THE House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved the creation of a technical working group that is set to craft the substitute bill to six measures that seek to amend Presidential Decree 1341, otherwise known as the charter of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

According to committee chair Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, the bills for consolidation seek to make PUP, which will celebrate its 120th anniversary this year, the first National Polytechnic University of the Philippines with institutional and fiscal autonomy.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, author of one such measure, explained that his proposed amendments are aimed at ensuring that PUP remains a relevant and effective institution, dedicated to providing quality education, fostering innovation, and contributing to the nation’s development.

He added that the proposal’s objective aligns with the guiding principles of Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

House Bill 8860 is co-authored by Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Aside from House Bill 8860, the other bills included for consolidation are House Bill 8829, 9060, 2363, 6790, and 6973, authored by Reps. Edwin Olivarez, Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Charisse Anne Hernandez, Lordan Suan, and Ching Bernos, respectively.

House Bills 2363, 6790, and 6973 seek to put up PUP campuses in certain parts of the country.