Merging colleges into Mariano Marcos State University

Policy, purpose, and constitutional basis

The decree declares the constitutional direction to establish and maintain a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to national development goals.
The decree states that Presidential Decree No. 6-A (the Educational Decree of 1972), promulgated on September 29, 1972, directed re-orientation of the educational system toward accelerated rational economic growth and meaningful social development.
The decree states that limited resources must be maximized through integration and conversion of Ilocos Norte higher-learning institutions into one state university.
The decree states that the state university in Ilocos Norte must provide better service in professional and technical training and in scientific research and technological studies.

Merger and transferred college-level courses

Section 1 merges the Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Science and Technology in Batac, Ilocos Norte and the Northern Luzon State College in Laoag, Ilocos Norte into a state university named the Mariano Marcos State University (the University).
Section 1 transfers the college level courses offered by the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades in Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the University.
The decree uses the integrated University as the instrument for development of natural and manpower resources in Ilocos Norte and other provinces of Region I.

University scope, advanced instruction, and student access

Section 2 requires the University to provide advanced instruction in the arts, agricultural and natural sciences, and in technological and professional fields.
Section 7 prohibits denying admission to the University based on age, sex, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.

Governance: Board of Regents structure

Section 3 establishes the University’s governing board as the Board of Regents.
The Board of Regents consists of: the Secretary of Education and Culture as Chairman, the President of the University as Vice-Chairman, a representative of the National Economic Development Authority, and six (6) prominent citizens appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education and Culture.
Section 3 allows the Secretary of Education and Culture, in his absence, to designate a representative to sit in Board meetings.
Section 3 provides staggered initial terms for the first group of six appointive regents: two for two years, two for three years, and two for four years.
Section 3 provides that subsequent appointees hold office for a term of four years, and that in a permanent vacancy the appointee serves only the unexpired term.

Board of Regents: quorum and authority

Section 4 provides that a quorum is a majority of all the members holding office at the time of the meeting.
Section 4 provides that all processes against the University shall be served on the President of the University or his duly authorized representative.
Section 5 provides that Board members receive no compensation but are reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings or authorized official business.
Section 6 grants the Board of Regents powers and duties in addition to general corporate and administration powers, including under Section Thirteen of Act Numbered Fourteen Hundred Fifty-Nine as amended (the Corporation Law).

Core powers and duties of the Board

Under Section 6(a), the Board must prescribe rules for its own government and enact University rules and regulations not contrary to law to carry out the University’s purposes and functions.
Under Section 6(b), the Board must receive and appropriate sums provided for the University’s support for the ends specified by law.
Under Section 6(c), the Board may:
- import duty-free commodities for educational purposes as an exception to existing laws;
- receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal property of all kinds for the University’s benefit or a University department or to aid students consistent with donor instructions;
- administer such donations under Board discretion when donor instructions are lacking.
Section 6(c) requires that donations be exempt from all taxes and treated as deductible items from the income tax of donors.
Under Section 6(d), the Board must approve the curricula and rules of discipline drawn by the College Councils.
Under Section 6(e), the Board may:
- confer degrees on successful graduates;
- award honorary degrees recognizing learning, public service, statesmanship, or eminence in a specialization field;
- authorize the President to award certificates for completion of non-degree programs.
Under Section 6(f), the Board appoints University officials and employees upon the President’s recommendation, fixes their compensation and service conditions, and may remove them for cause after investigation and hearing, “any provisions of existing laws” to the contrary notwithstanding.
Under Section 6(g), the Board may establish chairs and provide fellowships and scholarships for qualified faculty and deserving students.
Under Section 6(h), the Board must fix tuition, matriculation, graduation, laboratory, and other special fees and charges it deems proper; such fees and charges, including other University income, constitute a special trust fund for the University’s exclusive use, notwithstanding contrary provisions of existing laws.
Under Section 6(i), the Board may authorize the University to construct and/or repair buildings, machinery, equipment, and other facilities, notwithstanding contrary law or executive order, provided the funds come from its appropriations.

University executive officers and councils

Section 8 defines the head of the University as the President of the University.
Section 8 provides that the President is appointed for a term of six (6) years by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education and Culture after consultation with Board members.
Section 8 states that the President’s additional powers and duties are those usually pertaining to a university president.
Section 9 provides that incumbent presidents of integrated institutions continue as Provosts of their respective college or unit until terms and other conditions for Provosts and other University officials and employees are determined by the Board of Regents.
Section 10 creates an Administrative Council composed of the President (Chairman) and the vice-presidents and provosts (Members), charged to prepare and promulgate general policies on personnel, financial management, and development planning, subject to Board of Regents approval.
Section 11 creates a College Council in each college or unit, chaired by the Provost and composed of all faculty of the college, with instructors, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors constituting the college faculty.
Section 11 requires the College Council to prescribe curricula and rules of discipline for Board approval.
Section 11 empowers the College Council to fix admission and graduation requirements and the conferring of degrees, subject to Board review.
Section 11 grants that only the College Council may recommend students or others as degree recipients.
Section 11 provides disciplinary power over students through the President or a duly authorized committee, within Board-approved limits.

Faculty protections and religious test limits

Section 12 exempts University faculty members from any civil service examination or regulation as a prerequisite to appointment.
Section 12 prohibits applying any religious test for appointment of faculty.
Section 12 prohibits inquiry into religious opinions or affiliations for faculty appointment.
Section 12 allows faculty membership but requires that no faculty member teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.

Advisory councils for each college unit

Section 13 establishes an Advisory Council for each college or unit, headed by the Provost.
Section 13 requires each Advisory Council to provide advice and counsel to the Provost on general policy concerning the college or unit’s affairs.
Section 13 provides that existing Board of Regents or Board of Trustees members of integrated institutions continue as members of the Advisory Council of their respective institution, except the Board Chairman, for a term of four (4) years.
Section 13 provides that thereafter, Advisory Council members are appointed by the Board of Regents upon the President’s recommendation.

Treasury, auditing, and transfer of personnel and property

Section 14 makes the Treasurer of the Philippines ex-officio treasurer of the University.
Section 14 requires auditing of all University accounts and expenses by the Commission on Audit or its duly authorized representative.
Section 15 transfers all personnel, assets, records, and appropriations of the integrated institutions to the University.
Section 15 requires maintaining the appropriation of Ilocos Norte College of Agriculture and Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (i.e., those appropriations remain maintained).

Inter-agency loans and detailing of personnel

Section 16 authorizes heads of bureaus and offices of the national government and provincial or city governments in Region I to loan or transfer, upon the University President’s request, apparatus, equipment, and supplies needed by the University.
Section 16 authorizes detailing employees for duty in the University when the head of the bureau or office judges that employees can be spared without serious detriment to public service.
Section 16 provides that detailed employees perform required duties and that their time counts as part of their regular official service.

Implementation steps and annual progress reporting

Section 17 directs the Secretary of Education and Culture to take steps necessary for immediate implementation.
Section 17 authorizes the Secretary to create a technical committee to advise the Board of Regents on proper establishment, development, and expansion of University programs.
Section 18 requires the Board of Regents, on or before the fifteenth day of the second month after the opening of regular classes each year, to file with the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Secretary of Education and Culture a detailed report on the University’s progress, conditions, and needs.

Appropriations and annual funding

Section 19 appropriates Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) from the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the decree’s purposes.
Section 19 requires that thereafter, funds needed for maintenance and continued operation of the University be included in the Annual Appropriation Act.

Repeals and effect of conflicting issuances

Section 20 repeals or amends Presidential Decree Nos. 945, 944 and 614 and other laws, acts, decrees, or executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with the decree.
Section 21 provides immediate effectivity.

Timing and effective date

The decree is done in the City of Manila on January 06, 1978, and takes effect immediately under Section 21.