CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S, B. No. 2683 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR FRANKLIN M. DRILON 
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AN ACf CONVERTING THE SURALLAH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF 
SOUTH COTABATO INTO A STATE COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
SOUTH COTABATO STATE COLLEGE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Established in 1976, the Surallah National Agricultural School stands as the lone 
government tertiary agricultural institution in the entire Province of South Cotabato. 
Notwithstanding the limited resources under its command, this institution has 
maintained its level of competence as a learning institution that offers various 
agriculture and technical related courses. 
It is thus our aspiration to further improve the facilities and services of the 
institution to better serve current students and entice prospective enrollees residing 
in the Province of South Cotabato. Being the Regional Seat of Government of Region 
XU, it is high time to establish a state college in the province that would cater to and 
address the long-time clamor of the cOffimunities for the offering of collegiate 
courses by a government institution. 
This bill seeks to convert the Surallah National Agricultural School in the Province of 
South Cotabato into a State College to be known as the South Cotabato State College 
(SCSC), and appropriating funds therefor. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2683 
I" 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR FRANKLIN M. DRILON 
,~)~'lVl h' 
j~\tI!Tr l,f Il!", ~·('rr .. b1,+ 
MArl 10 P 2 :47 
AN ACf CONVERTING THE SURALLAH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALI1Y OF SURALLAH, 
PROVINCE OF 
SOUTH COTABATO INTO A STATE COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
SOUTH COTABATO STATE COLLEGE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Surallah National Agricultural School in 
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the Municipality of Polomolok, Province of South Cotabato is hereby converted into a 
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state college to be known as the South Cotabato State College, hereinafter referred to 
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as the College. 
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SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The College shall primarily provide both 
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advanced instruction and research in agriculture and allied technological sciences 
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including education, arts and related sciences. It shall also undertake extension and 
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development programs, and provide the necessary instructional and research 
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leadership in agricultural, environmental and technological development in 
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SOCCSKSARGEN, composed of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, 
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Sarangani and General Santos City. 
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SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer undergraduate and 
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graduate courses in the fields of agriculture, environmental management, 
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engineering, education, arts and sciences, and other degree courses within its areas 
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of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of Trustees may deem 
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necessary to carry out its objectives and in order to meet the needs of the Province of 
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South Cotabato and the SOCKSARGEN. 
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SEC. 4. Administration. - The College shall have the general powers of a 
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corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa BIg. 68, as amended, otherwise known as 
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the "Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the College and the 
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exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees 
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and the President of the College. 
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SEC. 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the College shall 
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be the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be 
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composed of the following: 
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(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), ChaiJ;person; 
The President of the College, Vice Chairperson; 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and 
Culture of the Senate, member; 
(d) 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical 
Education of the House of Representatives, member; 
(e) 
The Regional Director of the National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA), member; 
(f) 
The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), 
member; 
(g) 
(h) 
(i) 
The President of the fac;.Ilty association of the College, member; 
The President ofthe student council ofthe College, member; 
The President of the alumni association of the College, member; 
and 
Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have 
distinguished themselves in their profession or fields of 
specialization of the College, members. 
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The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at 
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least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of South Cotabato, as recommended 
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by the search committee constituted by the College President, in consultation with 
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the Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the normal 
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standards and qualifications for the position. 
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The term of office of the President of the faculty association, the President of 
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the student council and the President ofthe alumni association shall be coterminous 
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with their respective terms of office, as set forth in their respective constitutions and 
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bylaws. 
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The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the 
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date of appointment. 
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SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board 
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shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
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policies on education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution 
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on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards 
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and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the 
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"Higher Education Act of 1994". 
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SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall 
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have the following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of 
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administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board of directors of 
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a corporation under existing laws: 
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(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
To promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out 
the purposes and functions ofthe College; 
To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support 
of the College in the manner it may determine in its discretion, in order 
to carry out the purposes and functions ofthe College; 
To import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books and/or 
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such imported books 
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Cd) 
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and/or publications are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as 
amended; 
To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose of the same when 
necessary for the benefit of the College, and subject to the limitations, 
directions and instructions ofthe donor, if any. 
