Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 23 57

Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to rename and convert the Baao Community College located in Barangay San
Juan, Municipality of Baao, Province of Camarines Sur into a state college to be known as
Rinconada State College.

Section 2, Article IV of the 1987 Constitution states that: “The State shall establish, maintain,
and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs
of the people and society.” Further, in accordance with the with Section 13 of the Local
Government Code, the Local Government Unit may change the name of public schools and
only upon the recommendation of the Local School Board (LSB) concemed. Accordingly,
under the revised guidelines of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,
Proposed names of public schools, among others, “must have historical and cultural
significance and must contribute to the positive development of national pride through good
example exhibited by the name being used.”

Baao Community College was established and funded in 2000 by the Province of Camarines
Sur to address the growing needs of the locality for an affordable and accessible tertiary
education. This representation deems it fitting to rename and convert the school to Rinconada
State College as a gesture of recognizing the distinct culture of the people in the Sth District
of Camarines Sur which is known as the Rinconada district. Likewise, to give its people a
sense of empowerment and liberation.

“Rinconada’ is the language that originated, developed, and is primarily spoken in the 5"
District of Camarines Sur. According to a study, ninety percent (20%) of the Rinconada district
is speaking the language." A language is not just a means of communication but a way for
values, social practices, and traditions to be passed down for generations.

This bill not only aims to highlight the importance of Rinconada in the culture and history of
the Bicol Region but also strengthen the efforts of the country to preserve and promote the
local community languages which are deemed critical in safeguarding the Filipino heritage and
development of the culture in various communities in the country.

* http://apjeas. apjmr. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/APJEAS-2020.7.4.2.05.pdf


The immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

MIGUEL LUJS R. VILLAFUERTE

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Republic of the Dhilippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _2357

_  eSeSeFFeFeSeSeseseseSSeSe
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE

—_—

AN ACT RENAMING AND CONVERTING THE BAAO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAAO, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR INTO A
STATE COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS RINCONADA STATE COLLEGE,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Renaming and Conversion of the Baao Community College. - The
Baao Community College located in the Municipality of Baao, Province of Camarines
Sur, is hereby renamed and converted into a state college to be known as Rinconada
State College (RSC) hereinafter referred to as the College. Its main campus shall be
in the Municipality of Baao

SECTION 2. General Mandate. -The College shall primarily provide advance studies
and research, higher professional and technical instructions and training in science
and technology, education, and other related fields. It shall also undertake research
and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its areas of
specialization in the Province of Camarines Sur and in Region V.

SECTION 3. Curricular Offerings. -The College shall offer undergraduate, graduate
and short-term technical courses within its areas of competence and specialization, as
the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, and for the
human resource development needs of the Province of Camarines Sur and in Region
V.

The College, if it has a College of Education, may adopt public elementary and
secondary schools in the Province of Camarines Sur to serve as pilot centers for
innovative teaching and learning strategies and approaches.

SECTION 4. Administration. -The College shall have the general powers of a
Corporation set forth in Batas Pambansa Big. 68, as amended, otherwise known as


‘The Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the College and the
exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees,
and in the President of the College, insofar as authorized by the Board.

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 Education (CHED) and the
President of the College, respectively, and 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;

Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA);

Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA);

f) President of the faculty associations of the College;

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i) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished

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President of the student councils of the College;

President of the alumni associations of the College;

themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.

The two (2) prominent citizens shall be chosen from the list of at least five (5) qualified
persons in the Province of Camarines Sur, as recommended by the search committee
constituted by the College President, and in consultation with the Chairperson of the
CHED, and the 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
appointment.

Membership in the governing board of the President of the faculty association, the
President of the student council and the President of the alumni association shall be
coterminous with their terms of office as provided under their respective terms of office
as set forth in their respective constitutions and bylaws.

SECTION 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 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",

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. -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, the Board shall have the following
specific powers and duties:

a) Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the

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purposes and functions of the College;

Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn
by the Administrative and the Academic Councils herein provided;

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;

Fix and adjust the 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; 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 remove them for cause in accordance with the
requirements of due process of law;

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 concerned sectors. The fees and
charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the
College, shall constitute its special trust funds, and shall be deposited in any
authorized government depository bank, 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 services or other programs and 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


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reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for
the attainment of the objectives and goals of the College;

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”,

Establish professorial chairs in the College and provide fellowships for
qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;

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;

Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;

Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding
contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and
technology, agriculture or any field of specialization within the academic
competence of the College, and authorize the awarding of certificates of
completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses;

Establish research and extension centers to promote the development of the
College;

Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability-building with
appropriate public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies, and
appoint experts/specialists as consultants, _part-time/visiting/exchange
professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;

Adopt modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for the
promotion of greater access to education such as the use of information
technology, dual training system, open distance learning, and community
laboratory;

Collaborate with the governing boards of the state universities and colleges
(SUCs) within the Province of Camarines Sur and in Region V, under the
supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM), in restructuring the College to make it more efficient,
relevant, productive and competitive;

‘Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Camarines
Sur and in Region V as branches and extension/external centers, in
coordination with the CHED, and in consultation with the DBM, and offer


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therein programs or Courses to promote and carry out equal access to
educational opportunities, as mandated by the Constitution;

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;

Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local
government units (LGUs), Public, private, local and foreign institutions and
agencies in the furtherance of the Purposes and objectives of the College;

Import economic, technical and cultural books and Publications;

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;

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;

Authorize the construction or Fepair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and
other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including
the necessary supplies, materials and equipment;

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 unanimous recommendation
has been decided by the search committee;

Delegate any of its powers and duties provided 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;

Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making
and transparency within the College:

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


z) 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 once every
quarter. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, upon three (3) days’ prior written
notice, call a maximum of two (2) special meetings whenever necessary within the
year.

