EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2096
Introduced by SEN. IMEE R. MARCOS
%
March
DATs
sriffcX
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECDA TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE ALIAGA POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
I 
THEREFOR
i
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that, 'The State shall 
protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall 
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all."
Education has the power to uplift a country and establish a healthy, efficient 
economy, according to the Borgen Project. The economic benefits of education are 
undeniably important to a countries growth.
According to the World Bank, one of the main benefits of education is labor 
market earnings. Employees with more education earn more than those with no post­
secondary education. Those who stopped studying in school when they got a high 
school degree are twice as susceptible to unemployment compared to workers with a 
bachelor's degree.
. In one of its publications, Asia Society pointed that the core barrier to many 
young people here in the Philippines to further their educational attainment is poverty. 
A significant number of students are unable to finish education because they do not 
have enough resources that will enable them to go to school and receive a decent 
education. This limits the educational opportunities available for the poor but 
deserving students. It is the duty of the government to ensure that proper education 
is accessible to all especially those who are less privileged in life.
According to the 2021 General Appropriations Act, there are only two state- 
funded educational institutions in the province of Nueva Ecija: Central Luzon State 
University (CLSU) in the Science City of Munoz and Nueva Ecija University of Science 
and Technology (NEUST) in Cabanatuan City. The establishment of another state- 
funded college in the province will certainly provide haven for students from less


privileged families. Moreover, graduates of polytechnic institutions will have good 
chances in the workforce since these institutions have career-focused curriculum 
which combine applied learning with a liberal arts education.
This bill seeks for the establishment of a Polytechnic State College in the 
Municipality of Aliaga, Province of Nueva Edja to be known as the Aliaga Polytechnic 
State College to provide refuge for students seeking further education but do not have 
the financial capability.
This bill also seeks to address the clamor of the people in the province to have 
access to quality and affordable tertiary educational institution accessible to all without 
having to leave the province and live elsewhere.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2096
m
March
DATE
t»ME£
Introduced by SEN. IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECUA TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE ALIAGA POLYTECHNIC 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. Establishment. - There is hereby established a polytechnic state
2 
college in the Municipality of Aliaga, Province of Nueva Edja to be known as the Aliaga
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Polytechnic State College, hereinafter referred to as the College. Its main campus shall
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be located in the Municipality of Aliaga of he said province.
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SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The College shall primarily provide advanced
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education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in the fields of
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agriculture, arts and sciences, teacher education, commerce, business administration,
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engineering, and social sciences as well as short-term technical-vocational courses
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that will support the development of the Province of Nueva Edja and Region III.
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SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer short-term technical-
11 
vocational courses, undergraduate, and graduate courses within its competency and
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areas of specialization in the fields of agriculture, arts and sciences, teacher education,
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commerce, business administration, engineering, and social sciences and other degree
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courses, as the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, and
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those which respond to human resource development needs of the Province of Nueva
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Edja and Region III.
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The existing and any other future technical-vocational courses or programs
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under the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
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(TESDA) shall remain and continue to be offered within the campus of the College.
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The College may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school, if it has a College
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of Education.


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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 Corporate 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. Vie Governing Board. - The governing body of the College shall be
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vested In its Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be
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chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education
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(CHED) and the President of the College, respectively, with the following as members:
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a) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical, Vocational Education of
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the Senate;
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b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the
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House of Representatives;
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c) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority;
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d) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture;
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e) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology;
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0 Regional Director of the TESDA;
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g) President of the federation of faculty associations of the College;
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h) President of the federation of student councils of the College;
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I) President of the federation of alumni associations of the College; and
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j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished
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themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.
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The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of five
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(5) qualified persons in the Province of Nueva Edja, as recommended by the search
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committee constituted by the College President, In consultation with the Chairperson
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of the CHED and the other members of the Board, based on the normal standards and
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qualifications for the position set by the Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2)
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years from the date of appointment.
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Membership of the President of the federation of faculty associations, the
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President of the federation of student councils, and the President of the federation of
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alumni associations in the governing board, shall be coterminous with their terms of
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office, as provided under their respective constitution and bylaws.
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SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board shall
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promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies on
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education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education, agriculture.


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science and technology, and the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under
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Republic Act No. (RA) 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994".
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SEC. 7. Powers and Dudes of the Board of Trustees. - In addition to its general
4 
powers of administration and the powers granted to the board of directors of a
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corporation under existing laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers
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and duties:
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a) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn
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by the Administrative and Academic Councils herein provided;
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b) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the College, the vice
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presidents, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and other
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officials and employees of the College;
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c) Fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members, administrative officials and
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employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position
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Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws, including
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those governing the hours of service, and such other duties and conditions as it may
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deem proper; grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations
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as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding;
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and remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of
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law;
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d) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as
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matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem
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proper to impose, after due consultation with the concerned sectors. The fees and
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charges. Including government subsidies and other income generated by the College,
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shall constitute its special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized
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government depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part
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of the same funds for the use of the College.
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Any provision of existing laws, rules or regulations to the contrary
28 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the College from tuition fees and other
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charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be
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retained by the College and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research,
31 
extension services or other programs and projects of the College: Provided, That all
32 
fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which these are collected:
33 
Provided, however, That if, for reasons beyond its control, the College shall not be
34 
able to pursue any project for which the funds have been appropriated and allocated
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under its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of the
36 
funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and
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urgent for the attainment bf the objectives and goals of the College;