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall 
be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the 
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code CNIRC) of 1997, as 
amended: Provided, That such donations shall not be disposed of, 
transferred or sold; 
To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as, but 
not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, 
as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations with 
the involved sectors. Such fees and charges, including government 
subsidies and other income generated by the College, shall constitute 
special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized 
government depository bank, and all interests that shall accrue 
therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the College. 
Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the College from tuition fees 
and other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services 
and land grants, shall be retained by the College, and may be disbursed 
by the Board for 
instruction, research, 
extension or other 
programs/projects of the College: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall 
be disbursed for the specific purposes for which these are collected. 
If, for reasons beyon~ its control, the College shall not be able to pursue 
any project for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated 
under its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize 
the use of said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its 
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(f) 
(g) 
(h) 
(i) 
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(k) 
(I) 
discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the 
objectives and goals of the College; 
To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees 
for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real 
property, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
To appoint upon recommendation of the President of the College, Vice 
Presidents, deans, directors, heads of campuses, faculty members, and 
other officials and employees ofthe College; 
To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative 
officials and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised 
Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent 
budget and compensation laws governing hours of service and such 
other duties and conditions as it may deem proper; to grant them, at its 
discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it may 
promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the 
requirements of due process ot law; 
To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline 
drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils herein provided; 
To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their 
outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, 
science and technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization 
within the academic competence of the College; and to authorize the 
awarding of certificates of completion of non-degree and non-
traditional courses; 
(m) 
To establish and absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the 
Province of South Cotabato as branches and centers in coordination 
with the CHED, and in consultation with the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), and to offer therein programs or courses, to 
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promote and carry out equal access to educational opportunities as 
mandated by the Constitution; 
To establish research and extension centers of the College where such 
will promote the development of the latter; 
To establish professorial chairs in the College and to provide 
fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships 
to 
deserving students; 
To delegate any of its powers and duties provided Herein above to the 
President and/or other officials of the College as it may deem 
appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the 
College; 
To authorize an external management audit of the College, to be 
financed by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the 
Commission on Audit (COA); and to institute reforms, including 
academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and 
recommendations; 
To collaborate with other governing boards of the state colleges and 
universities within the Province of South Cotabato or the REGION XII 
(SOCCSKSARGEN), under the supervision of the CHED and in 
consultation with the DBM, and work towards the restructuring of the 
College to become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the 
profitable development and management of the economic assets of the 
College, the proceeds from which shall be used for the development and 
strengthening of the College; 
To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units, institutions and agencies, both public and private, 
local and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of 
the College; 
To develop academic' arrangements for institutional capability building 
with appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local 
and foreign, and to appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-
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(v) 
time or visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the 
case maybe; 
To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning 
system, open or distance education and community laboratory for the 
promotion of greater access to education; 
(w) 
To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative 
decision-making and transparency within the College; 
(x) 
To privatize, where most advantageous to the College, management of 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or 
property maintenance and such other similar activities; and 
(y) 
To extend the term of the President of the College beyond the age of 
retirement but not beyond the age of seventy (70), whose performance 
has been unanimously rated by the Board as outstanding based on the 
guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, after 
unanimous recommendation by the search committee. 
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SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at 
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least once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three (3) 
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days' prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever 
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necessary. 
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'A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding 
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office at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, that the Chairperson of the 
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Board or the President of the College is among those present in the meeting. 
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In the absence of the Chairperson ofthe CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED, 
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duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the 
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rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this 
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meeting, the President of the College as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding 
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Officer: Provided, fttrther, That this provison notwithstanding, the Chairperson of 
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the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular 
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Chair of the Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding 
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Officer. 
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In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Educatio~ shall 
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not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
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representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and 
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responsibilities as a regular member of the Board. 
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The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
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reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their 
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attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business 
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authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations. 
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SEC. 9. The College President. - The College shall be headed by a 
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President, who shall render full-time service. He/she shall be appointed by the 
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Board, subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, 
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ullon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. 
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He/she shall serve for a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for 
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reappointment for another term': Provided, That in order to effect a smooth 
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transition to a state College, the incumbent President of the Surallah National 
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Agricultural School shall ipso fucto become the first President of the College. 
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Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the 
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incumbent President of the College, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee 
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for the Presidency (SCP). 
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, 
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compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the president 
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to perform the functions of his/her office, the Board shall have the authority to 
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desigrrate an Officer-in-Charge of the College pending the appointment of a new 
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President. 
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In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the 
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immediately preceding paragraph, his/her successor or the Officer-in-Charge shall 
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serve only the unexpired portion of the term. 
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The powers and duties of the President of the College, in addition to those 
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specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the 
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President of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board. 
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The salary of the President of the College shall be in accordance with the 
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Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to 
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that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
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. The President of the College shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic 
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Affairs and a Vice President for Administration, who shall be appointed by the Board 
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upon recommendation of the President. 
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SEC. 10. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative 
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Council consisting of the President of the College as Chairperson, Vice Presidents, 
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deans, directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review 
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and recommend to the Board the policies governing the administration, management 
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and development planning of the College. 
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SEC. 11. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to 
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be composed of the President of the College, who shall act as Chairperson, and all the 
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academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members. 
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The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
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curricular offerings and rules of diSCipline of the College, subject to the approval of 
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the Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of students as well as for 
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their graduation and the conferment of degrees, subject to review and/ or approval by 
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the Board through the President of the College. It shall have the disciplinary power 
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over students of the College and shall formulate academic policies and rules and 
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regulations on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board. 
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SEC. 12. The Secretary of the College. - The Board shall appoint a 
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Secretary, who shall serve as such for both the Board and the College and shall keep 
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all records and proceedings of the Board. He/she shall serve upon each member of 
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the Board the appropriate notice of the Boar.:! meetings. 
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SEC. 13. The Treasurer of the College. -
The Treasurer of the 
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Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the College. 
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SEC. 14. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
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community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
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matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, 
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however, That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications 
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and/or standards set by the Board: Provided,jilrther, that no member of the faculty 
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shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect. 
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SEC. 15. Scholarship Program/Admission. - The College shall provide 
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a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but 
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deserving students who qualify for admission to the College. No student shall be 
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denied admission to the College by reason of sex, religion, cultural or community 
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affiliation or ethnic origin. 
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SEC. 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The 
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College shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to 
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paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the 
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Philippines. 
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SEC. 17. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/ Equipment/ 
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Supplies and Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the 
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national government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of 
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the President of the College, such appar2Jus, equipment or supplies as may be 
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needed by the College, and to detail employees for duty therein when, in the 
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judgment of the head of bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or 
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services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment to the public 
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service. The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by 
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the President of the College, and the time so employed shall be counted as part of 
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their regular services. 
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SEC. 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. -
All assets, real and 
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personal, personnel and records of the Surallah National Agricultural School, as well 
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as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the College. The positions, 
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rights and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed 
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under existing laws prior to the conversion into a College shall be respected. 
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All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the The 
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Surallah National Agricultural School are hereby declared to be property of the 
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Colleg~ and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the College cease 
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to exist or be abolished or should such parcels of land aforementioned be no longer 
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needed by the College, the same shall revert to the national government. 
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SEC. 19. Appropriations. -
The amount necessary to carry out the 
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provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
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the The Surallah National Agricultural School. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
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necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the South Cotabato State 
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College shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 20. Development Plan, Management Audit/ Organizational/ 
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Administrative/ Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred 
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twenty (120) days after the approval of this !.ct, the College shall accomplish the 
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following: 
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(a) 
(b) 
Submit a five (5)-yea~ development plan, including its corresponding 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to 
the DBM; 
Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; 
And 
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(b) 
Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative as well as 
academic structure, including the appointment of the College key 
officials. 
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SEC. 21. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the 
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second (2nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board 
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shall file with the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Chairperson 
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of the.CHED, and with both Houses of Congress a detailed report on the progress, 
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conditions and needs ofthe College. 
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SEC. 22. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 
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8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall 
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be an integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of the Governing Charter of the 
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College. 
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SEC. 23. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, 
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responsibilities and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under 
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existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the College and/or its 
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officials, whenever appropriate. 
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.SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The Board, in 
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consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 25. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
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this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
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affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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