House panel endorses bill to regularize all DOrSU satellite, extension campuses
The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) has endorsed House Bill No. 4488, which seeks to regularize all satellite and extension campuses of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), subject to the regulatory requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other conditions set by law.
Taken up during the committee’s 6th Regular Meeting on 9 December 2025 at the Women Legislators’ Lounge in the House of Representatives Complex, the bill— authored by Representatives Cheeno Miguel D. Almario and Nelson R. Dayanghirang Jr.— proposes the conversion of DOrSU campuses in the municipalities of Banaybanay, San Isidro, Tarragona, Baganga, and Cateel into regular campuses and the appropriation of funds for their operation.
In a position paper submitted to the CHTE, DOrSU declared its full support for HB 4488, saying the measure is in line with the university’s mandate to provide quality and accessible public higher education in Davao Oriental. The university currently runs three satellite campuses in Banaybanay, Cateel, and San Isidro, as well as two extension campuses in Baganga and Tarragona.
DOrSU reported that while the satellite campuses in Banaybanay, Cateel, and San Isidro have their own facilities, administrative and faculty complement, and program offerings, the extension campuses in Baganga and Tarragona are staffed only by faculty members, have no plantilla-based administrative personnel, and operate in facilities owned by local government units.
The university said placing all five campuses under regular status would promote balanced educational development in Davao Oriental and reinforce the delivery of public higher education in the province.
With the CHTE’s endorsement, HB 4488 proceeds to the next stage of the House legislative process, in coordination with CHED and other concerned agencies on compliance, funding, and other implementation requirements.