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 the Chairperson of the Board or the
President of the College is among those present in the meeting

In the absence of the Chairperson of the CHED, 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, 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 Chairperson of
the Board, in which case said CHED Commissioner shall act as the presiding officer.

In case the Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees on Education shall not be
able to attend the meeting, they may designate their respective representatives who
shall have the same rights and responsibilities as the regular members 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 the meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business
authorized by resolutions of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

SECTION 9. The College President. -The College shall be headed by a President
who shall render full-time service. The President shall be appointed by the Board,
subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board, upon the
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.

The College President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for
reappointment to another term: Provided, That this proviso notwithstanding, and in
order to effect a smooth transition to a state college, the incumbent administrator of
the Baao Community College, if qualified, shall serve as the first President of the
College. The remaining term of the incumbent administrator of the Baao Community
College shall be considered as the first term as College President


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.

|n 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 designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the
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 or the OIC shall serve only during 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 by such other laws amendatory thereto, which may
hereinafter be enacted, 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 the
recommendation of the President.

SECTION 10. 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
implement the policies governing the administration, management, and development
of the College, as approved by the Board.

SECTION 11. Academic Council. -There shall be an Academic Council composed of
the President of the College, who shall act as Chairperson, and all members of the
academic staff with the rank of not lower than 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 appropriate action by 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 also have disciplinary powers 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 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 Board
meetings.

SECTION 13. The Treasurer of the College. -The Treasurer of the Philippines shail
be the ex officio treasurer of the College.

SECTION 14. Faculty. -No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community
affiliation or ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be the matter of inquiry
in the appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, however, That said
appointment shall be subject to the 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. 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

SECTION 16. Scholarship Programs/Admission. -The College shall provide
scholarship programs 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, nationality,
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin.

SECTION 17. Authority to Lend, or Transfer Apparatus/ Equipment/Supplies and
Detail of Personnel. -The heads of the bureaus and offices of the national
government are hereby authorized to lend and/or transfer, upon the request of the
President of the College, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed
by the College, and 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 service

SECTION 18. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. -All assets, real and personal,
personnel and records of the Baao Community College, as well as its liabilities or
obligations, are hereby transferred to the College: Provided, That the positions, rights
and security of tenure of the academic staff and personnel therein employed under

10


existing laws prior to the conversion of the Baao Community College into a State
College shall be respected: Provided, finally, That the College shall also accordingly
upgrade or increase its human resource component.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Baao Community
College are hereby declared the property of the College and shall be titled under its
name: Provided, That should the College cease to exist or be abolished or would no
longer need such aforementioned parcels of land, the title to said parcels of land shall
be transferred to the local government of Baao, Province of Camarines Sur.

SECTION 19. 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
and used actually, directly and exclusively by it, shall be exempt from the donor's tax
and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of
the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997, as amended.

SECTION 20. Compliance with CHED Requirements. -The provisions of this Act
notwithstanding, the conversion 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 in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-Based and
Typology-Based Quality Assurance): Provided, That the panel may issue such
recommendation when the institution has substantially complied with the requirements
for the grant of college status.

The following requirements for a college, as established by the CHED, shall be
complied with

a) The College shall possess full-time permanent faculty members who have the
relevant degrees as required by the CHED and experience in the subject areas
they handle;

b) The College shall offer 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;

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Specific natural science, social Science, humanities, and Professional
disciplines offered by the College, including laboratories, books and journals,
etc.;

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The College shall maintain links with the community that would ensure the
development of relevant academic and extension programs as well as the
application of their 'earning outcomes; and

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knowledge within actual Social and human experiences.

The CHED, through its regional Office, shall regularly provide technical assistance to
the institution and Monitor compliance with the Fequirements of the Commission.

The institution shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able to
comply with the requirements provided herein,

SECTION 21. Development Plan, Management Audit, Organizational/
Administrative / Academic ‘Structure. -Within a 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 program budget to the
CHED, for Corresponding recommendation to the DBM;

b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with the CHED;

c) Set up its organizational, administrative, as well as academic structure,
including the appointment of key officials of the College; and

d) Set in motion the establishment of at least four (4) separate degree-granting
Units, one of which is in the arts and Sciences, and another unit for nondegree
technical-vocational education and training.

SECTION 22. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second
month after the opening of the Tegular 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.


SECTION 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.

SECTION 24. Parity Clause. - 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 its officials whenever
appropriate.

SECTION 25. Appropriations. -The amount Necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s funding of the
Baao Community College provided by the Province of Camarines Sur. The province
Shall continue to provide the same funding to the Baao Community College
corresponding to the funding given before the same is converted into the Rinconada
State College until such time that the full funding requirement of the Rinconada State
College is included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, formulate the
Guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 27. 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 shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 28. Repealing Clause. -All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations Contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 29. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.