Gov’t strengthens HEIs with six new laws

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday vowed that his administration will continue to pursue initiatives that will provide Filipino students a more conducive learning environment.

Duterte made the commitment as he witnessed the presentation of six laws on state universities and colleges (SUCs) in a ceremony held at Malacañang Palace’s Rizal Hall.

In his speech, Duterte said the recent signing of Republic Acts (RA) 11574, 11575, 11584, 11585, 11586, and 11587 is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen higher education institutions (HEIs), as well as to improve access to tertiary education.

“These include the conversion of the public higher education institutions into state universities, thereby providing our students with advanced professional instruction and training and a more conducive learning environment, especially those living in the far-flung areas,” he said.

Under RA 11574, Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology in Lagangilag and Bangued municipalities is converted into a state university and will be known as the University of Abra.

RA 11574 renames the Compostela Valley State College in Compostela, Davao de Oro as the Davao de Oro State College, while RA 11584 changes the name of Surigao del Sur State University in Surigao del Sur into North Eastern Mindanao State University.

RA 11585 converts Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology in Naga, Camarines Sur into a state university, renaming it Southeast Asian University of Technology.

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur will now be known as Agusan del Sur State University, according to RA 11586, while RA 11587 renames Occidental Mindoro State College in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Occidental State University.

“From the whole ASSCAT Community, our sincerest thanks to our dearest President Rodrigo Roa Duterte! We are immensely grateful for this success!” the ASSCAT Facebook account posted on August 5.

“Hail Occidental Mindoro State University! Thank you Pres. Rodrigo Duterte,” the school’s Media and Public Relations Facebook account wrote, also on August 5.

Duterte said he is looking forward to seeing students in the SUCs become leaders and professionals.

“To all our students, let me assure you of this administration’s continuing commitment in advancing initiatives that will enable you to excel in your chosen fields of study and reach your full potential,” he said.

Duterte also thanked Congress for helping his administration in fulfilling its goal to bring “prosperous and comfortable lives for Filipinos”.

“The presentation of the newly enacted laws of various state universities and colleges [serves] a testament to the strong cooperation between Congress and this administration in providing our people with equitable and responsive service especially in areas of public safety and higher education,” he said.

Duterte then called on all concerned government agencies to ensure the “full, inclusive, and efficient” implementation of the recently-enacted laws.

“I ask my fellow Filipinos for your continued trust and cooperation with the government as we pursue a brighter and more progressive future for the entire nation,” Duterte said.