large distance, about 70 kilometers. In the case of the health sciences, the separation is almost nothing from the geographical standpoint.
"What worries me, Regent Sicar went on, is that if we argue along the line of complexes of related areas or fields, we will probably have a development such as the engineering sciences wanting to have an auro- nomous university by themselves, and perhaps the na- tural sciences likewise and also the public affairs units.
"Regent Tangco emphasized the uniqueness of the problems of the health sciences which have won autonomy in some campuses elsewhere. It is not so much a problem of physical location, he said, because even if the health sciences were here in Diliman, the problem would still bethere.
"Regent Zamora expressed support of Regent's Tangco's view, stating that it would be possible to set up a special treatment for complexes like the health sciences as it would be for Los Banos. There is nothing to prevent us,hesaid, from treating the health sciences differently, particularly in the matter of fiscal autonomy inasmuch as runn-ing a hospital is much more difficult than running an ordinary university unit. This is not to argue, however, for an autonomous university com- prising the health sciences the way it is argued now forlos Banos, the Regent emphasized.
"In face of the issuance of Presidential Decree No.
58, the President raised the basic problem of the Uni- versity: do we expand or do we do the best with what we now have? This raises in particularly the problem of the external units, the President said. The idea behind their establishment was to see how far the University can spread its presence around the country in response to specific community needs. Bur over the past several years, there has not been the response in Tarlac and Cebu that we expected. They have failed to grow.
Therefore, continued the President, we have to review the existing policy. Should we continue to maintain the external units or, as Regent Sicar suggests, should we concentrate our resources on Diliman, Los Banos, and Manila, and close shop elsewhere in the country.
Mindanao can perhaps be left to the Mindanao State University, which is one of the most generously en- dowed universities, being given more money per capita than the U'P. We can leave the Visayas to another University of the Philippines there-s-a State University for the Visayas-c-and just concentrate on the three campuses mentioned.
"What should we do with the external units, the President asked. Should they be under a separate chan- cellor?
"Certain issues are involved here, according to Re- gent Drilon, related to the concept of the University System. We have the issue of size, which is related to the issue of relevance, the issue of how the Univer- sity can be responsive co che needs of the country, and there is the issue of resources that can bemade availa- ble. Within the System, what would be the role of a campus like Los Banos? With respecttothe other units, decision has to be made on the basis of facts and reason and a set of criteria. He would agree offhand, Regent Drilon said, that it would be better to concen- rrate attention and resources rather than spread out,
VOL. III, No. 11
considering the other developments and the other sec.
tors of the educational system.
"Regent Zamora focused on the need to make hard decisions as regards the external units. We will have to decide whether or not we find these units operating under the U.P. standards or not; ifnot, we have to dose shop. As for the President's remarks regarding the South, Regent Zamora stated that the Board should not close its mind to the possibility, being considered in the Office of the President of the Philippines, of the U.P.
operating there, in light of the difficulties being en- countered now with the M.S.U. despite its being more generously endowed than the D.P. In the future, ac- cording to rhe Regent, the decision might be made thai:
M.S.U. would find a better place in Philippine educa- tion under the University of the Philippines than as a separate university.
"Regent Fonacier commented that the University of the Philippines being the national university, its cam- pus should be the whole country and the regions should be so strategically divided as to have several of these to constitute a system. A University of the Philippines can be set up in Northern Luzon, two in the Visayan islands and one in Mindanao, in addition to what we now have in Diliman, Manila and LosBanos.
"Regent Zamora adverted to Regent Sicat's remark chat the U.P. should not have more than two autono- mous universities right now in view of the limited financial resources, and expressed agreement with this view.
"Elaborating upon his earlier remarks in this regard, Regent Sicar said that they were made by him not as a Regent but as a government planner of resources.
Ifwe are going to help the University System to prosper properly, it has tobedone in such a manner that the national government can more effectively channel capi- tal development resourcesto the University, for 'instance for the upgrading of facilities in Diliman. With re- gard to setting up any new university. or even a small exrernal unit. Regent Sicar decried the attendant drain on the resources of the University. He noted ruefully that when a new unit is set up, the first resource allo- cation is one of seeing to it that the faculty in Diliman are made to render external services. The faculty talents that were developed in Diliman are thus spread too thin, and suddenly they become less effective in their role as professors and researchers, reduced as they are to becoming adjuncts co the external services of the University.
"The President summed up the discussions in this wise, with no one taking exception to it. Having regard to the limitation of resources at the present time, we should concentrate on the development of Dillman,
Manila and Los Banos. But we should leave the door open for the development of ocher regional autono- mous universities in other pans of the country. Northern Luzon had been mentioned, the President said, and he would himself allow for the possibility of the further development of Baguio because it has the potential.
For the Visayas, there is Iloilo or Cebu. We have a bigger operation in Iloilo at the moment and eventually perhaps the College of Fisheries might move down there. So, the President continued. we have three poten-
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31, 1972
"
UP. GAZETTE
.167
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rials: Baguio, Iloilo, and possibly M.S.U. as suggested by Regent Zamora.
