Tirso Ronquillo

Ronquillo became the president of Batangas State University in July 2014.^[1] Under his leadership, the university developed the "Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive", a locally made amphibious vehicle designed for disaster response.^[2] Ronquillo served as the project leader for the vehicle's development, which was funded by the Department of Science and Technology.^[2]

He also spearheaded the establishment of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park, the first university-based technology park in the Philippines.^[3] In 2024, his administration launched the LIMA Campus in partnership with Aboitiz Economic Estates to focus on industry-based engineering education.^[4] Under his presidency, the university's student team won the World Championship at the World Robot Olympiad in Singapore in 2025.^[5]

On April 11, 2022, Republic Act No. 11694 was signed into law, declaring Batangas State University as the National Engineering University.^[6] Ronquillo took his oath as the first president under this new charter on July 11, 2022.^[7]

Ronquillo serves as the president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges.^[8] In this role, he lobbies for the budget of 113 state universities before the Congress of the Philippines.^[9] In 2024, he thanked the House of Representatives for securing a ₱128.1 billion budget for SUCs, noting that the funds would support over 1.85 million students.^[8]

On July 6, 2023, Ronquillo took his oath as an executive member of the National Innovation Council (NIC).^[10] He was appointed by the President to represent the academe (academic sector) in the council, which is chaired by the President of the Philippines.^[11]

• Most Outstanding Electronics Engineer in the Academe (2013) – Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines^[1]
• Presidential Award of Recognition (2011)^[1]
• Outstanding Faculty of the Year (2005)^[1]