Press Release - Cayetano's bill on PUP charter amendments hurdles Second Reading
At a glance:
The bill strengthens PUP's governance, expands its degree offerings, and enhances its financial autonomy;
It establishes the PUP Center for Artificial Intelligence, Computational Thinking, and Key Emerging Technologies;
It ensures the continued operation of PUP's night school to support working students;
It grants PUP greater control over its funds for infrastructure, research, and faculty development.
The Senate on Tuesday approved on Second Reading Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's proposed amendments to the charter of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) to recognize its role as the country's National Polytechnic University and ensure greater institutional and financial autonomy.
As the sponsor of the Senate Bill No. 2669, Cayetano emphasized the need to modernize PUP's charter to better serve its growing student population, which reached 93,000 enrollees this year, and adapt to the demands of the future workforce.
"Just to refresh our memories during the budget hearing, when we found out that PUP is basically P12 per unit, while UP (University of the Philippines) is P1,500 per unit... yet when it comes to awards and accomplishments, PUP has done an [equally] amazing job," Cayetano said during the period of amendments on January 28, 2025.
The bill introduces key provisions that would strengthen PUP's governance, expand its degree offerings, and establish the PUP Center for Artificial Intelligence, Computational Thinking, and Key Emerging Technologies.
This initiative aims to place PUP at the forefront of technological innovation, making advanced education and research more accessible to Filipinos.
Cayetano also acknowledged and reiterated the university's reputation for producing highly employable graduates despite its limited resources.
"Sa ilang mga survey, ang sinasabi ng ilang employers, preferred nila ang PUP graduates... If you compare their per capita spending to some of our leading universities, makikita mong they've done so much with so little," he said.
Cayetano proposed several refinements to the bill during the period of amendments, including ensuring the continued operation of PUP's night school and expanding the