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

SECTION 1. The Sipocot National School of Arts and Trades located in the Municipality of Sipocot, Province of Camarines Sur, is hereby converted into the Bicol Institute of Science and Technology, hereinafter referred to as the Institute.

SEC. 2. The Institute shall primarily provide higher technological, professional and vocational training consistent with the goals for local, regional and national development. It shall also promote research and provide progressive leadership in the various disciplines and areas of specialization. The Institute shall offer undergraduate courses in the field of arts and trades education and such other courses as may be necessary to meet regional and national needs for trained manpower.

SEC. 3. No student shall be denied admission to the Institute by reason of sex, ethnic consideration, or religious belief or affiliation.

SEC. 4. The Institute shall be under the direct supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and shall be headed by a vocational school superintendent II.

SEC. 5. The vocational school superintendent II shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To recommend appropriation to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports through the regional office for the operation and maintenance of the Institute;
   
   
2. To recommend the confirmation of titles or degrees in the fields of study stated in Section 2 of this Act to successful candidates for graduation;
   
   
3. To recommend the confirmation of certificates and diplomas to successful candidates for graduation on courses other than degree courses;
   
   
4. To recommend appointments submitted by the screening committee to the regional office;
   
   
5. To recommend the curricula and rules of discipline drawn by the department heads and supervisors;
   
   
6. To provide scholarships to faculty and staff showing special evidence of merit; and
   
   
7. To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all kinds and to administer the same for the benefit of the Institute or of the departments, or for aid to any student or students in accordance with the direction and instruction of the donor or in such other manner as the superintendent may determine, subject to budgeting, accounting and auditing law, rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. The faculty of the Sipocot National School of Arts and Trades as well as other personnel shall be absorbed by the new Institute: Provided, That the incumbent vocational school administrator shall be appointed as the first vocational school superintendent II.

SEC. 7. The body of teachers, instructors, master teachers, and heads of department shall constitute the faculty of the Institute.

SEC. 8. The faculty and other personnel of the Institute shall be covered by the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. All the personnel, assets and properties including building sites, and the improvements thereon, obligations, funds and appropriations of the Sipocot National School of Arts and Trades are hereby transferred to the Bicol Institute of Science and Technology.

SEC. 10. The amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be provided in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law: Provided, That the new name Bicol Institute of Science and Technology shall take effect upon the approval of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the Institute shall be included in subsequent General Appropriations Acts.

SEC. 11. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.