March 12, 2024
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No.____________ 
Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN 
AN ACT CONVERTING SAMAR NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADE (SNSAT) IN 
THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAFT, PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR INTO EASTERN 
SAMAR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE (ESPSC) DEFINING ITS POWERS, 
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled. 
Section 1. Conversion. - The present SAMAR NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADE 
in (SNSAT) in Taft, Eastern Samar, is hereby converted into EASTERN SAMAR 
POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE (ESPSC), hereinafter referred to as Polytechnic State 
College. 
Section 2. Purpose. – The Polytechnic State College shall primarily offer professional and 
technical instructions and trainings in both the graduate and the undergraduate levels in the 
fields of engineering, education, arts and sciences, trade and the arts. It shall offer technical and 
vocational courses in welding technology, vocational technology, fishery technology, hotel and 
restaurant services, hotel and household services, baking technology, electronic services and 
repair. 
The Polytechnic State College shall undergraduate, graduate and short-term technical 
courses within its area of specialization as the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry 
out its objectives, particularly in order to meet the needs of the Province. 
Section 3. Powers of the Polytechnic College. – The Polytechnic State College will have the 
structure and   powers of  a  higher educational institution, geared towards the  development  of 
technical education and skills development goals of the country, particularly in developing and 
strengthening the country’s labor force, professionals and technical expertise. 
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The Polytechnic State College shall have the general powers of a corporation sets forth 
in Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 as amended, otherwise known as the “Corporation Code of the 
Philippines”. The administration of the Polytechnic State College and the exercise of its 
corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees. 
 
Section 4. The Governing Board; Manner of Appointment. 
 
a)  The governing body of the Polytechnic State College shall be the Board of Trustees, 
hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the following: 
 
1. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Chairperson; 
2. President of the Polytechnic State College, Vice Chairperson; 
3. Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or 
a duly authorized representative, member; 
4. Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) or a duly 
authorized representative, member; 
5. President of the faculty association of the Polytechnic State College, member; 
6. President of the student council of the Polytechnic State College, member; 
7. President of alumni association of the Polytechnic State College, member; 
8. Two (2) prominent citizens who have excelled in their professions or fields of 
specializations chosen from among a list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the 
Province of Eastern Samar, as recommended by the search committee constituted by 
the President of the Polytechnic State College in consultation of with the 
Chairperson of the CHED based on the normal standards and qualifications for the 
position. The two (2) private sector representatives shall be appointed by the Board 
upon the recommendation of the duly constituted search committee. The Province of 
Eastern Samar shall be represented in the search committee. 
 
b) Term of Office – The president of the faculty and alumni associations and the student 
trustees shall sit in the Board until the expiration of their terms of office in such 
capacities. The prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date 
of appointment.  
 
Section 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 and 
the exercise of all powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation under existing 
laws: 
 
a) To promulgate rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to carry out 
the purpose and functions of the Polytechnic State College; 
 
b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the 
Polytechnic State College in the manner it may determine, in its discretion, to carry out 
the purposes and functions of the Polytechnic State College; 
 
c) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all 
kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit of the 
Polytechnic State College, subject to limitations, directions and instructions of the 
donor, if any. Such donations shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be 
considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the computation of the 
income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal 


Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended. Provided, that such donations shall not be disposed 
of, transferred or sold; 
 
d) To fix tuition and other school necessary school fees and charges including 
matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees as the Board may deem proper to 
impose after due consultations with the involved sectors; 
 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other incomes 
generated by the Polytechnic State College, shall constitute special trust funds and shall 
be deposited in any authorized government depositary bank, and all interests that shall 
accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund for the use of the Polytechnic State 
College. 
 
Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary 
notwithstanding, income generated by the Polytechnic State College from tuition and 
other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and loan grants, shall 
be retained by the Polytechnic State College, and may be disposed by the Board for 
instruction, research, extension, or other programs and projects of the Polytechnic State 
College. Provided, that all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for 
which they are collected. 
 
