to coordinate and integrate research activities of academic units and faculty, and to plan research programs based on the university’s needs.
University corporate powers and governance structure
Section 4 provides that WMSU has the general powers set forth in Section Thirteen of Act numbered Fourteen Hundred Fifty-nine, as amended.
Section 4 vests the exercise of corporate powers exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University in so far as authorized by the Board.
Section 4 grants WMSU the power to acquire public lands and real estate for expansion and/or beneficial use, and to purchase motor vehicles, conveyances, and other facilities and equipment needed for university operations.
Section 5(a) establishes that governance is vested in a Board of Regents of seven (7) members:
- Three (3) regular members (Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines), including:
- the President of the University Alumni Association
- two (2) from the private sector appointed by the President of the Philippines (including one (1) well known educator who belongs to a cultural minority in the region)
- Four (4) ex-officio members:
- Secretary of Education and Culture as Chairman
- Regional Commissioner for Region IX
- Executive Director of the NEDA for Region IX
- the President of the University
- Three (3) regular members (Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines), including:
Section 5(a) provides that regular members serve a term of four years, and that vacancies are filled by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Board to serve only the unexpired term.
Section 5(a) sets compensation for regular members: PHP 100 per meeting actually attended, with a cap of PHP 200 per month per member.
Section 5(a) provides that besides per diem, members (together with ex-officio members) are reimbursed for actual but necessary expenses incurred in attendance upon meetings or performing other official business authorized by Board resolution.
Section 5(b) provides that a quorum consists of a majority of all members holding office at the time the meeting is called.
Section 5(b) requires service of “all processes against the Board of Regents” to be made on the Chairman or secretary thereof.
Board powers, president powers, and internal bodies
Section 5(c) empowers the Board of Regents to:
- set regular meeting dates and times and special meetings, but not more than once in any month and not less than once in any one quarter
- recommend the President of the University for appointment by the President of the Philippines, to serve for six years, subject to reappointment with a limit that the term shall not extend beyond age 65
- fix the compensation of the President subject to pertinent budget and compensation laws, rules, and regulations
- provide and appropriate sums for university support as may be provided by law
- establish colleges and schools as it deems necessary
- receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal property and administer them for the University, a department, or students in accordance with donor directions, or otherwise as the Board determines
- appoint, on the recommendation of the President, vice presidents, directors, deans, secretary, registrars, department heads, division chiefs, and other university employees; fix compensation, hours of service, duties, and conditions subject to applicable budget and compensation rules; grant leave of absence under regulations promulgated by the Board; and remove for cause after investigation and hearing
- approve courses of study and rules of discipline drawn by the University Council
- fix tuition fees, matriculation fees, fees for laboratory courses, graduation fees, and all special fees; reappropriate and utilize the same for university operation; and utilize annual appropriations and other incomes for maintenance of the University
- provide fellowships to qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students
- establish chairs in the colleges, provide for maintenance and endowment of such chairs, and provide for other academic positions as progress of instruction requires, including fixing corresponding compensation
- confer honorary degrees upon persons other than university graduates for learning, statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or arts, provided the degrees are not conferred in consideration of payment or other valuable consideration
- file a detailed report with the President of the Philippines on or before the fifteenth day of September each year, setting forth the progress, conditions, and needs of the University
Section 6 vests university administration in the President of the University who renders full-time service.
Section 6 provides that the President is appointed by the President of the Philippines, and is assisted by a Vice President for Academic Affairs and a Vice President for Administrative Affairs appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President.
Section 7 grants the President additional powers and duties, including:
- recommending to the Board for appointment certain officers and employees
- promulgating general ordinances and regulations for university governance, not contrary to law and consistent with university purpose
- calling special meetings of the Board of Regents when need arises
Section 8 requires the Board to appoint a secretary for both the Board and the University, and to keep records designated by the Board and the President.
Section 9 establishes a University Council consisting of the President and all faculty members holding ranks of professor, associate professor, and assistant professor.
