Policy, scope, and academic mandate
- Section 2 establishes PRMSU as a comprehensive state university primarily providing advance and higher professional, technical and special instructions in education and technology, engineering and architecture, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, public administration and management, business and accountancy, economics and finance, tourism, hospitality and culinary management, creative industries, humanities, arts and sciences, information and communications technology, maritime education, law and legal management, medicine and health-related programs, peace and security programs, and other related fields of study.
- Section 2 requires PRMSU to undertake research and extension for sustainable development of the Province of Zambales, the region, and the country.
- Section 2 requires PRMSU to undertake income generation programs for the sustainable development of the Province of Zambales, the region, and the country.
Expanded program offerings and authority
- Section 3 authorizes PRMSU to offer undergraduate and graduate programs in education, technology, engineering and architecture, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, public administration and management, business and accountancy, economics and finance, tourism, hospitality and culinary management, creative industries, humanities, arts and sciences, information and communications technology, maritime education, law and legal management, medicine and health-related programs, peace and security programs, and other relevant programs.
- Section 3 limits the offering of programs “within its areas of specialization” and “according to its capabilities.”
- Section 3 assigns to the Board of Regents the authority to offer programs “as the Board of Regents may deem necessary” to carry out the objectives of PRMSU, to meet the needs of the Province of Zambales, the region, and the country.
Governing Board composition and terms
- Section 4 provides that the governing board is the Board of Regents (the Board).
- Section 4 establishes the Board membership as:
- (a) the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Chairperson;
- (b) the President of the PRMSU as Co-chairperson;
- (c) the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the Senate as member;
- (d) the Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives as member;
- (e) the Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as member;
- (f) the Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as member;
- (g) the Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as member;
- (h) the President of the federation of alumni associations of the University as member;
- (i) the President of the federation of student governments of the University as member;
- (j) the President of the federation of faculty associations of the University as member;
- (k) three (3) prominent Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of duly recognized national or multinational corporations as members; and
- (l) two (2) prominent academicians in the Philippines as members.
- Section 4 requires that the three (3) CEOs and the two (2) academicians be chosen from among a list of at least five (5) qualified persons respectively, recommended by a search committee of the University constituted by the University President, in consultation with the Chairperson of CHED, based on normal standards and qualifications for the position.
- Section 4 provides that the three (3) CEOs and the two (2) academicians serve for a term of two (2) years and may be reappointed by the Board of Regents for another term.
University President and transition rule
- Section 5 provides that PRMSU is headed by a President who shall render full-time service.
- Section 5 provides that the President is appointed by the Board, subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board, upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.
- Section 5 requires that the incumbent President of the RMTU serve as the first President of PRMSU until the end of his current term in order to effect a smooth transition.
Transfer of assets, personnel, and land
- Section 6 transfers to PRMSU all assets, real and personal, personnel, and records of the RMTU, and all liabilities or obligations.
- Section 6 requires respect for the positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel employed under existing laws prior to the renaming.
- Section 6 provides that incumbents remain in the same status until otherwise provided for by the Board.
- Section 6 requires that the University include an upgrade or increase in its human resource component.
- Section 6 declares that all parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the RMTU are property of the University and must be titled under the name of the University.
- Section 6 provides that if the University ceases to exist or is abolished, or if such parcels of land are no longer needed by the University, the land reverts to the concerned local government unit (LGU) or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.
Amendments to Republic Act No. 8498
- Section 7 deems Sections 2, 3, 4, and 16 of Republic Act No. 8498 amended or modified accordingly.
Effectivity and publication requirement
- Section 8 provides that the Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
- The Act is Approved: April 20, 2018.
- The Act is signed by RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE as President of the Philippines, and by the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives.