Over a hundred years of Service to the

Filipino
The University of the Philippines was founded on June 18, 1908 through Act No. 1870 of the
Philippine Assembly. UP was the result of the Secretary of Public Instruction, William
Morgan Shuster’s recommendation to the Philippine Commission, the upper house of the
Philippine Assembly.
The Act authorized the Governor General to establish the University of the Philippines in the
“city of Manila, or at any point he may deem most convenient.” The UP was to give
“advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and arts, and to give professional
and technical training” to every qualified student regardless of “age, sex, nationality,
religious belief and political affiliation.”

ACT NO. 1870

ACT NO. 1870 - AN ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FOUNDING A

UNIVERSITY FOR THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, GIVING IT
CORPORATE EXISTENCE, PROVIDING FOR A BOARD OF REGENTS,
DEFINING THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES,
PROVIDING HIGHER AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Legislature, that:

Section 1. The Governor-General is hereby authorized, within the powers and limitations
hereinafter specified, to establish in the city of Manila, or at the point he may deem most
convenient, a university which shall be known by the designation of "University of the Philippines,"
the same being organized as a corporation under that name.

Sec. 2. The purpose of said university shall be to provide advanced instruction in literature,
philosophy, the sciences, and arts, and to give professional and technical training.

Sec. 3. No student shall be denied admission to the university by reason of age, sex, nationality,
religious belief, or political affiliation.

Sec. 4. The government of said university is hereby vested in a board of regents to be known as
the "Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines." The Board of Regents shall be comprised
of the Secretary of Public Instruction, the Director of Education, the chairman of the Committee of
Public Instruction of the Philippine Assembly, the president of the university, and five additional
members to be appointed by the Governor-General, by and with the advice and consent of the
Philippine Commission. The president of the university shall be selected and his compensation shall
be fixed by the Board of Regents, of which board he shall be ex officio chairman. The members of
the Board of Regents appointed by the Governor-General shall hold office for a term of five years:
Provided, however, That the regents first appointed by the Governor-General shall hold office as
follows: One for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for
five years, the term of office of each to be specified in his appointment by the Governor-General.
In case of a vacancy among the members of the Board of Regents appointed by the Governor-
General, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Governor-General, by and with the
advice and consent of the Philippine Commission, and such appointees shall hold office for the
unexpired term. All members of the Board of Regents shall be citizens of the Philippine Islands or
of the United States, and shall be residents of the Philippine Islands. Members shall serve without
compensation other than actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred either in attendance
upon meetings of the Board or upon other official business authorized by resolution of the Board.

Sec. 5. The University of the Philippines shall have the general powers set out in section thirteen
of Act Numbered Fourteen hundred and fifty-nine, and the administration of said university and
the exercise of its corporate powers are hereby vested in the Board of Regents.

Sec. 6. The Board of Regents shall have the following powers and duties, in addition to its general
powers of administration and the exercise of tile powers of the corporation:

(a) To receive and appropriate to the ends specified by law such sums as may be provided by law
for the support of the university;

(b) To provide for the establishment of a College of Philosophy, Science, and Letters; a College of
Law and of Social and Political Science; a College of Medicine and Surgery; a College of Pharmacy;
a College of Dentistry; a College of Veterinary Science; a College of Engineering; a College of
Mines; a College of Agriculture; and a School of Fine Arts: Provided, That the Board of Regents
may establish these colleges or any of them as soon as in its judgment conditions shall favor their
opening and funds shall be available for their maintenance:And provided further, That the Board
of Regents, by and with the approval of the Governor-General, shall have power to combine two
or more of the colleges authorized by this Act, in the interests of economy and efficiency: And
provided further, That the Philippine Medical School, as established by Act Numbered Fourteen
hundred and fifteen, as amended, shall become the College of Medicine and Surgery of the
Philippine University as soon as two or more colleges of the University of the Philippines shall have
been established and in actual operation;

(c) To confer the usual honorary degrees upon persons other than graduates of the university in
recognition of learning, statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or art: Provided , That
such degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or other valuable
consideration;

(d) To establish chairs in the colleges herein before mentioned, and to provide for the maintenance
or endowment of such chairs, as well as to provide for such other professors, assistant professors,
instructors, tutors, and lecturers as the progress of instruction may make necessary, and to fix the
compensation pertaining to such positions;

(e) To appoint, on recommendation of the president of the university, professors, instructors,

lecturers, and other employees of the university, to fix their compensation and to remove them for
cause after an investigation and hearing shall have been had;

(f) To approve the courses of study and rules of discipline drawn up by the university council as
hereinafter provided; to fix the tuition fees required of students, as well as matriculation fees,
graduation fees and fees for laboratory, courses, and all special fees; and to remit the same in
special cases;

(g) To provide fellowships and scholarships and to award the same to students giving special
evidence of merit;

(h) To prescribe rules for its own government, and to enact for the government of the university
such general ordinances and regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with the purposes
of the university as defined in section two of this Act.

Sec. 7. A quorum of the Board of Regents shall consist of a majority of all the members holding
office at the time the meeting of the Board is called. All process against the Board of Regents shall
be served on the president or secretary thereof.

Sec. 8. On or before the tenth day of August of each year the Board of Regents shall file with the
Governor-General a detailed report, setting forth the progress, condition, and needs of the
university.

Sec. 9. There shall be a university council, consisting of the president of the university and of all
instructors in the university holding the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant
professor. The council shall have power to prescribe the courses of study and rules of discipline,
subject to the approval of the Board of Regents. It shall fix the requirements for admission to any
college of the university, as well as for graduation and the receiving of a degree. The council alone
shall have the power to recommend students or others to be recipients of degrees. Through its
president or committees it shall have disciplinary power over the students within the limits
prescribed by the rules of discipline approved by the Board of Regents. The powers and duties of
the president of the university, in addition to those specifically provided for in this Act, shall be
those usually pertaining to the office of president of a university.

Sec. 10. The body of instructors of each college shall constitute its faculty, and as presiding officer
of each faculty there shall be a dean elected by the faculty to which he belongs. In the appointment
of professors or other instructors of the university, no religious test shall be applied, nor shall the
religious opinions or affiliations of the instructors of the university be made a matter of examination
or inquiry:Provided, however, That no instructor in the university shall inculcate sectarian tenets
in any of the teachings, nor attempt, either directly or indirectly, under penalty of dismissal by the
Board of Regents, to influence students or attendants at the university for or against any particular
church or religious sect.

Sec. 11. Professors and other regular instructors in the university shall be exempt as such from
any civil-service examination or regulation as a requisite to appointment.

Sec. 12. There shall be a secretary of the university, appointed by the Board of Regents. He shall
be the secretary of such Board and also of the university, and shall keep such records of the
university as may be designated by the Board.

Sec. 13. The Treasurer of the Philippine Islands shall be ex officio treasurer of the university, and
all accounts and expenses thereof shall be audited by the Insular Auditor, and all disbursements
shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by him.

Sec. 14. Heads of Bureaus and Offices of the Insular Government are hereby authorized to loan or
transfer, upon request of the president of the university, such apparatus 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 or Office such supplies or employees can be spared without serious detriment
to the public service. Employees so detailed shall perform such duty as is required under such
detail, and the time so employed shall count as part of their regular official service.

Sec. 15. The President of the Commission, the Speaker of the Philippine Assembly, and the justices
of the Supreme Court shall constitute a board of visitors of the university, whose duty it shall be
to attend the commencement exercises of the university, and to make visits at such other times
as they may deem proper, to examine the property, courses of study, discipline, the state of
finances of the university, to inspect all books and accounts of the institution, and to make report
to the Governor-General upon the same, with such recommendations as they favor.

