'(Qffitf of t!}»* S??1';: etiirp
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENA]
S.B. No. ^^98
23 nay 15 P4 ’28 
\
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE TAWI-TAWI REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGAO, PROVINCE OF TAWI-TAWI INTO A STATE 
COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS THE TAWI-TAWI STATE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that, nthe State shall 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall 
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all."
In 1957, Sulu National Regional Agricultural School (SNRAS) was established as 
an extension of Lapak Agricultural School in Siasi, Province of Sulu and was recognized 
as a distinct entity in 1961. When Tawi-Tawi was constituted as a separate province 
from Sulu, the SNRAS was renamed as Tawi-Tawi National Regional Agricultural School 
(TNRAS) in 1982 through Batas Pambansa Big. 199. In 1983, the school was converted 
into a college and was renamed as the Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC) 
by virtue of Batas Pambansa Big. 384.
The TRAC aims to become the center of excellence for agriculture and related 
fields in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). TRAC 
offered collegiate and graduate programs in the fields of agriculture, agricultural and 
teacher education, and home technology. In 1994, through Republic Act No. 7722 
otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, TRAC offered more programs as 
approved by its Board of Trustees. Subsequently, in 1997, RA 8292 or the Higher 
Education Modernization Act of 1997 was enacted. However, despite these 
developments in the realm of higher education, the TRAC's Charter remains unchanged.


TRAC has consistently provided educational opportunities to students within the 
province of Tawi- Tawi. However, there is a need to revise the 40-year old Charter of 
the TRAC to adapt to the future and prepare its students towards achieving higher 
excellence and equal opportunities and accessibility to quality higher education.
Hence, this bill seeks to convert Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College in the 
Municipality of Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi into a State College to be known as the 
Tawi-Tawi State College of Agriculture. This will provide the youth in the province of 
Tawi- Tawi and the BARMM, greater access and opportunities to programs, which aim 
to contribute to the social and economic development of the region.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
/WEE R. MARCOS


of tlir
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
23 MAY 15 P4 :28
RECEIVED BV:
SENATE
S.B. No. 2196
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE TAWI-TAWI REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF BON GAO, PROVINCE OF TAWI-TAWI INTO A STATE
COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS THE TAWI-TAWI STATE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Conversion. - The Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College in the 
municipality of Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in 
Muslim Mindanao, is hereby converted into a state college to be known as the Tawi- 
Tawi State College of Agriculture, and hereinafter referred to as the College.
SEC. 2. General Mandate. - The Tawi-Tawi State College of Agriculture shall 
primarily provide quality but affordable advanced instruction and technical training in 
agriculture, education, technology, business, arts and sciences, and other relevant fields 
of study. It shall undertake research and extension services and provide progressive 
leadership in its areas of specialization.
SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer undergraduate and 
graduate studies in the fields of agriculture, education, criminal justice, information and 
communications technology, social sciences, business management, science and 
mathematics, allied health, engineering and technology, nontraditional programs and 
other degrees within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the 
Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, particularly to meet 
the needs of the province of Tawi-Tawi and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in 
Muslim Mindanao.
The College shall likewise offer ladderized programs and vertically aligned 
graduate programs.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
SEC. 4. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the College shall be 
the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed 
of the following:
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as 
Chairperson;
(b) The President of the College, as Vice-Chairperson;
(c) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, 
as member;
(d) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Higher 
and Technical Education, as member;
(e) The Chairperson of the Bangsamoro Parliament Committee on Basic, 
Higher and Technical Education, as member;
(f) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), as member;
(g) The Director General of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development 
Authority, as member;
(h) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, as member;
(i) The Director General for Agricultural Services of Bangsamoro 
Government's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, as 
member;
(j) The President of the faculty association of the College, as member;
(k) The President of the Student Council of the College, as member;
(l) The President of the alumni association of the College, as member;
(m) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or fields of specialization of the College, as 
members.
The Board shall appoint the two prominent citizens from among a list of at least 
five (5) qualified persons in the province of Tawi-Tawi, as recommended by the search 
committee constituted by the College President, in consultation with the Chairperson of 
CHED and other members of the Board, based on the normal standards and 
qualifications for the position.
The term of office of the President of the faculty association, the President of 
the student council, and the President of the alumni association shall be co-terminous 
with their respective terms of office, as set forth in their respective constitution and 
bylaws.
The two prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two years from the date of 
appointment and may be reappointed for another term of two years.
SEC. 5. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall have the 
following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general powers of administration


