Tarlac Agricultural University

- Schate Difice of the sundary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 SEP -9 P2:0,6 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1356 Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino RENAMING THE TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (TAU) TO TARLAC SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (TSTAU), REORGANIZING ITS GOVERNING BOARD, ENHANCING ITS CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT (R.A.) NO, 10800, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT CONVERTING THE TARLAC COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (TCA) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CAMILING, PROVINCE OF TARLAC, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Education is a powerful tool for uplifting lives and building stronger communities. In 2016, Republic Act No. 10800 transformed the Tarlac College of Agriculture into the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), recognizing its vital role in advancing agricuiture, research, and higher education in Central Luzon. Since then, TAU has grown well beyond its agricultural roots. It now offers programs in engineering, business, teacher education, veterinary medicine, health sciences, and the arts and humanities. Its research, extension services, and international partnerships have also expanded, gaining recognition both locally and abroad. However, the name "Tarlac Agricultural University" still conveys a limited focus on agriculture, overlooking the institution's broader contributions in science, technology, and medical education. This bill thus seeks to rename TAU as the Tarlac Science, Technology, and Agricultural University (TSTAU) to better reflect its expanded mission and scope. It also aims to strengthen the institution by updating its mandate, expanding its governing board, securing land titles, and extending CHED compliance timelines. These reforms will ensure that the university remains a leader in agriculture while also rising as a center of excellence in science, technology, health, and

innovation. With this measure, we envision an institution that can more effectively respond to the needs of the youth of Tarlac, the people of Central Luzon, and the nation's future. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Bam Aquirr

Senate Offire of the Sorrietary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Str -9 P<:0 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1356 Introduced by Senator Bam Aquino AN ACT RENAMING THE TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (TAU) TO TARLAC SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (TSTAU), REORGANIZING ITS GOVERNING BOARD, ENHANCING ITS CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT (R.A.) NO. 10800, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT CONVERTING THE TARLAC COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (TCA) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CAMILING, PROVINCE OF TARLAC, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 1 Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Tarlac Science, Technology, 2 and Agricultural University Charter". 3 Sec. 2. TAU Renamed. - Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) is hereby renamed to 4 Tarlac Science, Technology, and Agricultural University (TSTAU). 6 Sec. 3. General Mandate. - Section 2 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows: 7 "Sec. 2. General Mandate. - [The University shall primarily provide advance education, 8 higher technological and professional instruction and training in the fields of 9 agriculture, agribusiness management, science and technology, engineering, teacher 10 education, nontraditional courses, and other relevant fields of study.] THE TARLAC SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, HEREINAFTER

1 REFERRED TO AS THE TSTAU, SHALL PRIMARILY PROVIDE ADVANCED 2 INSTRUCTION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS, ARTS AND 3 HUMANITIES, TEACHER EDUCATION, ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER ALLIED MEDICAL FIELD. It shall also undertake research, extension services, and production activities in support of the development of the [Province of Tarlac] ENTIRE PHILIPPINES, and provide progressive 7 leadership in its areas of specialization. 8 Sec. 4. Section 4 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows: "Sec. 4. Curricular Offerings. - [The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of agriculture, agribusiness management, science and technology, agricultural and other branches of engineering, and other courses within its areas of specialization, and according to its capabilities as the Board may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly in meeting the needs of the Province of Tarlac and Region III.] THE TSTAU SHALL OFFER UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND POST-GRADUATE COURSES IN THE FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ARTS AND HUMANITIES, VETERINARY MEDICINE, TEACHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND OTHER ALLIED MEDICAL COURSES WITH EMPHASIS ON AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER COURSES WITHIN ITS AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION, AND ACCORDING TO ITS CAPABILITIES AS THE BOARD MAY DEEM NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS OBJECTIVES, PARTICULARLY IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PROVINCE OF TARLAC, REGION III AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. The University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school under its College of Education.

Sec. 5. Section 6 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows:

1 "Sec. 6. The Governing Board, - The governing board of the University shall be the 2 Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of 3 the following: 4 (a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Chairperson; 5 (b) The President of the University, Vice Chairperson; 6 (c) The Chairperson of the Committee on [Education, Arts and Culture] HIGHER, 7 TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION of the Senate, member; 8 (d) The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House 9 of Representatives, member; 10 (e) The Regional Director of the [National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)] DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMY, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT (DEPDEV), member; (f) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), member; 15 (g) THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND 16 TECHNOLOGY (DOST), MEMBER; (h) THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), MEMBER; 19 [(g)] (I) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University, member; [(h)] (J) The President of the federation of student councils of the University, member;

1 [Ö] (K) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University, 2 member; [and] 3 [()] (L) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 4 themselves in their profession or fields of specialization, members; AND 5 (M) THE PRESIDENT OF NON-ACADEMIC STAFF ASSOCIATION, NON- 6 VOTING MEMBER. 7 The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from a list of qualified persons in the Province of Tarlac, as recommended by the search committee, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the standards and qualifications for the position. The Presidents of the federation of faculty associations, the federation of student councils, [and] the federation of alumni associations AND THE FEDERATION OF NON-ACADEMIC STAFF ASSOCIATION shall serve in the Board only for the duration of their respective terms of office, as set forth in their respective constitutions and by-laws. 16 The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment [•1, AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RENEWAL FOR ANOTHER TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS.

Sec. 6. Sub-section (z) of Section 7 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows:

20 " Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - xxx 21 (a) xxX 22 XxX (y) xxx; [and]

1 (Z) SERVE AS DISCIPLINING AUTHORITY FOR ALL OFFICERS AND 2 EMPLOYEES OF THE TSTAU, BOTH TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING; AND" 3 [(z)] (AA) Extend the term of the President of the University, whose performance has 4 been rated by the Board as outstanding, beyond the age of retirement but not beyond 5 the age of seventy (70), upon the recommendation of the search committee." 6 Sec. 7. Section 9 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows: 7 "Sec. 9. The University President. - The University shall be headed by a President, who shall render full-time service and who shall be appointed by the Board, subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board, upon the recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The University President shall serve a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, that [in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the incumbent President of the TCA shall serve as the first President of the University] THIS PROVISION SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE TERM OF THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT. Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the University, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency (SCP). The Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the University, in case of a vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the President to perform the functions of the office, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term. The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition to those provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board.

1 [The salary of the President of the University shall be in accordance with the Revised 2 Compensation and Position Classification System, as modified by Joint Resolution No. 3 4 dated June 17, 2009, and other pertinent budget and compensation laws, and shall be comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational 5 institutions.] 6 THE SALARY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY SHALL BE IN 7 ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVISED COMPENSATION AND POSITION 8 CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, AS MODIFIED BY JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 9 DATED JUNE 17, 2009, AND OTHER PERTINENT BUDGET AND COMPENSATION LAWS, AND SHALL BE COMPARABLE TO THAT BEING RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF SIMILAR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. A PLANTILLA ITEM EQUIVALENT TO THE SALARY GRADE OF THE INCUMBENT UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SHALL BE CREATED AND RESERVED TO THE IMMEDIATELY OUTGOING UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT. The President of the University shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic 16 Affairs, a Vice President for Finance and Administration, A VICE PRESIDENT FOR PLANNING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE, and a Vice President for Research, Extension and Training, [who shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President] WHOSE APPOINTMENT BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SHALL BE CONFIRMED BY THE BOARD."

Sec. 8. Section 17 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows:

"Sec. 17. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, personnel and records of the [TCA] TAU, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby retained by the University: Provided, That the positions, rights and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to this Act shall be respected: Provided, further, That the incumbents of the positions shall remain in the same status until otherwise provided for by the Board: Provided, finally, That the

1 [College] UNIVERSITY shall also include an upgrade or increase in its human 2 resource component. 3 All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the [TCA] TAU, 4 INCLUDING THOSE THAT WERE ORIGINALLY OCCUPIED BY THE TCA, are hereby declared to be property of the University, and shall be titled under that name: 6 Provided, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the University, the same shall revert to the LGU concerned or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be. 9 THE CONCERNED REGISTER OF DEEDS WHERE THE PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED SHALL BE OBLIGED TO ISSUE THE NECESSARY CERTIFICATE OF TITLE UNDER THE NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY."

Sec. 9. Section 23 of R.A. 10800 is hereby amended as follows:

"Sec. 23. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - xxx (a) xxx 15 XXX "(f) Outreach activities that allow the students, faculty, and research staff to apply the new knowledge they generate to address specific social development problems broadly defined. The institution shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act, unless in the meantime it is able to comply with the requirements provided herein, within a period not later than [January 01, 2020] JANUARY 01, 2029. 23 Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Tarlac Agricultural University under the current General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act, including the expansion of academic offerings, reorganization of administrative and support offices, creation of Plantilla positions, infrastructure

• " 1 development, and operationalization of new curricular programs, shall be included in 2 the annual General Appropriations Act under the budget of the Tarlac Science, 3 Technology, and Agricultural University (TSTAU). 4 Sec. 11. Transitory Provision. - In order to effect the smooth transition and 5 implementation of the new charter, the incumbent University President shall serve as 6 the first University President under this new charter and who shall be eligible for re- 7 appointment for another fresh term. 8 Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 9 effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the rules and regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 14 Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 16 repealed or modified accordingly. 17 Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 18 the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,