Sec. 16. The sum of one hundred thousand pesos is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the
Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended in the discretion of the Board of
Regents for the establishment of a college or colleges authorized by this Act the establishment of
which may be considered most urgent.

Sec. 17. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

DMMMSU in Brief

On January 15, 1981, through P.D. 1778, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
(DMMMSU) was created to cater to the aspirations of the people. The University has three (3)
major campuses located in different towns of the province of La Union. namely: the North La
Union Campus in Bacnotan as the Main Campus and the seat of the Central Administration;
the Open University System and the Mid La Union Campus in San Fernando, and South La
Union Campus in Agoo with the Institute of Agriculture in Rosario and Institute of Fisheries
in Sto. Tomas.

The University has 78 academic programs broken down into seven (7) Post Graduate
courses in Philosophy and Doctor of Education; 24 Graduate Courses in Masters
Degrees; 36 Undergraduate Courses, nine(9) post-secondary non-degree programs,
two(2) laboratory programs and the Open University System offers two(2) Masters
degrees and four(4) Certificate courses .

Don Mariano Mariano Marcos Memorial State University has three academic programs
that have been re-accredited to Level III status by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered
Colleges and Universities of the Philippines. These are Graduate College, Teacher
Education, and Agriculture. For the past several years, DMMMSU had produced
topnotchers in national board examinations in the fields of Mechanical Engineering,
Electrical Engineering, Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Veterinary Medicine,
Forestry, Midwifery, Master Electrician and Education.

The University was ranked among the top ten higher education institutions in the
Philippines, as surveyed by the Commission on Higher Education in 2001. It was
ranked number seven among the more than a thousand private and public colleges
and universities. Areas evaluated were faculty, student admission, library and
research.

The College of Education was awarded Center of Excellence since 2010 while the
College of Information Technology was re-accredited by the Commission on Higher
Education as Center of Development.

The research program of the University is one of the biggest programs in Northern
Luzon in terms of the number of ongoing researches undertaken and budget
allocation. Its research commodities include fiber crops, fruit crops, beef and chevon,
pork, orchids, bamboo, agroforestry, poultry, agricultural engineering, farming
system, applied rural sociology, macroeconomics, ube, bananas, sericulture, and
apiculture.

Extension programs of the University are anchored on commodity-based services that

create an impact on the life of the clientele in terms of productivity and profitability
and services for the enhancement of local governments and non-government
organizations. The DMMMSU Techno Pinoy, also known as Farmer’s Information and
Technology Services, had been evaluated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development to be one of the country’s
more active and functional centers.

Acknowledged for its distinct competence, expertise and resources, DMMMSU is home
to a number of special projects. These include the Sericulture Research and
Development Institute (SRDI), National Apiculture Research, Training and
Development Institute (NARTDI), DMMMSU Pig Extension and Research Farm,
Philippine Carabao Center, and Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1778

ESTABLISHING THE DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY BY

MERGING THE DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE; THE SOUTHERN
ILOCOS POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE, THE LA UNION SCHOOL OF ARTS AND
TRADES AND THE LA UNION COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND LIKEWISE INTEGRATING THE
SAPILANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INTO THE STATE UNIVERSITY: PROVIDING A
CHAPTER FOR THIS PURPOSE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

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 to develop scientific,
technological, and vocational efficiency;

WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 6-A, also known as the Educational Decree of 1972,
promulgated on September 20, 1972, it has been declared a policy of the government to re-orient
the educational system to be relevant to an accelerated national economic growth and
meaningful social development;

WHEREAS, by merging some institutions the utilization or limited resources in higher education
program can be coordinated and maximized, and may result in a more effective and rapid
development of the manpower resources in the province of La Union in particular, and of the
region in general; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of the state university in the province of La Union will provide
more opportunities in professional and technical training in the arts, sciences, humanities and
technology, and in the conduct of scientific research and technological studies, and would not
only give change to the students from low-income families, but will eventually also draw students
who otherwise would flock to Manila, thereby lessening social problems in the city;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

Section 1. The Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University is hereby established by merging
the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College at Bacnotan, La Union; the Southern Ilocos
Polytechnic State College at Agoo, La Union; and the La Union School of Arts and Trades and
La Union Community College, both at San Fernando, La Union. The Sapilang Elementary School
located inside the campus of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College is likewise
integrated into the State University, hereinafter referred to as the University.
Section 2. The present faculty and all other personnel of the Institutions merged in this Decree
are hereby transferred to the University.

