Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
By virtue of Republic Act 7228 which was approved on March 16, 1992, the 
Province of Sarangani was created, making it the 76th out of the 82 provinces in the 
Philippines. Its unique geographic location, i.e., bisected by General Santos City and 
the Sarangani Bay and being at the southernmost part of the country, makes it a prime 
convergence point for the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-
Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) region. 
   Over the years, Sarangani Province has continuously improved its economy 
through its agriculture, aquaculture, mariculture and tourism potentials. Despite 
several challenges especially the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarangani reported an 
increase in new business registration from 2,266 in 2019 to 2,674 in 
2020. Capital Infusion also increased from P16.1B to over P19 billion during the 
same timeframe. Due to the multi-sectoral efforts of both private and public 
institutions, the province became the country's 18th most competitive province in 
2021 according to the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Cities and 
Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) which measures economic dynamism, 
government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency. 
Sarangani has a lot more to offer to regional and national development, hence, 
having a state college would greatly benefit the province by making quality tertiary 
education more accessible thereby producing well-educated youth whose knowledge 
and skills are necessary to contribute to economic growth in the province. 
This measure aims to establish Sarangani State College in the capital town of 
Alabel, 
with 
the 
following 
general 
mandates: 
to 
provide 
advanced instruction and research in agriculture and fisheries, allied sciences, 
education, arts, and the related sciences; to provide extension services, undertake 
projects and programs; and provide necessary instructional and research leadership 
for the progress of the Province of Sarangani and the entire SOCCSKSARGEN 
Region. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
    STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON 
    Representative 
   Lone District of Sarangani Province 
December 7, 2022
1:41 pm
6566


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE SARANGANI STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY 
OF ALABEL, PROVINCE OF SARANGANI, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Establishment - There is hereby established a state college in the 
Municipality of Alabel, Province of Sarangani, to be known as the Sarangani State 
College, hereinafter referred to as the College. Its main campus shall be located in the 
same municipality. 
Section 2. General Mandate. - The College shall primarily provide advance 
instruction and research in agriculture and fisheries, education, marine and maritime 
studies, engineering, and arts and sciences. It shall also undertake extension and 
development programs, and provide the necessary instructional and research 
leadership in agricultural, environmental, and technological development in the 
Province 
of 
Sarangani 
and 
in 
Region 
XII. 
Section 3. Curricular Offerings. - The College shall offer undergraduate and 
graduate courses in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, engineering, education, arts 
and sciences, and other degree courses within its areas of specialization and 
according to its capabilities, as the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry 
out its objectives and in order to meet the needs of the Province of Sarangani and of 
Region XII. 
Section 4.  Administration. - The College shall have the general powers of a 
corporation set forth in Republic Act No. 11232 otherwise known as the 
"Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines." The administration of the 
College and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively on 
the Board of Trustees and the President of the College. 
Section 5.  The Governing Board. - The governing board of the College shall be 
the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be 
chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher 
6566


Education (CHED) and the President of the College, respectively, with the 
following as members: 
a) Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the
Senate; 
b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of
the House of Representatives; 
c) Regional Director of the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA); 
d) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
e) Regional Director of the TESDA;
f) President of the federation of faculty associations of the College;
g) President of the federation of student councils of the College;
h) President of the federation of alumni association of the College; and
i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have
distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization of the 
College. The Board shall appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from among a 
list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Sarangani, as 
recommended by the search committee to be constituted by the College 
President, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and other members 
of the Board, based on the normal standards and qualifications of the position. 
The two (2) prominent citizens shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the 
date of appointment. 
Section 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Poiicies. - The Board 
shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies on education and other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on 
education, agriculture, fisheries, 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." 
Section 7. 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 the powers granted to the board of 
directors of a corporation under existing laws: 
a) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline
drawn by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided; 
b) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the College,
the vice presidents, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, 
and other officials and employees of the College; 
c) Fix and adjust the salaries of faculty members, administrative officials
and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and 
Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation 
laws governing hours of service and such other duties and conditions as it may 
deem proper; to grant them, at its discretion, leaves of absence under such 


regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the 
requirements of due process of law; 
d) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as 
matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may 
deem proper to impose, after due consultation with the involved sectors. The 
fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated 
by the College, shall constitute special trust funds, and shall be deposited in 
any authorized government depository bank, and all interests that shall accrue 
therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the College. Any 
provision of existing law, rules, or 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; Provided, however, That if, for reasons beyond 
its control, the College shall not be able to pursue any project for which the 
funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program of 
expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said funds for any 
reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for 
the attainment of the objectives and goals of the College; 
e) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school 
fees for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with 
Republic Act 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, fisheries or any field of specialization within the 
academic competence of the College, and to authorize the awarding of 
certificates of completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses; 
j) Establish research and extension centers to promote the development 
of the College; 
k) Develop academic arrangements for institution capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private and local and 
foreign, and appoint experts/specialists as consultants; part-time, visiting or 
exchange professors, scholars, 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, the dual training system, open distance learning, and community 
laboratory, among others; 
m) Collaborate with the governing boards of the state universities and 
colleges (SUCs) within the Province of Sarangani, under the supervision of the 
CHED, 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 
Sarangani as branches and centers, in coordination with the CHED, and in 
consultation with the DBM, to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, 
as mandated by the Constitution; 
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 
(COA), and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the 
basis of the audit results and recommendations; 
p) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with both local 
government units (LCDs), institutions and agencies, both public and 
private and local and foreign, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives 
of the College; 
q) Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications; 
r) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable 
development and management of the economic assets of the College, the 
proceeds from which shall be used for the development and strengthening of 
the College; 
s) 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; 
t) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real 
property, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
u) 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 been rated by the Board as outstanding, and after unanimous 
recommendation by the search committee; 
v) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President and other 
officials of the College, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the 
administration of the affairs of the College; 
w) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-
making and transparency within the College; 
x) Where most advantageous to the College, privatize the management 
of nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance, and such other similar activities; and 
y) Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the College. 


 
Section 8. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene at 
least once every quarter. However, the Chairperson of the Board may, upon 
three (3) days' prior written notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings 
whenever necessary. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of all its 
members holding office at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, that 
either the Chairperson of the Board or the President of the College must be 
present in the meeting. In the absence of the CHED Chairperson, a 
Commissioner of the CHED duly designated by the CHED Chairperson as 
representative in the meeting, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a 
regular member: Provided, however, that during the meeting, the President of 
the 
College, 
as 
Vice 
Chairperson, 
shall 
be 
the 
Presiding 
Officer: Provided, further. That this provision notwithstanding, the Chairperson 
of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the 
regular Chairperson of the Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall 
act as the Presiding Officer. In case the Chairpersons of the House and Senate 
Committees on Education shall not be able to attend the Board meeting, they 
may designate their respective representatives to attend the 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 in 
attending the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business 
authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations. 
 
Section 9. The College President - The President shall serve for a term 
of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term. Within 
six (6) months from the date of approval of this Act, the Board shall constitute 
the Search Committee for the Presidency. 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 OIC of the College 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 
or the OIC shall serve only for 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 as modified by Joint 
Resolution No. 4 dated June 17, 2009 and other pertinent budget and 
compensation laws, 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 a Vice President for 
Administration, who shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of 
the President.  
 


Section 10. The Administrative Council- There shall be an Administrative 
Council consisting of the President of the College, as Chairperson, and the vice 
presidents, deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank, as members 
whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board the policies governing the 
administration, management and development plan of the College. 
30 Sec. 11. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council to be 
31 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 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 the conferment of 
degrees, subject to review and approval by the Board through the President of 
the College. It shall have the disciplinary power over students of the College 
and shall formulate academic policies and rules and regulations on discipline, 
subject to the approval of the Board. 
 
