Tawi-tawi State College

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Offier of the ferretary ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY -7 P1:20 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. — 2122 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT RENAMING THE TAWI-TAWI REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AS THE TAWI-TAWI STATE COLLEGE, STRENGTHENING ITS GOVERNING BOARD, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC) plays a crucial role in providing accessible higher education in the Province of Tawi-Tawi and the broader Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Located in the southernmost part of the country, the institution serves as an important gateway for young Filipinos in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to local and national development. Originally established as the Sulu National Regional Agricultural School, the institution underwent several transformations in response to the educational needs of the region. With the creation of the Province of Tawi-Tawi, the school was renamed the Tawi-Tawi National Regional Agricultural School and subsequently converted into the Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 384. Since then, the college has offered programs in agriculture, education, and other allied disciplines that support the socio-economic development of the province. Over the years, the Philippine higher education system has undergone significant

reforms. Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, strengthened the framework for higher education governance, while Republic Act No. 8292, or the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997, expanded institutional autonomy and broadened opportunities for academic development. Despite these policy advancements, the charter of TRAC has remained largely unchanged. In light of the evolving landscape of higher education and the growing demand for expanded academic programs and research capabilities in Mindanao, there is a need to strengthen the institutional framework of TRAC. Renaming the institution as the Tawi-Tawi State College (TTS) and strengthening its governing board will enhance its capacity to deliver quality instruction, research, and extension services responsive to the needs of the province and the BARMM region. More importantly, strengthening higher education institutions in geographically isolated areas such as Tawi-Tawi contributes to the broader national goal of inclusive development. By expanding access to quality tertiary education, the State empowers and communities, strengthens local capacities, and supports peace-building sustainable growth in Mindanao. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY -7 P1:20 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 2122 S. No. — Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT RENAMING THE TAWI-TAWI REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AS THE TAWI-TAWI STATE COLLEGE, STRENGTHENING ITS GOVERNING BOARD, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Renaming. - The Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC) in

2 the municipality of Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region 3 in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is renamed as the Tawi-Tawi State College (TTSC).

Sec. 2. General Mandate. - The TTSC shall primarily provide advanced

5 instruction and professional training in agriculture, education, technology, business, 6 arts and sciences, and other relevant fields of study. It shall also promote advanced 7 research, extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its areas of 8 specialization.

Sec. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The TTSC shall offer undergraduate and

10 graduate courses in the fields of agriculture, education, criminal justice, information 11 and communications technology, social sciences, business management, science and 12 mathematics, allied health, engineering and technology, nontraditional programs, 13 and other courses, as the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its

1 objectives, and those which respond to the human resource development needs of 2 the Province of Tawi-Tawi and the BARMM.

Sec. 4. Administration. - The TTSC shall have the general powers of a

4 corporation set forth in Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the 5 "Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the TTSC and 6 the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of 7 Trustees and the President of the TTSC.

Sec. 5. The Board of Trustees. - The governing body of the TTSC shall be the

• Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Chairperson of the 10 Board shall be the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and 11 the Vice Chairperson shall be the President of the TTSC. The following shall be the 12 members: a) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education of the Senate; b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, of the House of Representatives; c) Chairperson of the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Parliament; d) Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev); e) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture; f) President of the federation of faculty associations of the TTSC; g) President of the federation of student councils of the TTSC; h) President of the federation of alumni associations of the TTSC; i) Representative of the nonteaching or personnel association of the TTSC; and j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. 29 The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a list 30 of at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Tawi-Tawi, as 31 recommended by a Search Committee constituted by the President of the TTSC, in

1 consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, 2 based on the guidelines, qualifications and standards for the position set by the 3 Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment. 4 The terms of office of the presidents of the federation of faculty associations, 5 federation of student councils, federation of alumni associations, and the 6 representative of the nonteaching personnel shall be coterminous with their terms of 7 office, as provided under their respective constitutions and bylaws. 8 In case of vacancy among appointive positions in the Board, the vacancy shall be 9 filled by the Board following the guidelines set by it, and the appointee shall hold 10 office only for the unexpired portion of the term.

Sec. 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. - In addition to its general powers of

12 administration and the powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation 13 under Section 35 of RA No. 11232, and other existing laws, the Board shall have the 14 following specific powers and duties: a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies on education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education, agriculture, science and technology, and the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under R.A. No. 7722, otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994; b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils, as herein provided; c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the TTSC, the vice presidents, chancellors, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and other officials and employees of the TTSC; d) Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and employees, subject to the provisions of R.A. No. 11466, otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019", and other laws amendatory thereto,

Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing hours of service and such other requirements and conditions, other pertinent laws, rules and regulations; e) Hear and decide the administrative cases or matters brought before it on appeal from the Office of the President involving the TTSC officials and employees, in accordance with the Rules on Administrative Cases of the Civil Service Commission; f) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultation with the concerned sectors. The fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the TTSC, shall constitute its funds to be used exclusively in the pursuit of its mandate as a state college, and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the TTSC; The fees and charges collected by the TTSC, including government subsidies and proceeds from other income sources, as well as interests that would accrue therefrom, shall be retained by the College: Provided, That in no case shall the said income be used for the payment of allowances and other benefits not authorized by law: Provided, further, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purpose for which they were collected; If the TTSC, for reasons beyond its control, would not be able to pursue any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said fund for any reasonable purpose for which it deems necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives of the TTSC: Provided, That funds collected from students for specific purposes shall not be realigned or reprogrammed to other expenditures; g) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with RA No.

10931, otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act"; h) Establish professorial chairs in the TTSC and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students; i) Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided by law for the support of the TTSC, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the TTSC; j) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students; k) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, sports and human kinetics or any field of specialization within the academic competency of the TTSC, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses; I) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint experts or specialists as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be; m) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow greater access to education such as the use of information technology, online programs, the dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory; n) Absorb non-chartered tertiary education institutions within the Province of Tawi-Tawi and the BARMM as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities;

o) Authorize an external management audit of the TTSC, to be financed by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations; p) Create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish regular and extension campuses, colleges, institutes, and other academic and administrative units of the TTSC; q) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies for the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the TTSC; r) Import books or publications, instruments, equipment and apparatuses for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, medical, philosophical, historical, legal or cultural purposes; s) Enter into joint ventures with business industry, after consultation with the DEPDev for the profitable growth and management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the TTSC; t) Receive, in trust, all legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for the benefit of the TTSC and subject to the limitations, directions, and instructions of the donor, if any; u) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President and other officials of the TTSC, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the TTSC; v) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent decision-making within the TTSC;

w) Where most advantageous to the TTSC, outsource the management of nonacademic services such as health, food, buildings or grounds or property maintenance, and such other similar activities; x) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including the necessary supplies, materials, and equipment; and y) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and functions of the TTSC.

Sec. 7. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene once every

10 three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting 11 whenever necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three 12 (3) days prior to the conduct of said meeting. 13 A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of all its members holding office at 14 the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or 15 the President of the TTSC is among those present in the meeting. 16 In case the Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED 17 Commissioner duly designated by the Chairperson of the CHED as representative to 18 the meeting, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: 19 Provided, That during the meeting, the President of the TTSC, as Vice Chairperson, 20 shall be the presiding officer: Provided, further, That this provision notwithstanding, 21 the Chairperson of the CHED may designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular 22 Chairperson of the Board, in which case, the said CHED Commissioner shall act as 23 the presiding officer. 24 In case the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and 25 Vocational Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education 26 cannot attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective 27 representatives who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular 28 members of the Board.

1 The members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than 2 reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either for their 3 attendance to the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business 4 authorized by resolutions of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

Sec. 8. The Secretary of the TTSC. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary

6 who shall serve as such for both the Board and the TTSC and shall keep all records 7 and proceedings of the Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The 8 Secretary of the TTSC shall serve notice on each member of the Board of the 9 meetings of the Board.

Sec. 9. The Treasurer of the TTSC. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be

11 the ex officio Treasurer of the TTSC.

Sec. 10. The Administrative Council. There shall be an Administrative Council

13 consisting of the President of the TTSC, as Chairperson, and the vice president, 14 deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to 15 review and recommend to the Board such policies governing the administration, 16 management, and development planning of the TTSC.

Sec. 11. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council

18 consisting of the President of the TTSC, as Chairperson, and all academic staff with 19 the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members, which shall formulate 20 academic policies. 21 The Academic Council shall review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules 22 on student discipline, fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as 23 for their graduation and conferment of degrees, and formulate rules and regulations 24 on student discipline, subject to the review and approval of the Board through the 25 President of the TISC. 26 It shall have disciplinary power over the students of the TTSC and shall formulate 27 rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.

Sec. 12. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The TTSC shall

2 enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, 3 Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

Sec. 13. Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel. - All assets, both real and personal,

5 personnel and records of the TRAC, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall be 6 transferred to the TTSC. 7 All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the TRAC are declared 8 as property of the TTSC and shall be titled under its name: Provided, That should 9 the TTSC cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of 10 land be no longer needed by the TTSC, the same shall revert to the concerned local 11 government unit or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.

Sec. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial

13 implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation 14 of the TRAC. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General 15 Appropriations Act.

Sec. 15. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of RA No. 8292, otherwise

17 known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this 18 Act.

Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days of the

20 approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and 21 regulations to implement its provisions.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this

23 Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 24 affected are in full force and effect.

Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - Batas Pambansa Blg. 384, entitled "An Act

26 Converting the Sulu National Regional Agricultural School in the Municipality of 27 Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi, into a College to be Known as the Tawi-Tawi Regional 28 Agricultural College, and Authorizing the Appropriation of Funds Therefor", and all

1 laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to or 2 inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 19. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

4 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 5 Approved,