UP charter bill enactment seen early next year

 Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the House committee on higher and technical education, expressed optimism that the University of the Philippines charter bill will be passed into law early next year.

The UP charter bill would be deliberated upon at the bicameral conference committee chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Villar. The House passed its version of the bill, authored by Villar, on third reading last Oct. 12.

The Senate hopes to pass the bill on third reading this week before sessions end for the Christmas break.

Villar has been vigorously pushing for the bill’s enactment since the 13th Congress. The UP charter bill, she said, is a timely response to the clamor for charter revision that has been raised within the university community.

“This is a product of widespread consultation among all sectors, including the faculty, students, professional and administrative staff and alumni. We are now moving to a new era of global educational system. UP’s charter must go hand-in-hand with the school’s image as a bastion of academic freedom and excellence,” she stressed.

Under the bill, UP shall be referred to as the national university that will lead in setting academic standards in teaching, research and faculty development. It will serve as a graduate university by providing advanced studies and specialization for scholars, scientists, writers, artists and professionals.

“The bill also ensures democratic access through the equitable admission process to enhance the access of disadvantaged students, such as indigenous people and deserving students from depressed areas, to its programs and services,” Villar added.

The bill also recognizes the professional and economic rights and welfare both of its academic and non-academic personnel.