"Tarlac is eliminated, said Regent Fonacier. Tarlac has to go, the President agreed, it does not respond.
Regent Fonacier added that it 15 time now to plan these things; we had a hard time trying to close Tarlac before, maybe it is easier to do it now.
"The President stated that proposals would be pre- pared Consonant with the preliminary guidelines pro- vided by the Board in the course of the discussions during this meeting. For his part, Regent Sicat said that he considered these discussions as guidelines in some sense. He therefore requested the Secretary to fur- nish the Board copies of the summarization of the discussions ahead of the usual dissemination of (he minutes. Meanwhile, Regent Sicaradded, in accordance with the discussions, the President and his staff can proceed with undertaking the preparatory work so that the Board may be guided at irs next meeting.
"Finally, the Board agreedto hold a special meeting at eight o'clock in the morning on Friday, December 8, 197i, for the sole purpose of considering proposals to be submitted by the President, as suggested by the Board, several days before the meeting.
"CERTIFIED CORRECT:
"(Sgd.) OSCAR M. ALFONSO
"Secretary of the Board of Regents"
Excerpts from the Minutes of the 827th (Special) Meet.
ingof the Board of Regents on 11 December 1972 on the Draft Proposal for the Reorganization of the University of the Philippines System Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 58 and the Guidelines Set by the Board at its 826th Meeting on 27 November 1972
x Xx x x
"H. Matters submitted for consideration of the Board, the acnon of the Board being indicated at the end of each item:
"D. General Administration
"3. Draft proposal on the reorganization of the University of the Philippines submitted by the President pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board at its 826thmeer- ing on 27 November 1972 together with the summary of the Board's discussions on the matter.
"Board action: After a brief introduction of the draft proposal and its main features by the President, the Board considered various aspects of the matter and then adopted certain resolutions or reached a con- sensus after more than three hours of discussion, summarized hereunder-
"Following the President's introductory statement.
Regent Benitez made certain remarks for the record before she had to leave this meeting for another irn, portent engagement elsewhere. She said first of all that she welcomes the creation of autonomous units, start- ing with the U.P. at Los Banos.
"Recalling the references of Regents Sicat and Za- Mora to the role of the external units in a University System, made at the last (826th) meeting, Regent Be- nitez expressed her views concerning the role of the private and public educational sectors. The regional branches of the University of the Philippines, according
to her, can provide opportumnes for the not-so-eco- nomically endowed, those who are capable but noteta.
nomically able. There is a role for private universities in the same region, bur the public university can serve those of our people who do not have the means to go to a private university. Moreover, emphasis can be placed in the public university upon research and graduate work, because this is not possiblewithin the
non-funded, non-endowed private system.
"Turning next to the question of 'autonomous' uni- versities, Regent Benitez questioned whether it is right to say a university is autonomous when the appoint- ment of faculty members with the rank of assistant professor or higher is dependent upon the Board of Regents, as provided in the draft proposal. There is some kind of contradiction there, she said.
"Subject certainly to standards laid down by the Board, the Chancellor should be able to appoint the members of the faculty, subject only to confirmation by a senior body. Otherwise, there would be a sword of Damocles hanging over the 'autonomous' univer- sity in the choice of irs faculty, the Regent went on.
"Finally, Regent Benitez expressed misgivings about the use of the word 'autonomous' when the Chancellor has to course appointments through the President, who is at the sametime the head of the Diliman and Ma- nila units and the external units. Regent Fonacier pointed out that it is contemplated to appoint a Chan.
cellar for Diliman and Manila.Well, then, that would be all right, Regent Benitez stated; she raised the ques- tion, she said, because she wonders why the Chancellor of the U.P. at Los Banos should go through the Prcsi- dent if the President is also the head of all the other units. (At this point, Regent Benitez left the meeting.)
"From here on, the Board considered the related questions of (1) how many autonomous universities shall be established at this time, (2) whether or not the Diliman and Manila units shall have their own Chancellor, (3) the membership of Chancellors in the Board of Regents, (4) what units shall comprise the autonomous University of the Philippines at Los Banos, and (5) in light of the proposed establishment of a University of the Philippines System, what to do with the Philippine Center for the Health Sciences, the Col- lege of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Fisheries, the Ll.P. at Tarlac, the College of Nursing and School of Nursing, and the D.P. High School and U.P. Pre.
pararory School.
"Establisbmens of autonomous anioersities : which units are to have their own Chancellor Mw.-For ad- ditional justification for the reorganization of the Uni- versify of the Philippines into a University of the Philippine System, the President suggested and the Board accepted the inclusion in the draft proposal of another 'whereas' dealing with the recommendation of the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Edu- cation, approved by the National Board of Education, to designate the University of the Philippines as the
national university of the Philippines.
"With respect to the question of
how'
many auto- nomous universities shall be -established at this time, Regent Silva pointed OUt thrit the 'whereases' in Pres.idenrial Decree No. 28 refer primarily to the granting of autonomy to the:U.P. ar los Banos. Consonant with
168
U.P. GAZEITEthe decree, the Board's concern right now should be to grant autonomy to that unit, leaving the rest of the University of the Philippines asit is for the time being, theRegent said.
