REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12294 AN ACT CONVERTING THE BAAO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAAO, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR INTO A STATE COLLEGE TO BE KNOWN AS THE RINCONADA STATE COLLEGE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR September 15, 2025

SECTION 1.Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Rinconada State College  Charter".

SEC. 2.Conversion of the Baao Community College. -The Baao Community College located in the Municipality of Baao, Province of Camarines Sur, is hereby converted into a state college to be known as the Rinconada State College (RSC). Its main campus shall be in the Municipality of Baao, Province of Camariner Sur.

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

(a) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education of the Senate;

(b) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives;

(c) Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev);

(d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology;

(e) Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture;

(f) President of the federation of faculty associations of the RSC;

(g) President of the federation of student councils of the RSC;

(h) Representatives of the nonteaching or personnel association of the RSC;

(i) President of the federation of alumni associations of the RSC;  and

(j) Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.

The Board shall appoint two (2) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Camarines Sur where the RSC is located, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the President of the RSC, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the guidelines, qualifications, and standards for the position set by the Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.

The president of the federation of faculty associations, the federation of student councils, the federation of non-teaching personnel associations, and the  federation of alumni associations in the Board shall  be coterminous with their terms of office, as provided under their respective constitutions and by laws.

(a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies and provisions of the Constitution on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”;

(b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided;

(c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the RSC, the vice presidents,  deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and other officials  of the RSC;

(d) Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and employees, subject to the provisions of RA No. 11466, otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization law of 2019", civil service rules and regulations governing hours of service and such other requirements and conditions, and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations;

(e) 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 RSC, shall constitute its funds to be used exclusively in the pursuit of its mandate as a state college, and shall be deposited in any authorized govenrment depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the RSC;

The fees and charges collected by the RSC, including govenrment subsidies and proceeds from other income sources, as well as interests that would accrue therefrom shall be retained by the RSC:Provided,That in no case shall the said income be used for the payment of allowances and other benefits not authorized by law:Provided, further,That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they were collected.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Board may authorize, for such reasonable and legal purposes for which it deems necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives of the RSC, the use of: (i) any unexpended balance whose fiduciary character has beenipso factoremoved pursuant to the grant of subsidy under R No. 10931, otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act"; and/or (ii) any appropriation for any project under the duly approved program of expenditures of the RSC, which the RSC, for reasons beyond its control, would not be able to pursue:Provided,That funds collected from student for specific purposes shall not be realigned or reprogrammed to other expenditures;

(f)  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;

(g) Establish professional chairs in the RSC and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;

(h) Receive appropriate sums as may be provided by law for the support of the RSC, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the RSC;

(i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;

(j) 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 competency of the RSC, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses;

(k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint experts or specialist as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;

(l) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow greater access to education such as the use of information technology, online programs, the dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory;

(m)  Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Camarines Sur and the Bicol Region as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities;

(n) Authorize an external management audit of the RSC, to be financed by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;

(o) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the RSC;

(p) Import books or publications, instruments, equipment, and apparatuses for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, medical, philosophical, historical, legal or cultural purposes;

(q) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry, after consultation with the DEPDev, for the profitable development and management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the RSC;

(r) Receive, in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for the benefit of the RSC and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any;

(t) Delegate any of its powers and duties provided to the President and other officials of the RSC, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the RSC;

(u) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent decision-making within the RSC;

(v) Where most advantageous to the RSC, outsource the management of nonacademic services such as health, food, building, or grounds or property maintenance, and such other similar activities;

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

(x) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and functions of the RSC.

SEC. 8.Meetings of the Board. -The Board shall regularly convene once every three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting whenever necessary:Provided,That members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to the conduct of said meeting.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of 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 RSC is among those present in the meeting.

In case the Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED Commissioner duly assigned by the Chairperson of the CHED as representative to the meeting, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member:Provided,That during the meeting, the President of the RSC, 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, the said CHED Commissioner shall act a the presiding officer.

In case the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education cannot  attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective representatives  who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members of the Board.

The members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either for 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.

SEC. 9.The College President. -The RSC shall be headed by a President who shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines, qualifications and standards, and based on the recommendation of a search committee duly constituted for the purpose of selecting the President.

The RSC President shall render full-time service for four (4) years and may be reappointed to another term.

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the RSC, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency and shall ensure the appointment or reappointment of a President on or before the expiration of the term.

The powers and duties of the President of the RSC, 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 RSC shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 11466,  and by such other laws amendatory thereto which may hereinafter be enacted,  the  joint circular for state universities and colleges' leveling instruments, and guidelines of the CHED and the DBM.

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 designate an Officer-in-Charge of the RSC, pending the appointment of the President.

The President of the RSC shall be assisted by the following officials:  Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Vice President for Research, Extension and Training, who shall all be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the RSC.

SEC. 10.The Secretary of the RSC. -The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as such for both the Board and the RSC and shall keep all records and proceedings of meetings of the Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the RSC shall serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings.