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
and the exercise of ail the powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation 
under existing laws:
(a) To promulgate and Implement policies in accordance with the declared state 
policies on education and pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on 
education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, 
standards, and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise 
known as the Higher Education Act of 1994;
(b) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to 
carry out the purposes and functions of the College;
(c) 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 of the College;
(d) To import economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications;
(e) 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 
of the donor, if any;
(f) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary charges such as, but not limited to, 
matriculation 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 ail 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 reason beyond its control, the College shall 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 funds for any 
reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for 
the attainment of the objectives and goals of the College;
(g) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for 
greater access to poor but deserving students;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
(h) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment 
and other facilities and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal 
properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment;
(i) To appoint, upon recommendation of the President of the College, Vice 
President/s, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and other 
officials and employees of the College;
(j) 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 laws to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the 
requirements of due process of law;
(k) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline drawn 
by the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided;
(l) To set policies on admission and graduation of students;
(m) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding 
contribution in the fields of agriculture, public service, arts, science and 
technology, education or in any field of specialization within the academic 
competence of the College; and to authorize the awarding of certificates of 
completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses;
(n) To establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the province of 
Tawi-Tawi 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 promote and carry out equal and greater 
access to educational opportunities as mandated by the Constitution;
(o) To establish research and extension centers of the College where such will 
promote the development of the latter;
(p) To establish professional chairs in the College and to provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students;
(q) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the to the 
President or Officer-in-Charge and/or other officials of the College as it may


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the 
College;
(r) To authorize an external management audit of the College, to be financed by 
the CHED and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical 
Education, 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 audit results and recommendations;
(s) To collaborate with other governing boards of state universities and colleges 
within the province of Tawi-Tawi or the BARMM, 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;
(t) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
development and management of economic assets of the College, the proceeds 
from which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the same;
(u) To develop consortia and other forms of linkages with local government units, 
institutions and agencies; both public and private, local and foreign, in 
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the College;
(v) To develop academic requirements for institutional capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, local and foreign, and 
to appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange 
professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;
(w) To set up the adoption of modem and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual learning system, 
open learning or distance education and community laboratory for the promotion 
of greater access to education;
(x) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision making 
and transparency within the College;
(y) To privatize, where most advantageous to the College, the management of 
nonacademic services such as health, food, building, grounds or property 
maintenance and such other similar activities;
(z) To extend the term of the President of the College beyond the age of retirement, 
but not beyond the age of seventy (70) based on the guidelines, qualifications 
and standards set by the Board: Provided, That the President's performance has


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
been rated by the Board as outstanding, and after unanimous recommendation
by the search committee.
SEC. 6. Meetings of the Board. -The Board shall regularly convene once every 
three (3) months. Whenever necessary, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon three 
(3) days prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings within the 
same period.
A quorum of the Board shall consist of the majority of all its members holding 
office at the same time of the meeting: Provided, however. That the Chairperson of the 
CHED or the President of the College is among those present in the meeting.
In one's absence the Chairperson of the CHED shall designate a Commissioner 
of the CHED as representative in the meeting with all the rights and responsibilities of 
a regular member: Provided, however. That during this meeting, the President of the 
College as Vice Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer: Provided, further. That this 
proviso notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate 
a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chair of the Board, in which case said CHED 
Commissioner shall act as the Presiding Officer.
In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees and the Bangsamoro 
Parliament Committee on Education shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they 
may duly designate their respective representatives to attend said meeting, who shall 
have the same rights and responsibilities as a regular member of the Board.
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance 
to meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.
SEC. 7. The College President - The College shall be headed by a President, 
who shall render full-time service and who shall be appointed by the Board, subject to 
the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, upon recommendation 
of a duly constituted search committee. Provided, That this proviso notwithstanding, 
and in order to effect a smooth transition to a state college, the incumbent President 
of the Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, if qualified, shall serve as the first 
President of the College.
The College President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible 
for reappointment for another term.
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent 
President of the College, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the 
Presidency (SCP).