Section 12. The Secretary of the College. - The Board shall appoint a 
Secretary, who shall serve as such for both the Board and the College, and who 
shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board in addition to other duties 
and responsibilities. The Secretary shall serve upon each member of the Board 
the appropriate notice of the Board meetings. 
 
Section13. The Treasurer of the College. - The Treasurer of the 
Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the College. 
 
Section 14. The Faculty. - No political belief, 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, however, that said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, 
qualifications and standards set by the Board: Provided, further. That no 
member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or religious 
sect. 
 
Section 15. Scholarship Program / Admission. - The College shall provide 
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. 
 
Section 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The 
College shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to 
paragraph Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution. 
 
Section 17. 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 may 
be 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 the 
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 service. 
 
Section 18. Development Plan, Management Audit / Organizational / 
Administrative / Academic Structure. - Within the period of one hundred twenty 
(120) days after the approval of this Act, the College shall accomplish the 
following: 
a) Submit a five (5) - year development plan, including its corresponding 
program budget to the CHED, for corresponding recommendation to the 
DBM; 
b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED; and 
c) Accordingly set up its organizational, administrative, as well as 
academic structure, including the appointment of the College key officials. 
 
Section 19. Compliance with CHED Requirements. - The provisions of 
this Act notwithstanding, the establishment of the institution into a state college 
shall become effective only upon the determination and declaration by the 
CHED, based on the recommendation of a panel of experts it shall constitute 
for the purpose, that the institution has complied with the requirements for a 
college status based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, Series of 2012 
(Policy-Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher 
Education Through an Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based: Provided, That 
the panel may issue such a recommendation when the institution has 
substantially complied with the requirements for the grant of status as a state 
college. The following operational requirements for a state college, as 
established by the CHED, shall be complied with: 
 
 a) Full-time permanent faculty members who have the relevant degrees 
as required by the CHED and experience in the subject areas they handle; 
b) Degree programs characterized by a core curriculum that holistically 
develops thinking, problem solving, decision-making, communication, technical, 
and social skills in line with the mission of the College; 
c) Learning resources and support structures that are appropriate for 
developing knowledge and skills in the specific natural science, social science, 
humanities, and professional disciplines offered by the College, including 
laboratories, books and journals, etc.;  
d) Links with the community that would ensure the development of 
relevant academic and extension programs as well as the application for their 
learning outcomes; and 


e) Outreach programs involving students in social-development oriented 
experiences that allow them to contextualize their knowledge within actual 
social and human experiences. 
 
After five (5) years of operation, it shall be evaluated by the CHED to 
determine its compliance with the requirements for a College classification 
according to the horizontal typology of higher education institutions (HEIs). 
Moreover, the College shall undergo the institutional sustainability assessment 
(ISA) process to ensure that an internal quality assurance (IQA) system has 
been established leading to sustainable offering of quality programs and 
services. 
 
Section 20. Annual Report. - On or before 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 the 
Chairperson of the CHED, and with both Houses of Congress, a detailed report 
on the progress, condition and needs of the College. 
 
Section 21. Tax Exemption. - The importation of economic, technical and 
cultural books 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 grants, bequests, 
endowments, 
donations, 
and 
contributions 
made 
to 
the 
College to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the College shall be 
exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be allowed as allowable deductions 
from the gross income of the donor for purposes of computing the taxable 
income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
Sec. 22. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
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 the Governing 
Charter of the College. 
 
Sec. 24. Parity Cause. - All other powers, functions, and privileges, 
responsibilities and limitations to state colleges and their officials under existing 
laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed upon the College and officials, 
whenever appropriate. 
 


Section 25. Implementing Ruies and Regulations. - The Board, in 
consultation with the CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully Implement 
the provisions of the Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. 
 
Section 26. Separability Cause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which 
are 
not 
affected 
thereby 
shall 
remain 
in 
full 
force 
and 
effect. 
 
Section 27. Repealing Cause. -All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, 
or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
Section 28. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,