Section 3. The general administration of all assets, fixed and movable, records and properties of
the merged institutions shall be transferred to the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State
University.

Section 4. The University shall provide advanced instruction in the arts, agriculture, fishery,
engineering and natural sciences, as well as in other technological and professional fields;
promote research, and engage in extension work.

Section 5. The governing board of the University shall be a Board of Regents hereinafter
referred to as a Board, to be composed of the Minister of Education and Culture as Chairman,
the President of the University as Vice-Chairman, and the Regional Director of the National
Economic and Development Authority and four (4) prominent citizens who have distinguished
themselves in their respective professions or fields of specialization to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Minister of Education and Culture, as
Members. In the absence of the Minister of Education and Culture, he may designated his
representative to sit in the meetings of the Board.

Of the four (4) appointed regents, one shall serve for two years; one for three years; and two for
four years. Thereafter, the appointees shall hold office for a term of four years. In case of
permanent vacancy, the appointee shall hold office for the unexpired term only.

Section 6. A majority of all members of the Board of Regents holding office at the time of a
meeting shall constitute a quorum, provided the Minister of Education and Culture, or his duly
appointed representative shall be considered in determining a quorum. All processes against the
University shall be served on the President of the University or his duly authorized
representative.

Section 7. The members of the Board of Regents shall not received compensation but shall be
reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, on a commutable basis, incurred either in
attendance of meetings of the Board or of other official business authorized by it.

Section 8. The Board of Regents shall have the following powers and duties in addition to its
general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers of a corporation as provided
in Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 otherwise known as the Corporation Code of the Philippines:

(a) To prescribe rules for its own government and to enact for the government of the
University such rules and regulations not contrary to law, as are consistent with the
purpose and function of the University;

(b) To receive and appropriate such funds as may be provided for the support of the
University;

(c) To import duty-free commodities for educational purposes as an exemption to existing

laws as well as to receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donation of all kinds and to
administer and the same for the benefit of the University, or any department thereof, in
accordance with the instructions of the donor not contrary to law; and in default thereof,
in such manner as the Board of Regents may in its discretion determine. All such
donations shall be exempt from all taxes and shall be considered as deductible items
from the income tax of the donors;

(d) To approve the curricula and rules of discipline drawn by the Academic Council as
hereinafter provided.
(e) To confer degrees upon successful candidates for graduation, to confer honorary
degrees upon persons in recognition of intellect, public service, statesmanship or
eminence in any fields of specialization of the University, and to authorize the President
of the University to award certificates for completion of non-degree programs.

(f) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the University President, vice presidents,
deans directors, registrars, heads of departments, professors, and to confirm
appointments of other officials and employees of the University made by the President; to
fix their compensation, and such other duties and condition as may be promulgated in
accordance with the provisions of existing laws; to removed them for cause in
accordance with established civil service rules and regulations.

(g) To establish chairs in the university and to provide fellowship and scholarship for
qualified faculty and administrative personnel, and scholarship to deserving students.

(h) To fix tuition fees and such other necessary school charges as the Board may deem
proper to impose. Such fees and charges, including their income generated by the
university, shall constitute a special trust fund for the exclusive use of the university, and
provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding.

(i) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machineries, equipment and
other facilities and the purchase of necessary supplies, materials and equipment, any
provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding; provided, however, that the funds for the
purpose shall come from the authorized appropriation of the University.

(j) To acquire lands as may be needed by the University.

