Sulu State College Officially Transforms into State University Through Legislative Action
Sulu State College has been formally converted into a state university following the enactment of Republic Act No. 12296, significantly strengthening access to higher education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This development represents a major advancement for educational opportunities in the region.
Legislative Journey and Constitutional Process
The transformation was formalized through the Sulu State University Charter, which lapsed into law on September 15, 2025. Under Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution, a bill automatically becomes law if the President fails to act on it within 30 days after submission for approval.
The measure, titled “An Act Converting the Sulu State College in the Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu, Into a State University to be Known as the Sulu State University and Appropriating Funds Therefor,” underwent a comprehensive legislative process:
- Passed by the House of Representatives on November 22, 2023
- Amended by the Senate on June 3, 2025
- Concurred in by the House on June 9, 2025
- Subsequently published in the Official Gazette
This completed a years-long legislative effort to elevate the institution’s status and expand its educational mandate.
Leadership Perspectives and Institutional Impact
Prof. Charisma Samparani-Ututalum, the university’s first president, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “This development marks a significant milestone for the institution and the people of Sulu,” she stated, highlighting how the elevation to university status opens broader opportunities for academic growth, research advancement, and community development across the Bangsamoro region.
The transition will enable the institution to:
- Expand its academic programs significantly
- Strengthen its research agenda and capabilities
- Enhance extension services for local communities
- Produce graduates equipped to meet regional and national development needs
Ututalum added that this strengthened mandate will allow more students in Sulu to access quality education closer to home, promoting long-term peace, stability, and socio-economic progress throughout the region.
Legislative Champions and Educational Support
The legislative effort behind the conversion was spearheaded by Samier Tan, principal author of House Bill No. 9334, with support from Alan Peter Cayetano, who sponsored the measure in the Senate. Earlier versions of the bill were also championed by Shernee Tan, reflecting sustained efforts across multiple Congresses to achieve university status.
During the institution’s 44th founding anniversary on March 28, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening higher education institutions nationwide. CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis highlighted the agency’s continued push to support schools in underserved areas, ensuring that quality education becomes more accessible to Filipino learners, particularly in Mindanao and BARMM.
Agrupis underscored that upgrading state colleges into universities forms part of a broader effort to decentralize higher education and empower regional institutions to become hubs of innovation and development. She noted that institutions like Sulu State University are crucial in producing professionals who can directly respond to the needs of their communities.
Historical Context and Future Directions
Founded in 1924 as Sulu High School during the American period, the institution has undergone several transformations:
- Became Dayang Hadji Piandao Memorial High School in 1963
- Merged with Jolo Community College in 1982 to form Sulu State College
- Achieved university status in 2025 through legislative action
Over the decades, the institution has played a vital role in providing accessible education in Sulu, particularly for students facing geographic and economic barriers. Its programs have traditionally focused on teacher education, agriculture, and technical-vocational training—fields essential to local development and regional progress.
Jude Avorque Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, emphasized the importance of leadership in achieving this milestone, particularly commending Ututalum’s role. “Your visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. You have truly paved the way for the youth to reach even greater heights,” Acidre stated, highlighting how this transformation creates new pathways for educational advancement throughout the Bangsamoro region.
