SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
)
a C, IN A  T n
S.B. No. 
1 587
'17 
SEP 13 
P 5  ;19
RKt'V.L'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /
Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
■7^
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH COTABATO STATE COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COT ABATO, 
INTEGRATING 
THEREWITH 
THE 
SURALLAH 
NATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
SURALLAH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As the Province of South Cotabato is gearing towards the development 
and idustrialization, particularly in die aspect education, tertiary level schools 
must he at pare and these may be attained thru the conversion of the SuraUah 
National Agricultural School into a state college.
The Surallah National Agricultural School is the lone tertiary 
government institution that focuses on agricultre education in the Province of 
South Cotabato. It was established in 1976 and since then provides the people 
the tenacity to achieve competency and proficiency in fulfilling its mandate.
As it aspires to further improve the delivery of quality education to the 
people, the conversion mto a state college will widen the opportumty to 
achieve its goal. The improvement of the facilities and services will gready 
benefit the pieople especially the youth of South Cotabato and nearby 
provinces.
This proposed bill seeks to convert the SuraUah National Agricultural 
School in the Province of South Cotabato into a state coUege to be known as


South Cotabato State College (SCSC), and for such purpose, appropriating 
funds therefor.
In view of the foregoing, passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
)
I;"-*’ :.
V -  I £ -1' rr; r[ I n - 
'
•17 
SEP 13 
P 5  -19
» IN A  1 C,
S.B. No. 
1587
RECBi-VD L.
Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH COTABATO STATE COLLEGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO, 
INTEGRATING 
THEREWITH 
IHE 
SURALLAH 
NATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
SURALLAH 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 state college in
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tlie Municipality of Surallah, Province of South Cotabato to be known as the
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South Cotabato State College (SCSC), hereinafter referred to as the College,
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and integrating therewidr the Surallah National Agricultural School (SUNAS),
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located in tlie Municipality of Surallah, Province of South Cotabato. Its main
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campus shall be located in the Municipality of Surallah.
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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
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sciences includiirg education, arts and related sciences. It shall also undertake
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extension 
and 
development 
programs, 
and 
provide 
the 
necessary
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instructional and research leadership in agricultural, environmental and
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teclmological development in Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN).
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SEC. 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer undergraduate and
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graduate courses I the fields of agriculture, environmental management,
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engineering, education, arts and sciences, and other degree courses within its


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areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of
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Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objective and in order to meet
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the needs of the Province of South Cotabato and the SOCCSKSARGEN.
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The existing and any other future teclmical-vocational courses or
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programs under the supervision of the Teclxnical Education and Skills
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Development Autliority (TESDA) shall remain and continue to be offered
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within tlie campus of the College.
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SEC. 4. Administration. - The College sliall have the general powers of a
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corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, otherwise
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known as "The Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of
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the College and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively
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in the Board of Trustees and the President of the College.
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SEC. 5. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the College shall be
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the Board of Trustees, hereiiiafter referred to as the Board, which shall be
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composed of the following:
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Tire Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
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Chairperson;
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The Fresiuenr of the College, Vice Chairperson;
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The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the
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Senate, member;
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The Chairperson of tire Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the
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The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA), member;
The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), member;
Tire Regional Director of the TESDA, member;
The President of the federation of faculty associations of the College, member; 
The President of the federation of student councils of the College, member;
The President of the federation of alumni associations of the College, member; 
and
Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their profession or field of specialization of the College, 
members.


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The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens from among a list of at 
least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of South Cotabato, as 
recommended by the search committee to be constituted by the College 
President, in consultation witli Chairperson of the CHED and other members 
of the Board, based on the normal standards and qualifications for the 
position.
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the 
date of appoiirtment.
SEC. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. - The Board shall 
promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies on education and other pertinent provisions or the Philippine 
Constitution on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the 
policies, standards and trusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, 
otherwise known as tire "Higher Education Act of 1994".
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall have the 
followmg specific powers and duties in addition to its general powers of 
administration and tire exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of 
Directors of a corporation under existing laws:
a) To promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out 
the purposes and functions of the College;
b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support 
of the College in the mamrer it may determine in its discretion, in order 
to carry out purposes and functions of the College;
c) To import economic, teclmical and cultural books and publication;
d) To receive in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of aii kinds and to administer and dispose of tiie same wiien 
necessary for the benefit of the College, and subject to the limitations, 
directions and instructions of the donor, if any;
e) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as
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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


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bank, and ail interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the
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same funds for the use of the College. Any provision of existing laws,
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rules and regulations to the contrary notwitlistanding, any income
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generated by the College from tuition fees and other charges, as well as
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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
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instruction, research, extension or other programs/projects of the
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College: Provided, Tlrat all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the
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specific purposes for which these are collected. If, for reasons beyond its
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control, tire funds have been appropriated and allocated under its
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approved program of expenditures, tire Board may authorize the use of
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said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be
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necessary and urgent for the attaLninenl of the objectives and goals of
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the College;
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f) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees
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for greater access to poor but deserving students;
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To 3vtlioriZw tii3 construction, or rcj?3ir of its buildin^S/ m3Ctiinor^f/
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equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real
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property, including necessar}^ supplies, materials and equipment;
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h) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of tire College,
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vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of campuses, faculty members,
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and other officials and employees of the College;
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i) To fix and adjust tire salaries of faculty members and administrative
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officials and employees, subject to the provisioirs of the Revised
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Compensation and Position Classification System and otlrer pertinent
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budget and compensation laws governing hours of service, and such
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other duties and conditioirs as it may deem proper; to grant them, at its
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discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it may
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promulgate, 
any 
provision 
of 
existing 
law 
to 
tire 
contrary
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noiwiiiisianding; and to remove them for cause in accordance witir tire
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requirements of the process of law;
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j) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of discipline
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drawn by the Admiiristrative and Academic Councils herein provided;
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k) 
set poIiciec oil ac^Ti^icci*Gii 
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1) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their
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outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts,
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science and technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization
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within the academic competence of the College, and to autlrorize the


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awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional 
courses;
m ) To establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the 
Province of South Cotabato as branches and centers in coordiiiation 
with die CHED and, in consultation widi die Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), and to offer therein programs or courses to 
promote and carry out equal access to educational opportunities, as 
mandated by the Constitution;
n) To establish research and extension centers to promote die development 
of the College;
o) To establish professorial chairs in the College and to provide 
fellowships for qualified faculty members, and scholarships to 
deserving siudenis;
p) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to 
the President or other officials of the College, as it may deem 
appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the
---------
q) To authorize an external management audit of the College, to be 
financed by 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;
r) To collaborate with other governing boards of state universities and 
colleges (SUCs) within the Province of South Cotabato or Region XII 
(SOCCSKSARGEN), under tlie supervision of the CHED and in 
consultation witli tlie DBM, and work towards tlie restructuring of the 
College to become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive;
s) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the 
profitable development and management of the economic assets of the 
College, ihe proceeds from which siiau be used for die deveiopmeni 
and strengthening of the College;
t) To develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local 
government units, institutions and agencies, both public and private,
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the College;
u) 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-time or


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visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may 
be;
v) To set up the atloption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge such as tire use of information technology, the dual training 
system, open distance learning and commmrity 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 
nonacademic services such as healtlr, 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 
reiireineni, 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 standards set by tlie Board, after 
unanimous recommendation by the search committee.
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Board. - Tlie Board shall regularly convene at least 
once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon tliree 
(3) days' prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings 
whenever necessary. A quorum of the Broad shall consist of majority of all its 
members holding office at the time of the meeting: Provided, That the 
Chairperson of the Board or the President of the College must be present in 
tlie meeting.
The Chairperson of the CHED may designate a Commissioner of the CHED as 
the Chairperson's representative in tlie meeting, witli all the rights and 
responsibilities of a regular member; Provided, however, Tliat during the 
meeting, the President of the College, as Vice Chairperson, shall be tlie 
presiding officer: Provided, furuier, Hiai iiiis proviso nolwidisiaiiding, die 
Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED 
Commissioner as the regular Chairperson of the Board, which case said 
CHED Commissioner shall act as tlie presiding officer.
In case the Chairpersons of tlie House and Senate Committees on Education 
shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they may duly designate their 
respective representatives to attend the said meeting, who shall have the same 
rights and responsibilities as regular member of the Board.


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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 coimection with other official 
business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and 
regulations.
SEC. 9. The College President. - The College shall be headed by a President, 
who render full-time service. The President shall be appointed by the Board, 
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board, upon 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.
Tiie PiesideTu shall serve fox a lei in of iOut (4) years and shall he 
eligible for reappointment for another term: Provided, That in order to effect a 
smooth transition to a state college, tlie incumbent Vocational School 
Administrator of the SUN AS, if qualified, shall ipso facto become the first 
President of the College.
Within six (6) montlis before the expiration of the term of office of the 
incumbent President of the College, the Board shall constitute the Search 
Committee for tire Presidency (SCP).
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 the office, the Board shall have the 
authority to designate an Officer-m-Cnarge of me College pending the 
appointment of a new President.
In case of vacancy in the Office of tire President as mentioned in the
t r v » i  -:i foix r 
inrr »nara rrrci 
SVICC^SSOT OT
shall serve oirly for the unexpired portion of tire term.
The powers and duties of the President of the College, in addition to those 
specifically provided in tlris Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office 
of the President of similar universities and colleges, and those delegated by 
the Board.
The salary of the President of the College shall in accordance with the 
Revised Compensation and Position Classification System, as modified by


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Joint Resolution No. 4 dated June 17, 2009 and other pertinent budget and 
compensahon laws, and shall be comparable to that being received by the 
Presidents of similar educational institutions.
The President of the College sliall be assisted by the Vice President for 
Academic Affairs and a Vice President for Administration, who shall be 
appointed by tlie Board upon recommendation of the President.
SEC. 10. Tire Administrative Council. - Tlrere shall be an Administrative 
Council consistiirg of tire President of the College, as Chairperson, vice 
presidents, deairs, directors and other officials of equal rank, as members, 
whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board the policies governing 
tire aumiirisiration, management and development piamriirg of the College.
SEC. 11. The Academic Council. - Tlrere shall be an Academic Council to be 
composed of tire President of tire College, who shall act as Clrairperson, and 
al! 
scsd^mic st^ff v/itli tiiw rsnJk of st lo2.st 
3ssist3iit profsssor, ss 
members.
The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend 
the curricular offerings and rules of disdpliire 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 approval by the Board through the President of the College. It 
shall have the discipliirary power over students of the College and shall 
formulate academic policies and rules and regulations on discipline, subject to 
tlie approval of the Board.
SEC. 12. Tlie Secretary of the College. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary, 
who shall as such for both the Board and die College and shall keep all 
records and proceedings of tlie Board. Tire Secretary shall serve upon each 
member of the Board the appropriate notice of the Board meetings.
T T 1.0 T r j ^ o c i i r o r  
y ^ lI.0 /T 0    T T i o  T r o a c u r o r  
S f l S l l
be the ex officio Treasurer of the College.
SEC. 14. The Faculty. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or 
community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation


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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 standards set by the Board: Provided, further. That no 
member of tlie faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or 
religious sect.
SEC. 15. Scholarship Program/Admission. - The College shall provide a 
scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but 
deserving students who quality for admission to the College. No student shall 
be denied admission to the College by reason of sex, religion, cultural or 
community affiliation or etlmic origin.
SEC. 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - Tile College shall 
enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, 
Section 5 Article XIV of tlie Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
SEC 1.^ AutlrGritj7 to E0 2 0  or Trs.osfsr A.j?j?2.r3tos/E'(^uij?!nontySvipj?lios 
Detail of Persormel. - 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 may be 
needed by the College, and to detail employees for duty tlierein when, in the 
judgement of the head of the bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, 
supplies or services. 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. 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. - All assets, real and personal, 
personnel and records of the SUN AS, as well as its liabilities or obligations, 
are hereby transferred to the College: Provided, Tliat Uie positions, rights and 
security of tenure of facuiiy members and persoiuiel therein employed under 
existing laws prior to tire integration of the SUN AS into the College shall be 
respected: Provided, further. That the incumbents of the positions shall 
remain in the same status until otherwise provided for by the Board:
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its human resource component. All parcels of land belonging to the 
government occupied by tlie SUNAS are hereby declared to be property of the 
College and shall be titled under that name: Provided, That should the 
College cease to exist or be abolished, or should such parcels of land


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aforementioned be no longer needed by the College, the same shall revert to 
the national government or to the concerned local government unit.
SEC. 19. Appropriations. - Tlie amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in tire aimual General Appropriatioirs Act.
SEC. 20. Tax Exemption. - The importation of economic, technical and cultural 
books or publications, which are for economic, teclmical, vocational, scientific, 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by the College, upon 
certification by tire CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance 
with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Phihppines, as 
amended.
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions 
made to tire College to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the 
College shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as 
allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor for purposes of 
computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with tire provisions 
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
SEC. 
21. 
Development 
Plan, 
Management
Audit/Organizational/Administrative /Academic Structure. - Within the 
period of one hundred twenty (120) days after tire approval of tlris Act, the 
College shall accomplish the followiirg:
1. Submit a five (5)-year ueveiopmeirr plan, iircludiirg its corresponding 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to 
the DBM;
2. Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and
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academic structure, including the appointment of the College key 
officials.
SEC. 22. Annual Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second 
montlr after the opeiriirg of the regular classes each year, tire Board shall file 
witlr the Office of the President of the Philippines, tlrrough the Chairperson of 
the CHED and with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the 
progress, condition and needs of the College.
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SEC. 23. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, 
otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall 
be an integral part of this Act and shall serve as part of tlie Governing Charter 
of the College.
SEC. 24. Parity Clause. - All other powers, functions and privileges, 
responsibilities and limitations to SUCs and their officials under existing laws 
shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the College and its officials, 
whenever appropriate.
SEC. 25. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of this Act
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i i u i w i i u M c t i i u i i i ^ ,  u i e  trsL ciu ib ^ iiiiieiii u i  L U i i v t i S i O i i  Oi lu tr u iS u L u i iO ii i i i i u  a S i d i e
college shall become effective only upon tire determination and declaration by 
the CHED, based on tire recommeirdation of a panel of experts, tlrat the 
institution has complied with tire requirements for a college status. The 
CHED, through its regional office, shall regularly provide technical assistance 
to the institution and monitor compliance with the requirements of the 
Commission.
The institution shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act, unless 
in the meantime it is able to comply with tire requirements provided herein, 
within a period not beyond January 1, 2019.
SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, in consultation 
wiiii tire CHED, shaii foriiiuiaie iite guideiiires to fuiiy implement the 
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 27. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this 
Act is declared iiivalid or iniconstitvtional tiie remaining parts or provisions 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential degrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulatioirs contrary to or iircoirsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordiiigly.
SEC. 29. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication iii the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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