[ REPUBLIC ACT No. 5334, June 15, 1968 ]

AN ACT PROVIDING FUNDS FOR BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES OF THE ASIAN CENTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared as a national policy to develop a closer and broader contact with our Asian neighbors in the field of learning and scholarship to attain knowledge of our national identity in relation to other Asian nations through profound studies on Asian cultures, histories, social forces and aspirations.

SEC. 2. Pursuant to this policy, there is hereby established an Asian Center in the University of the Philippines, which shall absorb the present Institute of Asian Studies, its personnel and facilities: Provided, That such center shall give primary emphasis on Philippine studies.

SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated,  the  sum  of two  million  and five hundred thousand pesos, for the construction of the necessary buildings in the present site of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, and the purchase of equipment and other facilities  needed   for  teaching,   research  and   field work.  Furthermore, there is hereby appropriated the additional sum of one hundred thousand pesos annually out any funds  in  the National   Treasury  for  continuous support to the Asian Center.

SEC. 4. The University of the Philippines may, for the purposes of teaching, research, field work, and other activities of the Asian Center, obtain the services of scholars and technical personnel of any agency of the Philippine Government to provide instruction, perform research and  field work and other activities as may be needed.  Such personnel may be given honorarium by the University of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Director of the Asian Center, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.

SEC 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 15, 1968.