University News

What will change? 3 key takeaways in the last NPU Bill Forum

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

The Philippine Congress unanimously passed House Bill No. 11341 and Senate Bill No. 2669, jointly known as the NPU Bill—a bill amending the previous charter of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), elevating its status into a National Polytechnic University (NPU).

If enacted into law, PUP will join the ranks of University of the Philippines (UP), Mindanao State University (MSU), and Batangas State University (BatStateU) as state universities which hold a national university status.

The monumental bill will introduce significant changes into the institution. In response, union leaders and Board of Regents (BOR) representatives held a forum on March 7 to discuss the salient provisions of the NPU Bill with PUP employees and inform them of its impact on the Sintang Paaralan.

Invited as resource persons were University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman, Vice President for Administration (VPA) Prof. Adam V. Ramilo, and University Chief Legal Counsel Atty. Joanna Marie A. Liao. Atty. Liao discussed the salient provisions of the bill while the executive officials joined the open forum.

Here are the three (3) takeaways on the NPU Bill Forum.

1. An elevated status means institutional and fiscal autonomy

Atty. Liao stated that the University will be granted institutional autonomy, allowing for flexibility in curriculum design and program offerings. Additionally, it would gain fiscal autonomy, providing greater freedom in financial distribution to support professional growth, student and staff welfare, and other essential services.

The NPU Bill will also strengthen PUP’s academic freedom, research, and technology initiatives. It will provide a broader representation in the BOR for better governance by adding seats for the administrative staff and to the Secretaries of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Furthermore, it will grant an additional budget of 100 million pesos for campus development.

This bill, as highlighted by the officials, is expected to bring positive effects to the PUP Community. Faculty members will benefit from enhanced job security, improved salaries, increased research opportunities, and a clearer promotion system. Administrative staff will also experience job retention benefits, higher incomes, and improved workplace technology.

Additionally, students will have access to expanded academic programs, better facilities, increased scholarships, and the continued availability of night school options.

2. NPU Bill misconceptions were debunked and clarified

The NPU Bill has always been a controversial topic among the PUP community, sparking various debates and heated conversations.

Addressing these concerns, PUP’s Chief Legal Counsel clarified that the University will not be commercialized, rather it only allows for the outsourcing of non-academic services and joint ventures, as authorized by the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997. Should such ventures unfold, they must follow the standards set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Also, when discussing the rumored tuition fee hike, Liao assured that it will not automatically increase, as any changes require consultation with the BOR which includes the students’ representatives. Further, the Free Tuition Law (FTL) guarantees free education for PUPians.

Additionally, NPU will help PUP in securing land titles on government properties it occupies to protect its assets.

And, contrary to popular belief, the name PUP will not be renamed the National Polytechnic University; the bill aims to change its status, not its name.

3. Solidarity of the Administrative Staff and Faculty

PUP employees have expressed strong support for the NPU Bill. Unyon ng Nagkakaisang Kawani sa PUP (UNAKA-PUP) President Rodrigo R. Quilingan emphasized that the forum helped employees understand the bill’s significance for the university.

When asked about the bill, Rowel R. Birion of the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (OCPS) stated that it presents an opportunity for administrative staff to get better salaries which could lead to a more motivated workforce and greater job security.

Assoc. Prof. Artemus G. Cruz of the College of Social Sciences and Development (CSSD) remarked that the passage of the NPU Bill will serve as a great incentive for faculty members to engage in more research, extension services, and instructional materials development.

President Muhi, acknowledging the positive response, thanked everyone, and reassured that the NPU Bill’s passing will benefit the entire PUP community.

“Sana po ay kaisa po namin kayo dito sa National Polytechnic University Bill. Alam naman po natin na ito po ay para sa kapakinabangan ng buong Unibersidad, hindi lamang po sa mga empleyado, hindi lamang po sa mga faculty members, kundi, higit sa lahat, ay para sa mga estudyante at sa mga darating pa na mga estudyante sa susunod na mga henerasyon.”

(We hope that you stand with us in support of the National Polytechnic University Bill. We all know that this is for the benefit of the entire university—not just for the employees, not just for the faculty members, but most importantly, for the students and the future generations of students to come.)

_{(Note: English Translation and Grammar Check generated by AI.)}