"Regent Sicar advanced the view that the appointment of a Chancellorfor the Dillman and Manila units might be going beyond the intention of the presidential dec- ree. LosBanos is the focus of the decree, he said, and the question of a Chancellor for Dillman and Manila is not pressing. The Regent cautioned against unduly adding to the University's overhead and said that the Board must guard against the operation in this situation of Parkinson's law. The setting up of an autonomous U.P. at los Banos can be effected within a: framework that will mean
a
minimal increase in overhead, he con- tinued,andwe must be careful rhar nortOOmany of the University's talents are absorbed in administrative posi- tions."Arguing further in favorof going slow on this as- pea of the reorganization of the University, Regent Sicaranticipated that there will also be the knotty pro.
blem of dividing the lines of authority between the offices under the President and those under the Chan- cellor, and minimizing the proliferation of the latter category.
"Regent Tangco pointed our that Presidential Decree No. 58 authorizes the establishment of a University of the Philippines System. This problem evolved initially because of the question of granting autonomy to the U.P. at Los Banos would feel 'less equal,' he said, meet the problem of. Los Banos. As for the other units of the University, they can remain the way they are for the present, but there is the decree to fall back on when the time comes.
"Regent Zamora, taking a different tack, adverted to the problem raised earlier by Regent Benitez. about the Chancellor having to go through the President before going to the Board on certain matters. The U.P. at los Banos would feel "less equal,' he said, being headed by a Chancellor while the other units are under the President of the University System himself. From the point of view of los Banos, there- fore, the question ofIaChancellor for the Diliman and Manila units is a pressing one.
"Regent Sicat reminded the Board that the Chan- cellor shall be one of its members pursuant to Pres- idential Decree No. 58, and therefore he can argue his case rhere. TIJat is true, Regent Zamora countered.
but it is also true thar even in the Board the Chan- cellor will besomewhat lower than the President.
"Regent Fonacier agreed with Regent Zamora rhar as in Los Bafios there should immediatelybeestablished an auronomous university in Diliman and Manila under its own Chancellor. Indeed, the Dillman and Manila units should be the first to be auronomous.
stressed the Regent.
"Otherwise, Regenr Zamora followed up, we might JUSt be giving a few more powers to soothe the seces- sionist sentiments of some people in the U.P. at Los Bafios. But we .did not need a presidential decree in order. to be able to do this. We may be merely real- locating powers when in fact the decree" contemplates something far more radical.
"For. administrative balance, Regent Ponacier added,
VOL. III, NO.n
there should also be a Chancellor for Dillman and Manila. Otherwise, the President shall practically be the Chancellor for these units, and the U.P. at los Banos might hold him suspect because its Chancellor has to go through the President who heads all the other units. It is human nature, the Regent said, that the President would be subject to scrutiny in this regard.
"Whether or not there is a Chancellor for Diliman and Manila, and whether or not the President acts in effect as the Chancellor for these units, human nature will be there in any case, Regent Tangco pointed our, on the other hand.
"The President underscored his objectivity in dealing with the V.P. at Los Banos, having pointed out earlier during these discussions that there had been the closest and most complete collaboration of representa- tives from Los Bafios in the preparation of the draft proposal now under consideration. The President said he did not think that the people in Los Banos feel the concern expressed byRegenr Ponacier and Regent Zamora; they do not complain that he has favored Diliman.
"Regent Fonacier stated that he is concerned with the position of the President, who will be the one subject to suspicion of partiality. But if the President is willing, he would go along with him. That being the case, the President said, let's try it.
"Regent Escobar called attention to the proposed regulations governing the autonomy of the UP. at los Banos. Under such regulations which are clearly spelled Out, the President can not favor Dillman or the other units as against Los Banos, according to' the Regent.
"After exhaustive deliberations on this aspect of the reorganization of the University, the President as pre.
siding officer at this meeting summarized the drift of the discussions and the consensus that developed there.
from as follows: the Board is establishing the Univer- sity of the Philippines System comprising 'initially the autonomous University of the Philippines at los Banos with all the other units of the University remaining, for the present, the way they are; but wirh me possibi- lity, however, that other autonomous universities may be established in the future, each under its own Chan- cellor.
"The Board having reached the above-described con- sensus, Regent zamora placed on record certain reserva- tions on his parr. Presidential Decree No. 58 contem- plates, he said, the setting up of a System with mem- ber universities. He feels, therefore, that the Board is now merely reallocating powers rather than effecting the more radical changes and more far-reaching ar- rangemenrs envisioned by the decree. The Regent rei- terated his position that at the very least there should be two Chancellors, one for the Diliman and Manila units and the other for the U.P. at Los Banos. While acknowledging that there are difficulties involved, he believes that they will just have to be coped with.
With the Board agreed on having the President exercise direct control and supervision over all the other units while the U.P. at Los Banos is placed under a Chancellor, Regent Silva called the Board's attention to the necessity of avoiding an incongruous