Section 9 provides that, subject to existing laws and Board approval, the Council:
- prescribes courses of study and rules of discipline
- fixes admission requirements, graduation requirements, and requirements for conferring degrees
- exercises disciplinary power over students through the President or Executive Committee within Board-approved rules of discipline
Section 9 creates an Executive Committee (deans and directors of colleges and schools) that acts in an advisory capacity to the President on matters requiring advice.
Section 10 creates a University Planning Center with:
- a director and committees on curriculum, studentry, staff development, recruitment and utilization, university plant, and external affairs
- appointments made by the President of the University
Section 10 requires the Planning Center to assist the President in planning expansion, growth, development, and proper management and operation consistent with national development and educational demands.
Research center, officers, faculty rights, and limits
Section 11 creates a University Research Council composed of:
- the Vice-President for Academic Affairs as ex-officio Chairman
- the Dean of the University Research Center
- Deans of the different Colleges/Schools as members
Section 11 requires the Research Council to formulate and recommend to the President policies and guidelines for research coordination and rules necessary for an integrated and effective research program.
Section 11 provides that the University Research Center is headed by a Dean appointed by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the President; the Dean implements policies and rules approved by the President and has overall responsibility, supervision, and control of Center activities and personnel, assisted by chiefs and other personnel of the divisions.
Section 12 defines the Officers of Administration as:
- President
- Vice-President for Academic Affairs
- Vice-President for Administrative Affairs
- Deans of the different colleges
- Secretary of the University
- Director of Administrative Affairs
- Dean of the University Research Center
- Dean of Extension Services
- Dean of External Studies
- Dean of Admissions
- Dean of Student Affairs
Section 13 recognizes the faculty: the professors and instructors of each college constitute its faculty, and each faculty is chaired by a college dean appointed by the Board on nomination of the President.
Section 13 prohibits religious testing in appointment: no religious tests shall be required, and no religious opinion or affiliations shall be made a matter of examination or inquiry.
Section 13 grants academic freedom to the University.
Section 13 prohibits university personnel from inculcating sectarian tenets in teaching and from directly or indirectly influencing students for or against any church or religious sect; dismissal by the Board of Regents is the penalty for violation.
Section 13 provides that faculty and other personnel of Zamboanga State College are absorbed as employees of WMSU without reduction in position, rank, or salary.
Civil service exemption and auditing oversight
- Section 14 exempts the President, professors, and instructors of the University from civil service examination or civil service regulation as a requisite to appointment.
- Section 14 preserves their rights and privileges, including security of tenure, promotion in position and salaries for meritorious service, sabbatical leave, leaves and retirement benefits, as provided for government service by law.
- Section 15 makes the Auditor General of the Philippines an ex-officio Auditor of the University.
- Section 15 requires the Auditor General to designate a representative who must hold a regular office in the University to perform duties efficiently and satisfactorily as a regular official.
Board of visitors and property/appropriations transfers
Section 16 establishes a Board of Visitors composed of:
- the President of the Republic of the Philippines
- the First Lady of the Philippines
- the Secretary of Education and Culture
- the Regional Commissioner for Western Mindanao
Section 16 assigns the Board of Visitors duties to:
- attend commencement exercises
- conduct visits at other times as they deem proper
- examine the property
- look into the state of finances
- inspect all books of accounts
- report and recommend to the President of the Philippines
Section 17(a) transfers the appropriation of Zamboanga State College at the time of conversion to WMSU.
Section 17(a) directs that thereafter funds for university maintenance be included in the Annual Budget of the National Government, with the total sum recommended by the Board of Regents.
Section 17(b) transfers all public works appropriations earmarked for Zamboanga State College to WMSU.
Section 17(b) requires that such public works appropriations be continuously allotted to the University and included in the Public Works Decree.
Section 18 transfers WMSU all assets (fixed and movable) and records of Zamboanga State College.
Section 18 transfers a tract of twenty or more hectares in San Ramon, Zamboanga City, administered by the Philippine Coconut Authority, to WMSU to be used as the site for the College of Agriculture.
Implementation, repeal, and separability
- Section 19(a) directs the Secretary of Education and Culture to take necessary steps for immediate implementation of the decree.
- Section 19(b) repeals, modifies, or amends all laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the decree.
- Section 20 provides immediate effectivity upon issuance on June 10, 1978.