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory 
retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the 
functions of his/her office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the College 
within thirty (30) days from the date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new 
President. The successor or the Officer-in- Charge of the College shall serve only the 
unexpired portion of the term.
The powers and duties of the President of the College, in addition to those 
specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the 
President of similar colleges and those delegated by the Board.
The salary of the President of the College shall be in accordance with the Revised 
Compensation and Position Classification System and shall be comparable to that being 
received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions.
The President of the College shall be assisted by a Vice President for Academic 
Affairs and Vice President for Administration who shall be appointed by the Board upon 
the recommendation of the President of the College.
SEC. 8. The Secretary of the College. - The Board shall appoint a secretary, 
who shall serve as such for both the Board and the College and shall keep all records 
and proceedings of the Board. The secretary shall serve upon each member of the 
Board the appropriate notice of the Board meetings.
SEC. 9. The Treasurer of the College. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall 
be the ex officio treasurer of the College.
SEC. 10. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council 
consisting of the President of the College as Chairperson, Vice President/s, deans, 
directors and other officials of equal rank as members, whose duty is to review and 
recommend to the Board policies governing the administration, management and 
development planning of the College.
SEC. 11. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to be 
composed of the President of the College, who shall act as Chairperson, and all the 
academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor, as members.
The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the 
curricular offerings and rules of the discipline of the College, subject to the approval of 
the Board. It shall fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for 
their graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/or approval by the 
Board through the President of the College. It shall have the disciplinary power over


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
students of the College and shall formulate academic policies and rules and regulations 
on discipline, subject to the approval of the Board.
SEC. 12. The Faculty. - No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a 
matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, That 
said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set 
by the Board. Provided, further. That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against 
any particular church or religious sect.
SEC. 13. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The College shall 
enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 
5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
SEC. 14. Scholarship Prog ram/Ad mission. - The College shall provide a 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving 
students who qualify for admission to the College.
No student shall be denied admission to the College by reason of sex, religion, 
cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin.
SEC. 15. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus/Equipment/Supplies and 
Detail of Personnel. -The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government 
are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the 
College, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as maybe needed by the College, and 
to detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or 
office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be 
spared without serious detriment to public service. The employees so detailed shall 
perform such duties as required of them by the President of the College, and the time 
so employed shall be counted as part of their regular services.
SEC. 16. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
personnel and records of the College, as well as its liabilities or obligations, shall remain 
under the name of the College. The positions, rights and security of tenure of faculty 
members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversion 
into a state college shall be respected.
All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the College are 
hereby declared to be property of the College and shall be titled under its name: 
Provided, That should the College cease to exist or be abolished or should such parcels 
of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the College, the same shall revert to 
the concerned local government unit or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case 
may be.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
SEC. 17. Tax Exemption on Importation and Donations. - The importation of 
economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications, which are for economic, 
technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by 
the College, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the 
"Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)". All donations in any form to the College 
shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable 
deduction 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 of 1997, as 
amended.
SEC. 18. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
(2nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with 
the Office of the President of the Philippines, through the Chairperson of the CHED, 
and with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the progress, conditions and 
needs of the College.
SEC. 19. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part 
of this Act.
SEC. 20. Transitory Provision. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, all employees 
of the College shall be retained in their present positions and no one shall be adversely 
affected by the approval of the amendments to the original Charter.
The incumbent President of the College shall continue to hold office until the 
expiration of one (1) term.
SEC. 21. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
However, for special programs of the College not covered in the General 
Appropriations Act, it shall continue to be funded by the National Government, without 
prejudice to the power of the Bangsamoro Government to provide for supplemental 
funding for such programs and projects.
SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED and the 
Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, issue the rules and 
regulation to frilly implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any part or provision of this 
Act is declared Invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.


SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. - Batas Pambansa Big. 384, otherwise known as 
the'Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College Charter" and all laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10