Presidential Decree 1312
CONVERTING THE MINDANAO INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO.
WHEREAS, the constitution of the
Philippines directs the State to establish and maintain a complete, adequate
and integrated system of education relevant to the goals of national development,
and further prescribes that all educational institutions shall aim, among other
things, to develop scientific, technological and vocational efficiency;
WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 6-A,
promulgated on September 29, 1972, it has been declared a policy of the
Government to orient the educational system towards an accelerated national
economic growth;
WHEREAS, the southern part of Mindanao
needs a state university to help in accelerating the socio-economic development
of the region;
WHEREAS, the Mindanao Institute of
Technology, established under Republic Act Numbered Seven Hundred Sixty Three
as amended by Republic Act Numbered Four Thousand One Hundred Twenty Seven,
situated in the Municipality of Kabacan, Province of North Cotabato, has achieved
a high degree of development that it is now capable of rendering greater
service to the people of Mindanao;
WHEREAS, the Institute is strategically
located, being situated at the intersection of the highways connecting the
cities of Cotabato, Davao and Cagayan de Oro and, therefore, very accessible to
students from the different parts of Mindanao;
WHEREAS, the Conversion of the Mindanao
Institute of Technology into a University which broadens its curricular
offerings would permit the enrollment of more students in different higher
education courses, thus hastening the integration of Christians, Muslims, and
other cultural communities in Southern Mindanao;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS,
President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the
Constitution, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972,
as amended, do hereby order and decree to be part of the laws of the land the
following:
Section 1. The present Mindanao Institute
of Technology, located in the Municipality of Kabacan, Province of North
Cotabato, is hereby converted into the University of Southern Mindanao (USM).
Section 2. The University shall have the
following major functions:
(a) Provide programs of instruction and professional training primarily
in the fields of science and technology, specially in agriculture and
industrial fields;
(b) Promote advance studies, research and extension services and
progressive leadership in all fields of agriculture, including agribusiness,
foods and nutrition, fishery, forestry, animal and veterinary sciences,
engineering, industrial education, and other courses needed in the
socio-economic development of Mindanao;
(c) Develop courses at the graduate level along its fields of
specialization to respond to the needs of development workers in the academic
community in the region;
(d) Provide non-formal education and undertake vigorous extension and
research programs in food production, nutrition, health and sports development;
and
(e) Offer scholarships and/or part-time job opportunities to deserving
students from low-income families.
Section 3. The University of Southern
Mindanao shall have the general powers of a corporation set forth in the
Corporation Law, and the administration of such University and the exercise of
its corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and in the
President of the University insofar as authorized by said Board.
Section 4. The head of the University shall
be known as the President of the University of Southern Mindanao. He shall be
appointed by the Board of Regents for a term of six years with a contingent
appointment of University Professor in his discipline and a compensation to be
fixed by the said Boards. The powers and duties of the President of the
University, in addition to those specifically provided for in this decree,
shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of the
University.
Section 5. The governing body of the
University shall be the Board of Regents of the University of Southern
Mindanao.
(a) The Board of Regents shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the
establishment of the University of Southern Mindanao shall aim at the speedy
realization of the goals above indicated;
(b) To facilitate this objective, there shall be a Board of Regents of
eight members composed of:
1. Secretary,
Department of Education and Culture Chairman
2. University
President Vice-Chairman
3. Director
for Regional Planning, National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) Member
4. President
of the USM Alumni Association Member
5. One
prominent Muslim of the Region to be appointed by the President of the
Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education and Culture Member
6. Secretary,
Department of Agriculture Member
7. Chairman,
National Science Development Board Member
8. A
representative of the USM Student Body Member
(c) Members of the Board shall serve without compensation in any form
whatsoever, whether as salary, honorarium, allowances or other emoluments; Provided,
however, that actual and necessary expenses incurred either in attendance upon
meeting of the Board or upon other official business duly authorized by the
Board may be reimbursed by the members.
Section 6. In addition to its general
powers of administration, the Board of Regents shall have the following powers
and duties:
(a) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the President, the following:
1. The Secretary of the University, and other officers of administration
therein;
2. The deans, directors, or heads of colleges, schools, institutes and
other principal units of the University, academic or non-academic, which are
not supervised by or attached to such units;
3. Faculty members with the rank of associate professor or higher,
professional lecturers, visiting or exchange faculty; and other officers and
employees whose starting salaries are at least equal to that of associate
professor, insofar as the following personnel actions are involved: original
appointments; reappointments/renewal/transfer with change in rank or salaries;
and promotion or salary increases.
(b) To plan and provide for the establishment of schools, colleges, and
departments for the professional degrees in agriculture, engineering, home
economics, education, industrial education, forestry, fishery, animal and
veterinary medicine sciences, architecture and other such schools, colleges,
and departments as deemed necessary; and advanced or graduate degrees along the
foregoing fields.
(c) To authorize and appropriate revolving funds for the operation and
management of all university income producing projects and to promulgate rules
and regulations for the operation and management of the same and for the
accounting and auditing of their funds, income and expenses, any provisions of
law to the contrary notwithstanding.
(d) To admit to the University, public institutions of learning in
Southern Mindanao which may desire to affiliate as schools or colleges or
branches of the University; Provided, That such institutions are eligible for
affiliation and that such affiliation will enhance the purposes of the
University.
(e) To authorize the construction and repair of all university buildings
and other permanent improvements under the direct administration and
supervision of the University, upon recommendation of the President.
(f) To promulgate policies, rules and regulations necessary for the
effective and efficient governance of the university, delegate certain
authorities and responsibilities to the President as deemed appropriate, and
prescribe rule under which the President can enter into contracts without prior
approval of the Board of Regents, for the acquisition of properties and
services, and purchase of equipment and supplies not exceeding certain cost or
value; Provided, that all such contracts shall be reported to the Board of
Regents and purchase of equipment and supplies not exceeding certain cost or
value; Provided, that all such contracts shall be reported to the Board of
Regents.
Section 7. The President shall be the chief
executive of the University and shall have the following powers and
responsibilities:
(a) To provide leadership for the University and shall preserve and
protect its academic integrity and ensure the observance and implementation of
the policies laid down by the Board of Regents.
(b) To exercise within the framework of University policies primary
authority and responsibility over the following areas: development planning and
resource allocations; grants, endowments and fund raising; external relations
and public affairs; and University policy relating to regional development
programs, curricula, and matters affecting the rights, privileges,
responsibilities and welfare of the University constituency.
(c) To formulate integrated and comprehensive plans for the University,
including academic, research, extension, physical development, and fiscal
plans.
(d) To coordinate the activities and programs of the University with the
other component units and institutions, and have under review goals and
objectives of the various units and institutions, appraise their performance in
relation to goals, and recommend appropriate action by the Board of Regents.
(e) To appoint officers, faculty members, and other employees in the
University, subject to Section 6 of this decree; and to designate
officers-in-charge of the units therein for a period not exceeding two months,
without prejudice to the authority granted deans and directors to designate
officers-in-charge their respective units.
(f) To appoint, transfer or promote personnel of the University as
herein below provided; fix their work schedules; grant leaves of absence; and
approve their special detail, additional assignments, additional compensation,
resignation and retirement in accordance with the policies approved by the
Board of Regents.
(g) To set up machinery for review of all disciplinary actions
appealable to the Office of the President, and for the consideration of
positions for redress of grievances.
(h) To submit to the Board of Regents the course of study and academic
programs, rules of discipline, and awards of degrees and diplomas as
recommended by the University Council.
(i) To award fellowships, assistantships and scholarships to students,
faculty members and other personnel, in accordance with the policies prescribed
by the Board of Regents.
(j) To plan, prepare and implement a University program for the training
and education of adult citizens and out-of-school youths.
(k) To negotiate and obtain grants for specific projects, gifts and
donations of real or personal property of all kinds, subject to the
confirmation of the Board of Regents, and to administer the same for the benefit
of the University, its units, departments, or students in accordance with the
directions and instructions of the donor, and in default thereof, in such
manner as the Board of Regents may in its discretion determines.
(l) To maintain links with other academic and research institutions as
to ensure fruitful academic and technical interchange and maximize the use of
human and physical resources.
(m) To prepare for approval of the Board of Regents the budget of the
University.
(n) To submit to the Board of Regents annual report on the operation of
the University, and such other reports as the latter may require.
(o) To prescribe rules and regulations not contrary to law for the
governance of the University consistent with its purposes and the policies laid
down by the Board of Regents.
(p) To exercise such other powers and discharge such other
responsibilities as may be delegated to him by the Board of Regents; Provided,
that he shall institute or effect an appropriate and efficient exercise or
discharge such powers or responsibilities as may be necessary for the
expeditious administration of the University.
Section 8. A quorum of the Board of Regents
shall consist of a majority of all the members holding office at the time the
meeting is called. All processes against the Board of Regents shall be served
on the President or secretary thereof.
Section 9. There shall be a secretary of
the University, who shall serve concurrently as the Secretary of the Board of
Regents.
Section 10. There shall be a University
Council consisting of the President, Vice-President/s, Deans, Heads of Academic
Departments, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors. The
President shall be the chairman of the Council.
Subject to the approval of the Board of
Regents, upon the recommendation of the President in accordance with the
policies and standards established by the Board, the University Council shall:
(a) Prescribed the course of study, curricula and rules of discipline of
students;
(b) Fix the requirements for admission to any College or unit of the
University and for graduation and the awarding of degrees;
(c) Recommend recipients of degrees or diplomas;
(d) Exercise disciplinary powers over the students through the President
or its appropriate Committees pursuant to the rules of discipline prescribed by
the Board of Regents; and
(e) Create Committees as it may deem necessary for the performance of
its functions.
Section 11. The instructors and professors
of each College shall constitute its faculty to be presided by a Dean who shall
be selected from among the members of such faculty for a term fixed by the
University Council and conformed by the Board of Regents, upon recommendation
of the President of the University.
Section 12. In the appointment of
instructors or professors to the University, religious opinions or affiliations
shall not be made a matter of inquiry or explanation; Provided, however, that
no instructor or professor shall inculcate sectarian tenets in any of his
teachings nor attempt directly or indirectly, under penalty of dismissal by the
Board of Regents, to influence students or attendants of the University for or
against any particular church, denomination or religious sect; Provided,
further, that no member of the faculty of the University shall attempt directly
or indirectly, under penalty of dismissal by the Board of Regents, to influence
students or attendants of the University towards any ideology, political or
otherwise, which preaches the overthrow of the Government through violence or subversion.
Section 13. Professors or instructors
seeking appointments in the University shall be exempt from Civil Service
Examinations or regulations; provided, however, that copies of their
appointments shall be furnished to the Civil Service Commission for notation
and record purposes.
Section 14. A student shall not be denied
admission to the University by reason of sex, ethnic consideration, religious
belief or affiliation.
Section 15. On or before the fifteenth day
of January of each calendar year, the Board of Regents shall file with the
President of the Philippines a detailed report setting forth the progress,
condition and needs of the University.
Section 16. Heads of Bureaus and Offices of
the National Government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon request
of the President of the University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as
may be needed by the University and to detail employees for duty therein, when
in the judgment of the head of the Bureau of Office, such apparatus, equipment,
supplies or services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment
to the public service. Employees so detailed shall perform such duties as
required under such detail, and the time so employed shall be counted as part
of their official service.
Section 17. The College President and all
the personnel of the Mindanao Institute of Technology, as well as its
unexpended appropriations, and all its assets and liabilities are hereby
automatically absorbed by the University of Southern Mindanao. The position of
College President of the Mindanao Institute of Technology is hereby converted
into University President without the necessity of issuance of new appointment;
Provided, that the six years term starts upon the approval of this decree.
Section 18. In addition to the amount
already appropriated for the Mindanao Institute of Technology, there is hereby
authorized to be appropriated the sum of Twenty (P20) Million Pesos for
purposes of carrying out immediately the provisions of this decree. Hereafter,
the sum of Ten (P10) Million Pesos, in addition to existing budget, shall be
appropriated annually and included in the General Appropriation Act to carry
out the provisions of this Decree.
Section 19. All acts, parts of acts,
executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with
the provisions of this decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.
Section 20. This decree shall take effect
immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-eight. - Pres Ferdinand Marcos