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e) 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 or 
the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act";
f) 
Establish professorial chairs in the College and provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;
g) 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 of the College;
h) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;
i) 
Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, 
agriculture or any area of specialization within the academic competency of the 
College, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and 
nontraditional courses;
j) 
Establish research and extension centers to promote the development of 
the College;
k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and 
appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting/exchange professors, 
scholars or researchers, as the case may be;
l) 
Adopt modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for the 
promotion of greater access to education such as the use of information technology, 
dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory;
m) Collaborate with the governing boards of other state universities and 
colleges within the Province of Nueva Ecija and Region III, under the supervision of 
the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
in restructuring the College to make it more efficient, relevant, productive and 
competitive;
n) Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Nueva Ecija
and Region III, as branches and extension/extemal centers, in coordination with the 
CHED and in consultation with the DBM, and offer therein programs or courses to 
carry out the Constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational 
opportunities; 
1
o) 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, and 
institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit 
results and recommendations;


1 
p) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local
2 
government units (LGUs), as well as public, private, local and foreign institutions and
3 
agencies, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the Coiiege;
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q) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications;
5 
r) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable
6 
development and management of the economic assets of the College. The proceeds
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of which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the College;
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s) Receive, in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of reai and personal
9 
properties of aii kinds and to administer and dispose of the same, when necessary,
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for the benefit of the Coiiege, and subject to the iimitations, directions and instructions
11 
of the donor, if any;
12 
t) Extend the term of the President of the Coiiege beyond the age of
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retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guideiines,
14 
qualifications and standards set by the Board: Provided, That the President's
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performance has been rated by the Board as outstanding and a unanimous
16 
recommendation has been decided by the search committee;
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u) Deiegate any of its powers and duties provided to the President and other
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officiate of the Coiiege, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the
19 
administration of the affairs of the Coiiege;
20 
v) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making
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and transparency within the Coiiege;
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w) Where most advantageous to the Coiiege, privatize the management of
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nonacademic services such as heaith, food, buiiding or grounds or property
24 
maintenance, and such other similar activities;
25 
' 
x) Authorize the construction or repair of its buiidings, machinery, equipment
26 
and other faciiities, and the purchase and acquisition of reai property, inciuding the
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necessary supplies, materiais and equipment; and
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y) Promuigate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the
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purposes and functions of the Coiiege.
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SEC. 8. Meetings of the Boatxl.—The Board shali regularly convene at least once
31 
every three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special
32 
meeting whenever necessary; Provided, That members are notified in writing at ieast
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three (3) days prior to the conduct of said meeting.
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A quorum of the Board shail consist of majority of aii its members holding office
35 
at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or
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the President of the Coiiege is among those present in the meeting.


1 
In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, a Commissioner of the CHED,
2 
duly designated by him/her, shall represent him/her in the meeting with all the rights
3 
and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That during this meeting,
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the President of the College as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer:
5 
Provide, further, That this proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is
6 
hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the
7 
Board, In which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer.
8 
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall
9 
not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their respective 
10' representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same rights and
11 
responsibilities as a regular member of the Board.
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SEC. 9. Compensation. — The members of the Board shall not receive any salary
13 
but shall be entitled to reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses Incurred,
14 
either in their attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official
15 
business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and
16 
regulations.
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SEC. 10. The Coiiege President. — The College shall be headed by a President,
18 
shall render full-time service and be appointed by the Board, subject to the guidelines,
19 
qualifications and standards set by the Board, upon the recommendation of a duly
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constituted search committee. The President shall have a term of four (4) years and
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shall be eligible for reappointment for another term. Within six (6) months before the
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expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the College, the Board
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shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency.
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The Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the College in case of vacancy
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In the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation,
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removal for cause, or incapacity of the President to perform the functions of the office,
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pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the Officer-in-Charge
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shall serve only during 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 colleges, and those delegated by the Board.
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The salary of the President of the College shall be in accordance with Republic
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Act No. 11466 or the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019", and by such other laws
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amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, 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, a Vice President for Administration, and a Vice President for Research,
38 
Extension and Training, who shall all be appointed by the Board upon recommendation
39 
of the President.