SEC. 11.The Treasurer of the RSC. -The Treasurer of the Philippine shall be theex officioTreasurer of the RSC.

SEC. 12.The Administrative Council. -There shall be an Administrative Council consisting of the President of the RSC, 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 that shall govern the administration, management and development planning of the RSC.

SEC. 13.The Academic Council. -There shall be an Academic Council consisting of the President of the RSC,  as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at lease an assistant profession, as members.

The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules of discipline,  fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their graduation and conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the students and shall formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to review and approval by the Board through the President of the RSC.

SEC. 14.TheFaculty. -No political belief, sex, gender, cultural or community affiliation, ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the RSC:Provided,That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board:Provided, further, That a member of the faculty shall not criticize, vouch for, recruit members in behalf of, or preach about any particular religious denomination.

SEC. 15.Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. -The RSC shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

SEC. 16.Scholarship Programs and Admission. -The RSC shall provide a scholarship programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission to the RSC.

No student shall be denied admission to the RSC by reason of sex, gender, religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, or any other forms of discrimination.

SEC. 17.Loan or Transfer Supplies, Apparatuses, or Equipment, or Detail of Personnel of the RSC. -Heads of  national government agencies and instrumentalities may, upon the request of the Board through the President of the RSC, loan or transfer supplies, apparatuses, or equipment, or detail personnel to the College:Provided,That such loan, transfer or detail shall not be detrimental to public service.

The personnel to be detailed to the College shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the RSC and the time spent for such duties shall be counted as part of the detailed personnel's  regular service.

SEC. 18.Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. -All assets, real and personal, personnel and records of the Baao Community College, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the RSC.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the Baao Community College are declared as property of the RSC, and shall be titled under its name:Provided,that all parcels of land of the RSC shall revert to the original owner or donor, or the Republic of the Philippines, in the event that the RSC ceases to exist or be abolished, or should the said parcels of land be no longer needed by the RSC:Provided, further,That such reversion shall not impair obligation of contracts.

SEC. 19.Duty and Tax Exemptions. -The importation of books or publications, instruments, equipment, and apparatuses, which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, medical, philosophical, historical, legal or cultural purposes made by the RSC, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA No. 10863, otherwise known as "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)".

All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes by the RSC, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be allowed as allowable deduction 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. 20.Compliance with CHED Requirements. -Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the conversion of the Baao Community College 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 constituted for the purpose, that the Baao Community College has complied with the requirements for a state college status based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 or the "Policy Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance in Philippine Higher Education, through the Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based QA":Provided,That the panel may issue such a recommendation when the Baao Community College has substantially complied with the requirements for the grant of state college status.

The following operational requirements for a university, as established by the CHED, shall be complied with:

(a) Employment of full-time, permanent faculty members who posses relevant degrees in their areas of specialization, as required by the CHED, with experience in the subject areas they handle;

(b) Offering of a comprehensive range of 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 RSC;

(c) Establishment of 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 RSC, including laboratories, books and journals;

(d) Maintaining linkages with the community that would ensure the development of relevant academic and extension programs and the application of their learning outcomes; and

(e) Conduct of outreach programs involving students in social development-oriented experiences that allow them to contextualize their knowledge within actual social and human experiences.

The CHED, through its regional office, shall regularly provide technical assistance to the RSC and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the CHED.

The Baao Community College shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able to comply with the requirements provided herein.

SEC. 21.Development Plan and Organizational Structure. -Within a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the RSC shall accomplish the following:

(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its program and budget to the CHED for recommendation to the DBM;

(b) Submit the revised Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) in accordance with RA No. 11396, otherwise known as the "SUCs LUDIP Act";

(c) Undergo a management audit in coordination with the CHED; and

(d) Set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure, including the designation of the key officials and other administrative personnel of the RSC.

SEC. 22.Filing of Report. -On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second (2^nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file a detailed report on its compliance with the requirements for a state college status with the Office of the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the Chairperson of the CHED.

SEC. 23.Suppletory Application. -The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997', shall form part of this Act.

SEC. 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 RSC or its officials, whenever appropriate.

SEC. 25.Appropriations.-The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The Municipality of Baao shall provide the same assistance to the Baao Community College, until such time that the amount necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the RSC shall be included in the annual GAA.

SEC. 26.Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall issue rules and regulations to implement its provisions.

SEC. 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 are in  full force and effect.

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

SEC. 29.Effectivity. -This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in theOfficial Gazetteor in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

 

 

(SGD.)FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO	(SGD.)FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
President of the Senate	Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House of Representatives on November 22, 2023, amended by the Senate of the Philippines on June 9, 2025, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on June 10, 2025.

 

   
 

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.	(SGD.)REGINALD S. VELASCO
Secretary of the Senate	Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: Lapsed into law on SEP 15 2025 without the signature of the President, in                                    accordance with Article VI,  Section 27 (1) of the Constitution

   

   
 

FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.

President of the Philippines