Senate OKs 12 local bills converting, establishing schools across Philippines

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading 12 local bills that seek to convert and establish schools across the Philippines.

There are:

• House Bill No. 6553 or the Bataan Peninsula State University-Batac Campus Act
• House Bill No. 6552 or the Leyte Normal University (LNU)- San Isidro Campus Act
• House Bill No. 6128 or the Pampanga State Agricultural University-Floridablanca Campus Act
• House Bill No. 7091 or the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-Parañaque City Campus Act
• House Bill No. 6704 or the Benguet State University-College of Medicine Act
• House Bill No. 7087 or the Southern Luzon State University-College of Medicine Act
• House Bill No. 7088 or the University of Eastern Philippines- College of Medicine Act
• House Bill No. 7090 or the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- South La Union Campus- College of Medicine Act
• House Bill No. 7412 or the Visayas State University-College of Medicine Act
• House Bill No. 7961 or the Revised Bulacan State University Charter
• House Bill No. 7397 or the Bicol University- College of Veterinary Medicine
• House Bill No. 7398 or the Southern Luzon State University- Catanauan Campus- College of Veterinary Medicine

Senator Francis Escudero, chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and sponsor of the measures, said the elevation of these schools into regular campuses would give them certain autonomous decision-making prerogatives.

Escudero added that the devolution of their powers would be advantageous for their future as it would invite local stakeholders to engage more and be involved in affairs that are an integral part of their educational system.

The senator also said amendments to the measures, which emanated from the House of Representatives, will improve them by including key provisions that are tailored towards the achievement of desired quality standards expected of a higher institute of learning.

"The conversion and establishment of these campuses are driven not only by egalitarian motives of democratizing access to its portals but in making sure that it is attended with excellence," Escudero said.

"As a province grows, so must the school grow so it can train and require human capital to propel its progress. Education is a development imperative. These bills ensure that it is for the present and for the future of these areas and those who dwell therein," Escudero added. — BM, GMA Integrated News