1 
SEC. 11. The Secretary of tile College. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary who
2 
shall serve as such for both the Board and the College and shall keep all records and
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proceedings of the Board. The Secretary shall communicate to each member of the
4 
Board the notice of meetings.
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SEC. 12. The Treasurer of the College. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall
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be the ex officio treasurer of the College.
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SEC. 13. Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Councii
8 
consisting of the President of the College as Chairperson, the vice presidents, deans,
9 
directors and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to review and
10 
recommend to the Board the policies governing the administration, management and
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deveiopment planning of the Coiiege.
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SEC. 14. Academic Council. — There shall be an Academic Council to be
13 
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, which
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shall formulate academic policies.
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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 for appropriate action
18 
of the Board. It shall fix the requirements for admission as well as for their graduation
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and conferment of degrees, subject to review and approval by the Board through the
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President of the College. It shall exercise disciplinary power over the students of the
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College and shall issue rules and regulations on discipline of students, subject to the
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approval of the Board.
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SEC. 15. Faculty. — No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or community
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affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry
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in the appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, however. That said
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appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by
27 
the Board: Provided, further. That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against
28 
any particular church or religious set.
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SEC. 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. — The College shall
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enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section
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5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
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SEC. 17. Admission/ Scholarship Program. — No student shall be denied
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admission to the College by reasons of sex, nationality, religion, political affiliation,
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physical disability, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. The College shall
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provide for a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor
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but deserving students who qualify for admission to the College.
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SEC. 18. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/ Equipment/ Supplies and
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Detail of Personnel. - The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government
39 
are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the


1 
College, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the College, and
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to detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or
3 
office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be
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spared without serious detriment to public service.
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The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the
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President of the College, and the time so employed shall be counted as part of their
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regular services.
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SEC. 19. Assets, Uabilitles and Personnel. — All parcels of land belonging to the
9 
government occupied by the Aliaga Polytechnic State College are hereby declared to
10 
be property of the College, and shall be titled under the name: Provided, That should
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the College cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned parceis of
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land be no longer needed by the College, the same shall revert to the national
13 
government or to the concerned LGU.
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SEC. 20. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. — The Importation of
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economic, technical, and cultural books or publications, which are for economic,
16 
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by
17 
the College upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in
18 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the
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"Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)".
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Aii grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to the
21 
College, to be used actually, directly, and exclusively by it, shall be exempt from
22 
donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross
23 
income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal
24 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
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SEC. 21. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of this Act
26 
notwithstanding, the establishment of the institution into a state coiiege shali become
27 
effective only upon the determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the
28 
recommendation of a panei of experts it shali constitute for the purpose, that the
29 
institution has compiied with the requirements for a college status based on CHED
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Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 (Policy-Standard to Enhance Quaiity
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Assurance in Phiiippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-Based and Typoiogy-
32 
Based Quaiity Assurance): Provided, That the panel may issue such recommendation
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when the institution has substantialiy complied with the requirements for the grant of
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status as a state college.
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The following operational requirements for a state coliege, as estabiished by the
36 
CHED, shail be complied with. As such, the Coliege shail:
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a) employ fuli-time, permanent feculty members who possess relevant degrees,
38 
as required by the CHED, and shali have experience in the subject areas they
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handie;


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b) offer a comprehensive range of degree programs characterized by a core
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curricuium that hoiisticaiiy deveiops thinking, probiem soiving, decision-
3 
making, communication, technicai, and sociai skiiis in iine with the mission
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of the Coiiege;
5 
c) possess iearning resources and support structures that are appropriate for
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deveioping knowledge and skills in the specific natural science, social
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science, humanities, and professionai disciplines offered by the Coiiege,
8 
including laboratories, books and journals, etc.;
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d) maintain iinkages with the community that would ensure the development
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of relevant academic and extension programs, as weli as the appiication of
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their learning outcomes; and
12 
e) conduct outreach programs involving students in sociai deveiopment-
13 
oriented experiences that allow them to contextualize their knowledge within
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actuai social and human experiences.
15 
The CHED, through its regionai office, shali reguiariy provide technical assistance
16 
to the institution and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the Commission.
17 
The institution shaii retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act untii it is
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able to comply with the requirements provided herein.
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SEC. 22. Development Plan, Management Audits Organizational/Administrative/
20 
Academic Structure. — Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the
21 
approval of this Act, the Coiiege shall accomplish the foiiowing:
22 
a) Submit a five (5)-year deveiopment plan, including its corresponding program
23 
budget to the CHED for corresponding recommendation to the DBM;
24 
b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and
25 
c) Accordingiy set up its organizationai, administrative as weii as academic
26 
structure, inciuding the appointment of the key officiais of the Coiiege.
27 
SEC. 23. Filing of Report. — On or before the fifteenth (15) day of the second
28 
month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with the
29 
Office of the President of the Phiiippines, through the Chairperson of the CHED, and
30 
with both Houses of Congress, a detaiied report on the progress, condition, and needs
31 
of the College.
32 
SEC. 24. Suppletory Application. — The provisions of Repubiic Act No. 8292,
33 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall be an
34 
integral part of this Act and shaii serve as part of the Governing Charter of the Coiiege.
35 
SEC. 25. Parity Clause. — Aii other powers, functions, priviieges, responsibilities,
36 
and limitations under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or Imposed upon the
37 
College and officials, whenever appropriate.


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SEC. 26. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
2 
this Act shaii be inciuded in the annuai Generai Appropriations Act.
3 
SEC. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
4 
effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consuitation with the CHED, shaii formuiate the
5 
guideiines to fliliy impiement the provisions of this Act
6 
SEC. 28. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision
7 
of this Act shaii be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions
8 
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
9 
SEC. 29. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and
10 
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of
11 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
12 
SEC. 30. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect effect fifteen (15) days
13 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in
14 
the Philippines.
Approved,
10