Section 9. The head of the University shall be known as the President of the University. He shall
be appointed for a term of six (6) years by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation
of the Minister of Education and Culture after consultation with the members of the Board.

Section 10. The seat of the administration of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
shall be at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College at Bacnotan, La Union.

Section 11. The governance of the University shall be so established allowing certain degree of
autonomy for its component colleges thereby permitting the exercise of initiative and
creativeness in pursuit of immediate goals and objectives.

Section 12. The incumbent heads of the different institutions to be merged shall continue to
serve under the present respective designations and salary rates until such time when the Board
determines the status and other conditions relating to their positions. Other officials, faculty
members and employees shall likewise continue in their present assignments and salary rates
until such time when a staffing pattern has been approved by the Board.

Section 13. There shall be an Administrative Council consisting of the President of the University
as Chairman and the Vice-Presidents, and deans of the different colleges as Members; whose
duty shall be to implement policies of the University governing personnel, financial management,
and development planning as promulgated by the Board.

Section 14. There shall be an Academic Council of the University with the President of the
University as Chairman and all the professors of the university as members.

The Academic Council shall have the power to prescribe the curricula and rules of discipline of
the University subject to the approval of the Board. It shall fix the requirements for admission to
the colleges as well as for graduation, and the conferring of degrees, subject to review by the
Board. The Council shall likewise have the power to recommend students to be recipients of
degrees. Through the President of the University, or his duly authorized representative, the
Council shall have disciplinary power over the students of the University within the limits
prescribed by the rules of discipline as approved by the Board.

Section 15. Members of the faculty of the University shall be exempt from any civil service
examination or regulations as a requisite to appointment. No religious test shall be applied nor
shall religious opinions or affiliations be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members
of the University provided that no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular
church or religious sect, or advocate any ideology contrary to Filipino culture and traditions.

Section 16. There shall be an Advisory Council for each college of the University to be headed
by the college head, and whose members shall be drawn from the faculty and administrative staff
of the college appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the
University. The Advisory Council shall provide advice and counsel to the College head in matters
concerning the general affairs of the college.

Section 17. No student shall be denied admission to the University by reason of age, sex,
religion, or political affiliation. The President, after consultation with Academic Council, shall
issue rules and regulations on the admission, retention, and non-readmission of students, not
contrary, however, to the provision stated above.

Section 18. The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex-officio Treasurer of the University.
All accounts and expenses thereof shall be audited by the Commission on Audit through its duly
authorized representative.

Section 19. Heads of ministries and offices of the national government and provincial or
city/municipal government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon request of the
President of the University, such apparatus, equipment and supplies as may be needed by the
University including the detail of employees for duty therein when such employees as determined
by his agency head can be spared without serious detriment to the public service. Employees so
detailed shall perform such duty as required under detail and the time so employed shall be
counted as part of their regular official service.

Section 20. The Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University is hereby authorized to exercise
the right of eminent domain for the acquisition of sites required for its expansion or projects.

Section 21. The Minister of Education and Culture is hereby directed to take such steps as
necessary for the immediate implementation of this Decree.

Section 22. On or before the fifteenth day of the second month after the opening of regular
classes each year, the Board shall file with the Office of the President of the Philippines, through
the Minister of Education and Culture, a detailed report setting from the progress and conditions
of the University.

Section 23. In addition to the present appropriations, national, or local, of the institutions merged
and integrated in this Decree, the sum of TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) is hereby
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purpose of this Decree. Thereafter, funds needed
for the maintenance and continued operation of the University shall be included in the Annual
General Appropriation Act.

Section 24. Presidential Decrees creating the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College, and
the Southern Ilocos Polytechnic State College, including PD 1617 and 1437, and the Republic
Act establishing the La Union School of Arts and Trades and such other laws, acts, decrees, or
executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.
Section 25. This Decree shall take effect the school year 1981-82.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of January, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred
and eighty-one.