If for its reasons beyond its control, the Polytechnic State 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 and the objectives and goals of the Polytechnic State College; 
 
e) To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees for greater 
access by destitute but deserving students; 
 
f) To authorize the construction or repair of the buildings, equipment and other facilities, 
and purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including necessary 
supplies, materials and equipment. Purchases and other transactions entered into by the 
Polytechnic State College through the Board shall be exempted from all taxes and 
duties; 
 
g) To appoint upon the recommendation of the President of the Polytechnic State College, 
vice president, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and other 
officials and employees; 
 
h) To fix and adjust the salaries of the faculty members and administrative officials and 
employees subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position 
Classification System, as amended, 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 regulations as it may promulgate, 
any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding; and to remove them for 
cause in accordance with the requirements of the due process of law; 
 
i) To approve curricula, institutional programs and rules of discipline drawn by the 
administrative and academic councils as herein provided; 
 
j) To test policies on admission, graduation and certification of students; 


 
k) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of outstanding contribution in 
the field of education, public service, arts, science and technology or any field of 
specialization within the academic competence of the Polytechnic State College and to 
authorize the award of certificates of completion of non-degree and non-traditional 
courses; 
 
l) To absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Eastern Samar in 
coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and 
Management, and to offer therein needed programs or courses, to promote and carry out 
equal access to educational opportunities mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution; 
 
m) To establish research and extension centers of the Polytechnic State College where such 
will promote to the development of the latter; 
 
n) To provide scholarship grants to qualified students; 
 
o) To delegate its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the President or other 
officials of the Polytechnic State College as it may deem appropriate so as to expedite 
the administration and affairs of the institution; 
 
p) To authorize an external management audit of the institution, to be financed by the 
CHED and to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes on the basis 
of the audit results and recommendations; 
 
q) To collaborate with CHED, TESDA and other governing boards of state universities and 
colleges within the region, under the supervision of CHED and in consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management in the restructuring of the Polytechnic State 
College to become more efficient, relevant, productive and competitive in producing 
professional technologists and technicians; 
 
r) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable development 
and management of the assets of the Polytechnic State College, by which, the proceeds 
thereof will be used for development and strengthening of the institution; 
 
s) To develop partnerships and other forms of linkages with local government units, 
institutions and agencies, both public and private, local or foreign in furtherance of the 
purposes and objectives of the Polytechnic State College; 
 
t) To develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate 
institutions and agencies, public or private, local or foreign, and to appoint experts and 
specialists as consultants, or visiting or exchange professors, scholars, researchers,, as 
the case may be; 
 
u) To set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge such 
as the use of information technology, open learning, community laboratory and 
competency-based training for the promotion of greater access to higher education, 
professional and technological education and skills development; 
 
v) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making and 
transparency within the Polytechnic State College; 
 


w) To privatize, where most advantageous to the Polytechnic State College, management 
and non-academic services such as health, food, property maintenance and similar other 
activities; and  
 
x) To extend beyond the age of retirement of the President of the Polytechnic State College 
but not more than the age of seventy (70) years old and whose performance has been 
unanimously rated as outstanding upon the recommendation of the Search Committee. 
 
 
Section 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies. – The Board shall promulgate 
and implement in accordance with the declared state policies with education and other 
pertinent provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on education, science and 
technology, arts, culture and sports; as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the 
CHED under R.A. 7722 and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority 
(TESDA). 
 
Section 7. Board Meetings; Quorum. -  The Board shall regularly convene once every 
quarter of the year. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees may call a special meeting 
whenever necessary. Provided, that members are notified in writing at least three (3) days 
prior to the scheduled meeting. 
 
A majority of all members shall constitute a quorum. Provided, that the Chairperson of the 
Board of the CHED or the President of the Polytechnic State College is among those 
present in the meeting. In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED a duly designated 
Commissioner of the CHED shall represent the meeting with all the rights and 
responsibilities of a regular member. Provided, however, that the President 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 to 
the Board of the Polytechnic State College, in which case, said CHED Commissioner shall 
act as the presiding officer. The members shall serve without compensation but they shall be 
reimbursed for the necessary expenses incurred in their attendance in the meetings or in 
connection with their official business authorized by a Board Resolution subject to existing 
rules and regulations. 
 
Section 8. Administration. – The administration of the Polytechnic State College shall be 
vested in the President who shall render a full-time service. The President shall be appointed 
by the Board upon the recommendation of the duly constituted search committee. The 
President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for 
another term.  
 
The President shall be assisted by a vice president for academic affairs who shall be 
appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President without prejudice to the 
appointment of more than one (1) vice president when so warranted.  
 
Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of the incumbent President, the 
Board shall create a search committee for the presidency.  
 
In case of vacancy by reasons of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for 
cause or incapacity to perform the functions of the office, the Board shall have the authority 
to designate an officer-in-charge of the Polytechnic State College within six (6) months 
from the date of vacancy pending the appointment of a new President. 
 


In case of vacancy in the Office of the President as mentioned in the immediately preceding 
paragraph, the successor shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term. 
 
The powers and duties of the President in addition to those specifically provided in this Act 
shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of other higher educational 
institutions. 
 
The salary of the President shall be in accordance with the Revised Compensation and 
Position Classification System, as modified by a Joint Resolution No. 4 dated on June 17, 
2009 and other pertinent budget and compensation laws. 
 
Section 9. The Secretary. – The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as such for 
both the Polytechnic State College and the Board. The Secretary is tasked to keep all the 
records of the Board. 
 
Section 10. The Treasurer. -  The Treasurer of the Republic of the Philippines shall be the 
ex-officio Treasurer of the Polytechnic State College. 
 
Section 11. The Administrative Council. – There shall be an administrative council 
consisting the President as a Chairperson; the vice president, deans, and other officials of 
equal ranks shall be members whose duty is to review and to recommend to the Board, all 
policies governing the administration, management and development planning of the 
institution. 
 
Section 12. The Academic Council. – There shall be an academic council consisting of the 
President of the Polytechnic State College as Chairperson, vice-president and all members 
of the instructional staff with the rank not lower than assistant professors as members. The 
academic council shall have the power to review and to recommend the curricular offerings 
and rules of discipline of the Polytechnic State College for the approval of the Board. It 
shall fix the requirements for admission to Polytechnic State College as well as for 
graduation and conferring of certificates and diplomas subject to review and approval by the 
Board through the President.  
 
Section 13. The Academic Freedom. – Pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution it states that all institutions of higher learning, private or 
public shall enjoy academic and institutional autonomy. 
 
Section 14. Admission and Scholarships. – No student shall be denied admission to the 
Polytechnic State College by reason of gender, nationality, religion, cultural or community 
affiliation, ethnic origin or political affiliation. 
 
 
The Polytechnic State College shall provide a scholarship program and other subsidies 
to assist poor but deserving students who are qualified for admission. 
 
Section 15. The Faculty. – No religious opinion or affiliations, political beliefs, gender, 
preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin shall be a matter of inquiry in 
the appointment of faculty members of the Polytechnic State College: Provided, however, 
that no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or religious 
sect. 
 


Section 16. Development Plan; Management Audit; Organizational, Administrative and 
Academic Structure. – Within the period of one hundred twenty (120) days following the 
approval of the Act, the Polytechnic State College shall accomplish the following: 
 
a) Submit a five-year (5) development plan, including the budget programs to the 
CHED and TESDA for corresponding recommendation to the Department of Budget 
and Management; 
 
b) Undergo a management update with CHED and TESDA; and 
 
c) Set-up its organizational, administrative as well as the academic structure including 
the key officials of the institution. 
 
Section 17. Transfer of Assets. – All assets, real or personal properties and personnel 
records of SNSAT based in the Municipality of Taft, Province of Eastern Samar as well as its 
liabilities and obligations are hereby transferred to the Eastern Samar Polytechnic State 
College. The position, rights and security of tenure of all personnel therein employed under 
existing laws shall be respected. 
 
All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the SNSAT are hereby 
declared to be the properties of the Polytechnic State College and shall be titled under its 
name. 
 
Section 18. Loan of Equipment. – The heads of bureaus and offices of the national 
government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer upon request of the President such as 
apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the Polytechnic State College, and to 
detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head or bureau or office, such 
apparatus, equipment or supplies of such employees can be spared without serious detriment 
to public service. Detailed employees shall perform duties as required by the President and 
the time so employed shall be counted as part of their regular services. 
 
Section 19. Auditing. – All accounts and expenses of the Polytechnic State College shall be 
audited by the Commission on Audit or its duly authorized representatives. 
 
Section 20. Filing of Report. – Not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the second month 
after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file with the Office of the 
President of the Philippines, through CHED and TESDA and to both Houses of Congress, a 
detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs of the Polytechnic State College. 
 
Section 21. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be charged against the current appropriations of the SNSAT. Thereafter, such sums as may 
be necessary for the continued operations and maintenance of the Polytechnic State College 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act in the current appropriations of 
the CHED. 
 
Section 22. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
memoranda, rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
Section 23. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full 
force and effect. 


Section 24. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved.